Programs covered: TCU, Gonzaga, Washington, East Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky
Texas Christian
If the Horned Frogs were planning on receiving zero contributions from incoming freshmen, they would still be a preseason Omaha favorite. TCU returns eight of nine starting position players including Luken Baker, a man we like to call the 51st state. On top of that, center fielder Nolan Brown is the "ninth man” only because he missed last spring with an injury. Brown is a gamechanger with speed and he looks like Cody Jones 2.0.
And on the mound, Brian Howard is back for senior year and this rotation is so crowded that Mitchell Traver may take on a swing role. You may be asking “how that is possible?”
The Horned Frogs have two high profile freshmen in Nick Lodolo and Charles King, both 2015 PG All-Americans who have made their presence felt this fall. Lodolo, the Pirates supplemental first round pick last June, is up to 92 mph and already showing the ability to get his fastball in to righthanders. King has gained significant strength and his mechanics are vastly improved from over a year ago. He looks great and has showed a plus slider at times this fall.
There is a lot to like here and I didn't even mention that Durbin Feltman is among the nation's best returning closers (until now). Life is good in Fort Worth.
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