Led by an experienced, veteran lineup, Texas Tech won the Big 12 Conference last season and reached the College World Series for the second time in three years.
Half of last year’s regulars are now gone, including All American first baseman Eric Gutierrez, leaving a hole in the lineup for new Red Raiders to step up and fill.
Texas Tech hasn’t missed a beat this spring, however, starting the season 17-4 and rising to No. 8 in the Top 25 after five weekends. Along with senior first baseman Hunter Hargrove (.329/.387/.553), junior outfielder Tanner Gardner (.294/.344/.376) has been at the heart of the Red Raiders’ new-look offense.
After leading Texas Tech in batting last season (.379/.484/.549), Gardner got off to a slow start this spring. Ten games into the season, he was hitting .150/.222/.150. He has since broken out of that slump, and hit .422/.458/.578 in the next 11 games to raise his season line to .294/.344/.376.
Gardner said he was confident he would break out of his slump.
“Just play through it has been my mentality,” he said. “I have a bunch of positive guys in the locker room that have kept my spirits up. It’s just the grind of the game we play and the game that we love.”
Coach Tim Tadlock said he thought Gardner’s start to the season was probably the worst stretch of his baseball career. But for a player with his ability to impact the game in several ways, it was only a matter of time before his bat came around.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 07 2017-Ausgabe von Baseball America.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 07 2017-Ausgabe von Baseball America.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
THE SERVICE TIME CONUNDRUM
MLB’s byzantine service time rules cloud rookie status and now PPI eligibility
LUIS TIANT WAS MLB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CUBAN PITCHER
On a scouting trip to Cuba in 1957, Bobby Avila discovered 16-year-old righthander Luis Tiant on the island's Juvenile League all-star team.
ORGANIZATION REPORT
Outfielder Heston Kjerstad's career has been unique, to say the least.
TOP 10 NL EAST
From the moment Thomas White stepped on a high school mound, he was viewed as the top lefthander available in the 2023 draft.
PREPARATION PAYS OFF
lowa politician J.D. Scholten makes a surprising return to pro ball at age 44
MAKING THE GRADE
Assessing the future value of graduated National League prospects
TOP 10 NL WEST
Even in high school, Bryce Eldridge could hit the ball a mile. The 6-foot-7 righthander could also touch 96 mph off the mound.
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound
