As I mentioned in Part 1 and Part 2 of the 2023 preview, the Red Raiders lost 20 men from the 2022 roster, and they bring back only 18 returners. I know that this time of year the burning question is who will be starting. But at the Red Raider Club Baseball Tailgate Dinner, Head Coach Tim Tadlock spoke to the depth of this team and how much internal competition there will be as the season goes forward.
He also spoke to having the luxury of giving players rest days because of the level of talent that will invariably be in the dugout on any given day. While below I will project where I think some of these players currently sit from a depth perspective, I do expect to see many of them with multiple starts under their belts by the time Tech reaches Big 12 play. We may see some alternating starts over the course of some of the upcoming four-game series as well.
What I project below is not so much who will be in the opening day lineup but more where they sit currently in the depth chart at various positions. One of the most interesting positions to play out this season may be designated hitter. I have a feeling this will be a club that is very offensive one through nine in the lineup and unless someone just locks DH down without question, there are a lot of bats that will be advantageous to work in. There may be a lot of lefty/righty matchup considerations that Tadlock and company can play this season as well.
The MLB grades players on a 20-80 scale, with 80 being elite speed, power, hitting for average, fielding, and arm strength. When you hear or read terms like “plus speed” or “plus-plus power” it is in reference to this. A grade of 60 is plus and 70 and above is plus-plus, Baseball America has a helpful explanatory article HERE. I’ll refer to some of these terms below. Additionally, Perfect Game ranks prospects on a 1-10 scale, where applicable those will be included below as well for reference.
WHO’S NEW IN THE FIELD?
#2 Gage Harrelson, OF
6-3, 180lbs
Kathleen, GA
Bats: L | Throws: L
Grade: 10
Harrelson comes to the Red Raiders from Kathleen, Georgia, only about three and a half miles from Bonaire, the hometown of former Freshman All-American Gabe Holt. He enters as a highly touted recruit with a Perfect Game Grade of 10 and as a Top 150 player nationally. He’s been clocked with 90+ mph velocity from the outfield as well as 80-grade speed with a 6.25 60-yard dash. For comparison, that is 0.12 seconds faster than former Red Raider speedster Max Marusak.
Harrelson has spent his time in scrimmages in both left and center fields and has flashed his arm strength in drills to the plate. As with many freshmen, he is adjusting to college pitching but has still found success at the plate and I expect his bat to continue improving with time.
I’ve enjoyed seeing Harrelson find his footing through scrimmages. He’s a vocal teammate with a ton of upside, including a projectible frame. Like many freshmen, he will benefit greatly from time with the strength and conditioning and nutrition staffs.
I expect Harrelson currently sits as the second option at center field but that’s a pretty loaded guess. Assuming Dillon Carter is the top option there I expect another newcomer, Nolen Hester, to move into heavy contention in left field along with Drew Woodcox. There are a lot of variables to unpack there, and another newcomer, Jeric Curtis, easily figures into the conversation out there as well, but I do see Harrelson as in the mix and I fully expect to see him running down fly balls in some capacity this season.
#3 Tracer Lopez, SS/2B
5-9, 150lbs
Rosebud, TX
Bats: L | Throws: R
Grade: 9
Coming to the Red Raiders out of Cameron Yoe HS, Lopez is an excellent student and used that success to his advantage. He reclassified from the Class of 2023 to 2022, joining Texas Tech in the fall semester. Earning a PG grade of 9 he is a Top 300 player nationally. He has played significant time at shortstop in scrimmages with some time at second base sprinkled in as well. He shows an excellent feel for the shortstop position and utilizes his quickness as well to range for tough stops.
Another lefthanded bat, he brings a solid approach and has seen line-drive success to all fields. But as with many freshmen, he will find continued growth as he sees more at-bats.
I think shortstop is a toss-up currently between Lopez and fellow newcomer Will Burns and I’d expect to see both getting starts early in the season.
#4 Kevin Bazzell, C/3B
6-1, 205lbs
Forney, TX
Bats: R | Throws: R
Grade: 9.5
You can make an argument that Kevin Bazzell isn’t a newcomer to the Red Raiders, but I know for most fans he will be a new name so I’m including him here in Part 3. Bazzell committed to Dallas Baptist University as part of the 2021 recruiting class while at Rockwall-Heath HS, but he left to join Texas Tech in the spring of 2022. He has been with the team but this will be the first season he’s eligible to play.
Coming out of high school Bazzell was a Top 150 player nationally carrying a PG grade of 9.5 and he was listed as the #2 catcher in Texas.
An excellent defender, he’s shown good arm strength behind the plate with a short stroke. Bazzell has put in significant time at third base throughout the scrimmages and on the whole has looked pretty strong, including some really difficult work across the foul line over the final weekend.
Bazzell has seen plenty of success at the plate too. I’ve particularly noticed his fast hands, he squares up the ball often and has flashed big power against good arms.
I think Bazzell is the second option at catcher but I also believe he’s potentially Tech’s everyday third baseman. If that’s the case he may catch at times in a three-man rotation with Hudson White and newcomer Dylan Maxcey. Of all positions, the catchers could be three guys you want in the lineup daily if possible.
#7 Jeric Curtis, OF
6-0, 165lbs
Cypress, TX
Bats: R | Throws: R
Grade: 9.5
Coming to the Red Raiders from Tomball Memorial HS, Jeric Curtis is another highly touted recruit coming in with a Perfect Game grade of 9.5 and listed as a Top 200 player nationally. Another outfielder with elite speed, he’s actually reported at a 6.22 60-yard dash time, 0.03 seconds faster than Gage Harrelson (that’s a foot race I’d like to see). Both of those guys boasted the two fastest times in shuttle drills at the MLB Draft Combine.
Curtis has seen time all around the outfield and has performed pretty well in all positions. Every ballpark has its own nuances that play out in the outfield based on how the ball flies, comes off the wall, etc. which brings a learning curve for every player. I say that because, in my eyes, Curtis has learned quickly and become more and more comfortable.
He has flashed his speed on the basepaths and running down balls in the outfield. At the plate, he is finding ways to get on base whether by barreling up or through other means. His bat has looked better and better over spring scrimmages, a positive sign as he’s facing big arms who are rounding into playing shape.
I think Curtis will also benefit from some time to physically grow and mature, I do think he’ll have opportunities this season to play in various capacities in the outfield and to utilize his speed offensively. As I mentioned with Harrelson above, Curtis is in the mix in the outfield and I think he’ll definitely see opportunities out there this season.
#8 Cade McGarrh, 3B/RHP
6-3, 165lbs
Frisco, TX
Bats: L | Throws: R
Grade: 9.5
Another highly touted guy walking into Rip Griffin Park with a PG grade of 9.5 and as a Top 200 player nationally is Cade McGarrh out of Frisco Liberty HS. A two-way guy who was highly sought after as a shortstop is still testing the waters in the field and on the mound in Texas Tech scrimmages.
He’s seen some time at second base but spends most of his scrimmage time working at third, where I think he is probably Tech’s second option behind Kevin Bazzell. McGarrh has a highly projectible frame but is another who needs some time to develop physically.
He is still an option as a right-handed pitcher as well and has seen some innings in scrimmages. His options to continue throwing remain to be seen but I’d imagine he’ll get some opportunities in relief throughout the season. He’s shown good instincts at 3B but it is a bit of a transition for him moving from playing shortstop in high school.
Third base will be an interesting position to see play out and it’s likely McGarrh does end up with starts and other time there depending on who is catching and how the coaching staff chooses to work the rest days between White and Bazzell.
