San Antonio, Texas | Antonian Prep HS
6-3, 190lb
Bats: R | Throws: R
National Rank: 500 | Texas Rank: 213
National RHP Rank: 606 | Texas RHP Rank: 82

Beckel comes to the Red Raiders with a well-developed three pitch mix making him a strikeout machine in high school. His fastball sits 93+mph and based on the velocity he's added there's more room for growth. He demonstrates a dedication to his craft and a willingness to work hard for improvement. I'd look for the potential of him finding his way onto heat sheets as a freshman. His curveball is aggressive sitting in the mid-70s and a split-change is filthy holding around 84mph.

Beckel has seen impressive outings in private high school career, including 63Ks over 29 innings pitched and a 3H, 1ER, 14K effort against 6A Laredo Alexander as well. While the quality of bats he'll be facing will undoubtedly improve at this level, his pitchability looks to translate well as he continues refining his mix and growing in the mental aspect of the game on the mound.

Willis, Texas | Willis HS | Texas A&M University | San Jacinto College
6-2, 210lb
Bats: R | Throws: R
PG Grade: 10
2018 MLB Draft: Astros, 39th Round (1182)
National Rank: 105 | Texas Rank: 12
National RHP Rank: 37 | Texas RHP Rank: 6

Coming out of high school Birdsell was a very highly rated recruit and was drafted in the 39th round by the Astros. He opted to attend Texas A&M University and while there posted a 6.43 ERA and 1-0 record in nine appearances. He finished with 7.0 IP, 6H, 5R, 6BB, 8K and following his freshman season opted to transfer to San Jacinto College. Under the tutelage of San Jac Pitching Coach Woody Williams, who spent 15 seasons pitching in the MLB, he posted a 5-0 record in six starts. He notched a 2.48 ERA in 29.0IP with 18H, 12R, 8ER, 9BB, and 45K. That's an impressive 13.97 strikeouts per nine innings. Birdsell credits Williams with assistance with delivery, mechanics, and mental approach.

There was speculation that Birdsell could be one of the first JUCO players taken in the 2020 MLB Draft along with two San Jacinto teammates. His teammates went but Birdsell's Top 100 ranking didn't translate into a pick. He brings a five pitch mix to Texas Tech with a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, spike curve, slider, and changeup. His four-seamer bumped 97mph this Spring and his slider and curve are also solid offerings with the slider resembling a cutter sitting 89-91mph. The changeup needs development but Birdsell has expressed desire and commitment to get it done. MLB observers have called it "easy power" and he is still projected to have what it takes for an MLB career.

Brandon Birdsell is outspoken and strong in his faith and his journey through College Station, San Jacinto College, and now to Lubbock has been defined by self and spiritual discovery as much as work on the diamond.

Gage, Oklahoma | Shattuck Public Schools HS
6-1, 210lb
Bats: R | Throws: R
National Rank: 142 | Oklahoma Rank: 6
National RHP Rank: 28 | Oklahoma RHP Rank: 2

Brendan Girton comes out of Oklahoma as one of the most highly touted recruits in the state and a Top 30 pitching prospect in the nation. The big righthander comes in with a four-pitch mix running his fastball up to 96mph, his slider and changeup both sit in the low 80s and he brings the curveball sitting 79-81mph.

Girton has not only been a pitcher, but played starting catcher on his high school team for three seasons. The mentality of a catcher, their inherent toughness, and the required understanding of the game as it plays out in the full field makes for a well-versed and high baseball IQ pitcher. He will have the opportunity fully fill his frame and improve his command and control. Expect bullpen opportunities for him as he improves his command of the strike zone and consistency from the mound.

Port St. Lucie, Florida | Vero Beach HS
6-1, 226lb
Bats: R | Throws: L
PG Grade: 10
National Rank: 119 | Florida Rank: 27
National LHP Rank: 11 | Florida LHP Rank: 4

Nick Gorby brings a strong frame and core which allow him to repeat easily and gives him strong endurance from the outset. His 3/4 armslot shows a very quick shoulder and no wasted movement. The velocity comes easily and hints at greater upside with high level development. In February 2020, Gorby tossed a no hitter racking up 17Ks against quality high school competition. Gorby's 2020 statline was 23IP, 5H, 1ER, 42Ks and a 3-0 record leading his team to a 7-0 start. 

