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Despite replacing several key members of the batting order and pitching rotation, TCU is once again picked to be near the top of the Big 12 standings at the end of the 2018 season. A year after tying Texas Tech for the regular season conference crown, Jim Schlossnagle’s squad is just a single point behind them in the preseason vote. The Frogs have never been picked to finish lower than second in the poll since joining the Big 12 Conference, and have two regular season and one tournament title in their five year history as a member.
Should be another exciting year of #Big12BSB! TCU received four first place votes and was picked to finish second in the preseason poll. Since joining the @Big12Conference, TCU has been picked to finish first or second in every preseason poll. pic.twitter.com/XEkwAXFNkc
— TCU Baseball (@TCU_Baseball) February 1, 2018
TCU and Tech were the only teams to receive first place votes, and were one a part in that category as well as total points. Texas is third, barely edging out an Oklahoma team that many think could have a big year. WVU is just behind the Sooners, while Kansas and Oklahoma State are tied at 26 points a piece, for sixth and seventh. The resurgent Bears are eighth, while Kansas State was voted last by all but one coach, receiving nine total points.
- Texas Tech (5) 61
- TCU (4) 60
- Texas 42
- Oklahoma 40
- West Virginia 38
- Kansas 26
- Oklahoma State 26
- Baylor 22
- Kansas State 9
Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team
TCU, fresh off of their fourth consecutive College World Series berth, will be replacing two starting pitchers in Brian Howard and Mitchell Traver, as well as outfielders Austen Wade and Nolan Brown, second baseman Cam Warner, shortstop Ryan Merrill, third baseman Elliott Barzilli, and superstar catcher Evan Skoug - all playing professional baseball. The Frogs do anticipate a return to full health for All-American candidate Luken Baker, who will man first base, and have young phenom Nick Lodolo and excellent veterans Jared Janczak and Sean Wymer to anchor the weekend rotation. The conference is as good as any in the country, and might even be the best of the bunch, as seven of the nine teams made postseason appearances a season ago, and that number could be matched this year.
Opening Day is just over two weeks away, when the Frogs travel to Arizona for a three game set at Grand Canyon University, starting Friday, February 16th.