#13 Gavin Kash, 1B
6-3, 198lbs
Sour Lake, TX
Bats: L | Throws: R
Grade: 9.5
Originally coming out of Monsignor Kelly HS, Gavin Kash played his freshman season for the Texas Longhorns in a limited capacity seeing only 23 at-bats in 2022. A Top 250 player nationally in high school, Kash was the #1 first baseman in Texas in his class for four years straight and I can tell you he can flat-out play the position.
He shows great athleticism off the bag filling the gap and going glove side as well and has picked and stretched well in scrimmages. He’s also brought a solid left-handed bat to the plate and has shown real power as well in the fall. His bat has cooled a bit in the spring making the competition for that position that much more interesting.
I think Kash is the starter at first base on opening day but Damian Bravo has also seen time there in addition to several other positions. I’d be surprised if first isn’t a bag that’s Kash’s to lockdown for the foreseeable future, but as with every other position, there is plenty of internal competition that will continue pushing everyone to be at their best.
#14 Travis Sanders, SS/3B
6-1, 180lbs
Copperas Cove, TX
Bats: R | Throws: R
Grade: 10
According to Justin Apodaca of redraidersports.com, Travis Sanders is the only Top 100 recruit to be drafted and make it to campus in the Tim Tadlock era. A dynamic and exciting player who Perfect Game lists as the #6 player in Texas and #90 nationally, Burns was taken in the 14th round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Boxton Red Sox, but chose to come to Texas Tech.
In fall scrimmages and the Red & Black Series, he showcased big power hitting multiple home runs and seeing extended time at third base. He has been sidelined in the spring with a lower back injury and according to him will be out for several weeks to start the season.
Whether we see Sanders in 2023 or not, he is another exceptional prospect in a stacked class that points to a continued bright future for Texas Tech.
#15 Will Burns, SS
6-2, 175lbs
Mission Viejo, CA
Bats: R | Throws: R
Grade: 9
Tim Tadlock spoke a bit about Will Burns at the National College Baseball Foundation’s First Pitch Luncheon, even if it wasn’t exactly by name. Burns, originally in the 2023 class of commits, graduated early and joined the Red Raiders in January. Tadlock explained guys having the option to reclassify helps the Red Raiders get ahead of the 30 MLB teams that top college programs are fighting with for talent.
With an already impressive frame that also projects for the future and dual sport ability, Burns definitely was expected to be a pick in the upcoming MLB Draft. Adding additional firepower to Texas Tech’s bid in recruiting, Head Football Coach Joey McGuire helped seal the deal, making Tech one of a few schools recruiting Burns for both football (QB) and baseball.
Burns brings power and spray to all fields to the plate with an approach that is refined for his age. Defensively, the young man can flat-out play. He has worked almost exclusively at shortstop since joining the team, but a quick stint at third base in scrimmages helped provide an even clearer picture of the easy arm strength he brings to the field.
He’s quick on his feet with a body type that begs a comp to Orlando Garcia and an arm that reminds me of Michael Davis. He seems like a quiet and introspective player, he’s always very receptive to one-on-one coaching from the staff and soaking up information on deck from upperclassmen.
If you can’t tell, I’m a big fan of Burns and have been very impressed with him at shortstop, I expect Texas Tech to turn a lot more double plays in 2023 and I like the on-field chemistry I’ve already seen developing with Austin Green, who I expect to be playing second base.
#20 Austin Green, 2B
6-0, 195lbs
Diana, TX
Bats: S | Throws: R
Grade: 9
Green comes to the Red Raiders from Weatherford College. Originally out of New Diana HS, he was a Top 500 player nationally and came of high school with a PG Grade of 9. At Weatherford, he slashed .323/.435/.585 in a two-season career.
Green has played almost exclusively at second base in scrimmages for the Red Raiders. He has shown good fielding ability and in the spring has developed solid double-play chemistry with Will Burns, who he is usually paired with. In the final weekend, he took a sharp grounder ranging right and initiated a sweet double play with a behind-the-back flip to Burns as he charged through the bag and threw a strike to first base.
Green’s bat has also been consistent and he’s the only switch-hitter I’m aware of on the team.
I’d expect Green to be the first option at second base. I’ve seen Tracer Lopez, Zac Vooletich, and Damien Bravo turn in short work there but Green has been a mainstay.
#26 Dylan Maxcey, C
5-9, 165lbs
Friendswood, TX
Bats: R | Throws: R
Maxcey comes to the Red Raiders out of Friendswood HS and I know he was a guy that J-Bob Thomas (who coaches catchers in addition to being the Recruiting Coordinator) was very excited about. A Top 500 player nationally, Maxcey was not a highly-touted recruit, most likely because of his body size. But there is a lot packed into his small frame.
He’s a capable defensive catcher, I’d put him third on the depth chart at that category but by no means a lesser option for the Red Raiders considering who he is playing behind.
What is most head-turning about Maxcey is his power. He hit the most home runs in fall scrimmages, including several multi-home run days and that power has continued into the spring. He’ll only be getting stronger as he matures and his bat is one that may put him in the lineup even on days he’s not catching.
#28 Taber Fast, LHP/INF
6-2, 192lbs
Centralia, WA
Bats: L | Throws: L
Coming all the way to Lubbock from Olympia HS, Taber Fast has seen time on the mound and in the field through scrimmages. Perfect Game listed him as a Top 500 player nationally and the #1 left-handed pitcher in Washington.
Fast has seen limited time in various positions around the field, most of which came at first base where he played in high school. He’s shown a capable left-handed bat and good instincts on the basepaths.
I think Fast’s biggest contributions may come on the mound, although I’m not ruling him out of seeing time in the field by any means. Fast is a solid left-handed guy that may eat up some innings. If he progresses well through the season I wouldn’t rule out him receiving some chances to start on the mound as well.
#31 Damian Bravo, INF/OF
6-2, 175lbs
Haltom City, TX
Bats: R | Throws: R
Grade: 8.5
A 6-2, 175lb player out of Haltom HS, Bravo was a Top 500 player nationally coming out of high school with a PG Grade of 8.5. Bravo is another two-way guy who we last saw throw publically in the fall scrimmages. I’m certainly not ruling him out of the mound as he was reported to have a mid-90s fastball in high school.
Bravo may be another versatile tool in the kit for Tadlock as we’ve seen him at both first and second base as well as getting time in right field. It appears he’s mainly in the mix for first base and could be another whose bat makes decisions even tougher for this coaching staff.
He’s another guy with a projectible frame but is a bit more physically developed than others his age. He’s another that helps make this whole conversation very interesting, he can play in several positions and his bat makes you want to find a place for him to stand.
#41 Nolen Hester, OF
5-10, 180lbs
Rockwall, TX
Bats: L | Throws: L
Grade: 8
Hester comes to the Red Raiders after four years (including 2020) at Wofford in the Southern Conference. Originally from Midland Christian HS, he was a Top 1000 player nationally coming out of the 2018 class. At Wofford, Hester posted a four-year slashline of .331/.459/.431 and hasn’t classically been a power hitter, but he has been consistent. He has the second most experienced bat on the team with 487 collegiate at-bats, second only to Ty Coleman’s 560.
Hester definitely plays like a veteran with a patient approach, he reads the basepaths well and brings a level of reliability that injects confidence into a team with so many young players.
He spent much of the fall scrimmages in center field and did a nice job out there, but that was while Dillon Carter was not playing. In the spring semester, Hester has seen more time in the corner outfield spots and has been solid in both. For me, it’s currently a tossup in left field between Hester and Drew Woodcox but as I’ve mentioned before, depending on how things continue to progress with Gage Harrelson and Jeric Curtis, there are myriad combinations we could see out there this season.