He boasts a true four-pitch mix with an 11-5 curveball running 79-81mph that he can locate to both sides as well as a changeup with fade and depth. He has a plus slider that's especially difficult for righties to handle and the fastball is bumping 92mph. Gorby is a fiery competitor with an aggressive mentality to match the imposing frame. 

We saw Gorby in three outings in the Fall where he averaged one strikeout per inning pitched. We're excited to see what the big-bodied lefty will grow to become for the Red Raiders.

Kilgore, Texas | Kilgore HS
6-1, 200lb
Bats: R | Throws: R
National Rank: 159 | Texas Rank: 12
National RHP Rank: 54 | Texas RHP Rank: 8

Chase Hampton is another of the big bodied right-hander that Red Raider fans have become accustomed to seeing. He boasts powerful mechanics that allow him to pitch down the slope consistently. He fires off a nice four-seam fastball that sits in the 91-93mph range and shows advanced riding life. He also brings a 12-6 breaking curve with a nice tight spin.

Hampton commands the mound with a deliberate pace and shows a grit and mental determination. He displays a level of control and unflappability that is often something young pitches grow into later in their college career.

We saw Hampton in three two-inning outings in the fall and he came out the other side with a 3.00 ERA and averaging 1 strikeout per inning pitched. That's not too shabby for a freshman facing Tech's dangerous offense.

Magnolia, Texas | Concordia Lutheran HS
6-1, 180lb
Bats: L | Throws: L
National Rank: 500 | Texas Rank: 53
National LHP Rank: 66 | Texas LHP Rank: 6

Hitt is a smaller framed left hander coming out of Magnolia but don't let the size fool you as he's beyond the classic "crafty lefty" moniker. With a fastball bumping 93 Hitt saw more action that most in the Fall for the Red Raiders. He tossed 9 innings in 4 outings and earning a 3.00 ERA with 8 K. Hitt mixes pitches well and has a knack for finding the strike zone.

Flower Mound, Texas | Marcus HS
6-1, 175lb
Bats: L | Throws: L
National Rank: 500 | National OF Rank: 305
Texas Rank: 197 | Texas OF Rank: 36

Sam Hunt brings twitchy quickness to campus reminiscent of a young Grant Little. Judging from Fall performances he'll need a bit of physical development to break into the lineup on a regular basis, but he figures to be in the mix when the inevitable departure of guys like Dylan Neuse, Cody Masters, and Dru Baker enter the conversation.

Missouri City, Texas | Ridge Point HS
6-0, 185lb
Bats: L | Throws: R
National Rank: 388 | Texas Rank: 33
National RHP Rank: 128 | Texas RHP Rank: 14

Hayde Key saw three outingsin the Fall equaling 7.0 IP, but he took his lumps giving up 10 H and earning an ERA of 7.71. Key has the time and build to grow on as he builds velo and hones his abilities.

Highlands Ranch, CO | Thunder Ridge HS
6-4, 170lb
Bats: L | Throws: L
National Rank: 500 | Colorado Rank: 6
National LHP Rank: 86| Colorado LHP Rank: 1

Coming in the top left-hander out of Colorado, we only saw Leujeune-Deacutis in limited action in the Fall.

San Antonio, TX | East Central HS
6-4, 220lb
Bats: R | Throws: L
National Rank: 265 | Texas Rank: 23
National LHP Rank: 28 | Texas LHP Rank: 1

Luna saw 8.0 IP in four outings in the Fall. Despite struggling in his second appearance, he put together tow more nice outings including a 3 hit performance in the often run-happy Red/Black series. 

Luna's size is an asset for the lefty who can bring the thunder and figures to factor in quickly for the Red Raiders. 