#50 Drew Woodcox, OF
6-1, 205lbs
Houston, TX
Bats: R | Throws: R
Grade: 9
Drew Woodcox came to the Red Raiders out of Lamar HS in Houston as part of the 2020 class. He was a Top 500 player nationally with a PG Grade of 9 and appeared in 20 games for Tech in 2021. Probably his most memorable moment came on March 26 in the series opener against the University of South Florida when Woodcox hit two home runs as part of a nine-run 5th inning. Texas Tech won 16-6 and gave Tim Tadlock his 318th win as head coach, moving him past Kal Segrist to second in Tech history.
Woodcox transferred to Rice for the 2022 season where he started 24 of the 30 games he appeared in. Woodcox hit .202 with 12 RBI last season but has made consistent contact in scrimmages since returning to Texas Tech. He has flashed big power at the plate and has been consistently solid in left field where he’s worked almost exclusively.
In my mind, Woodcox is the top option in left field right now, though as I’ve mentioned, Hester and Curtis have been heavily involved and I expect everyone will get plenty of chances. It may come down to who fills the right gap in the lineup for power, hitting for average, or speed on any given day.
WHO’S NEW ON THE MOUND?
I’ve listed the newcomer pitchers below and anticipate we’ll see a final roster posted this week, there’s just no way I can provide any level of projection for their roles at this point.
#19 Jack Livingstone, RHP
6-4, 190lbs
Lucas, TX | Lovejoy HS
Bats: R | Throws: R
TX Rank: #13 RHP
US Rank: Top 500
#34 Zane Petty, RHP
6-1, 165lbs
Corsicana, TX | Corsicana HS
Bats: R | Throws: R
TX Rank: #6 RHP
US Rank: Top 350
MLB Draft: 13th Round 
#36 Dax Dathe, RHP
6-3, 200lbs
Round Rock, TX | Stony Point HS | Houston | Grayson College
Bats: R | Throws: R
TX Rank: #9 RHP
US Rank: Top 500
Grade: 9
#37 Nolan Foster, RHP
6-3, 174lbs
McKinney, TX | McKinney Boyd HS
Bats: R | Throws: R
TX Rank: #54 RHP
US Rank: Top 500
Grade: 9
#38 Jacob Rogers, RHP
6-2, 185lbs
Friendswood, TX | Friendswood HS
Bats: R | Throws: R
TX Rank: #63 RHP
US Rank: Top 500
Grade: 8.5
#46 Ryan Free, LHP
6-3, 185lbs
Friendswood, TX | Friendswood HS
Bats: R | Throws: R
TX Rank: #44 LHP
#47 Ethan Coombes, RHP
6-3, 215 lbs
Portales, NM | Eastern New Mexico | Howard College | LCU
Bats: R | Throws: R
NM Rank: #4 RHP
#48 Hudson Luce, LHP
6-7, 210lbs
Atascocita, TX | Atascocita HS | Temple College
Bats: L | Throws: L
TX Rank: #45 LHP
Grade: 9
#49 Jack Washburn, RHP
6-2, 211lbs
Webster, WI | Webster HS | Oregon State | Mississippi
Bats: R | Throws: R
WI Rank: #1 RHP
US Rank: Top 500
Grade: 9
#51 Zach Erdman, LHP
6-2, 185lbs
Keller, TX | Keller HS
Bats: R | Throws: L
TX Rank: #16 LHP
US Rank: Top 500
Grade: 8.5
PROJECTING THE LINEUP
As I’ve mentioned, projecting the lineup is an exercise in futility even now. Texas Tech can field two teams that I think we would all enjoy watching play and that would give opponents fits. I have taken a shot at it below with who my eyes and my gut are telling me are leading the way at the moment. But as I’ve mentioned often, I think we’ll see more lineup combinations than normal in the early series this year as young guys get valuable experience and bats start finding success – or not.
Projected Starting Rotation
Mason Molina | Brendan Girton | Bo Blessie | Brandon Beckel
Infield
Outfield & DH