Port Neches, Texas | Port Neches Grove HS | Alvin Community College
6-6, 210lb
Bats: R | Throws: L
PG Grade: 8
National Rank: N/A | Texas Rank: 363
National LHP Rank: 378 | Texas LHP Rank: 45

Petix is definitely the "first guy off the bus" kind of player. He saw four outings in the Fall totaling 7.0 IP but struggled a bit finding the strike zone with 1 K to 6 BB.

Florence, KY | Randall K. Cooper HS | Walters State Community College
6-0, 225lb
Bats: R | Throws: R
National Rank: 500 | Kentucky Rank: 16
National 3B Rank: 69 | Kentucky 3B Rank: 1

Runion saw a lot of action at 3B in the Fall and also spent time in RF when a large portion of the team returned to scrimmages. Runion shows good instincts in the infield with the athleticism the hot corner requires. He didn't seem as comfortable in the outfield, however, a fantastic sliding save in foul territory sticks out in my mind as another demonstration of his potential.

His numbers below from Walters State speak for themselves. Runion's ability to get the bat going against high-level pitching will be the determining factor of his ability to earn a spot on the field. As Coach Tadlock says, "If you can hit, we'll find a place for you to stand."

Yukon, OK | Yukon HS
6-1, 170lb
Bats: R | Throws: R
National Rank: 500 | Texas Rank: 16
National RHP Rank: 319 | Texas RHP Rank: 6

Sanders saw 6 IP in the Fall but struggled somewhat finding the strike zone. He gave up 5 BB and 9 H across his four appearances. Sanders looks to have some work to do to climb the ladder in a deep bullpen.

Gilbert, AZ | Mesquite HS | Arizona State University | Chandler-Gilbert Community College
6-4, 250lb
Bats: R | Throws: R
National Rank: 276 | Arizona Rank: 7
National RHP Rank: 106 | Arizona RHP Rank: 2

Transfer Chase Webster also saw three short outings in the Fall and plenty of upside. He came out unscathed with a perfect ERA and a couple of Ks in his first trip to the bump. In his stop at Chandler-Gilbert CC, Webster tallied a 2.86 ERA in 63.0 IP. More importantly, he averages more than 8 strikeouts per 9 innings. 

Webster brings the big, imposing, hard-throwing righthander presence and mentality to the mound and figures to see plenty of opportunity out of the bullpen this season as the Red Raiders shake things out early. 

LaPorte, Texas | LaPorte HS
6-2, 195lb
Bats: R | Throws: R
National Rank: 91 | Texas Rank: 8
National RHP Rank: 30| Texas RHP Rank: 5

Levi Wells was impressive on the mound in the Fall. He had moments of getting beat up but the payoff pitch is worth the price of admission and he earned a strikeout an inning in his three outings in the scrimmages.

Wells figures to be a bullpen contributor for Tech in 2021 and has the breaking ball to fan seasoned hitters regardless of the logo on the front of their shirt.

Anchorage, Alaska | West HS
6-4, 170lb
Bats: L | Throws: L
National Rank: 500 | Alaska Rank: 1
National LHP Rank: 56 | Alaska LHP Rank: 1

Leland Wilson will have one unending question to answer to everyone he meets in Lubbock. "Alaska? How's you end up here?" The freshman left hander has come a long way to play baseball but he has some growing to do on the mound, at least judging from his Fall appearances.

Wilson struggled to find the strike zone and to miss barrels in his 5.0 IP giving up 9 BB and 7 H for 7 R. I'm willing to bet the 6-4 freshman will be working with S&C Coach Tory Stephens and we'll see him taking leaps forward quickly with the help of Matt Gardner.

Houston, Texas | Lamar HS
6-1, 195lb
Bats: R | Throws: R
PG Grade: 9
National Rank: 500 | Texas Rank: 49
National SS Rank: 107 | Texas SS Rank: 11

Woodcox was arguably the most impressive newcomer in the Fall scrimmages. He shows impressive speed on the base paths and appeared to have the green light there. He also hit consistently in every appearance showing power to all fields and a patient approach at the plate.

He also more work than any other newcomer playing third base often and seeing time in left field when the entire team returned later in the Fall.

Our numbers show Woodcox hitting .325 in 43 plate appearances with 14 H, 3RBI, 6R, 10 BB, 14 K.