The Big 12 had a strong season in 2019, most notably with Texas Tech making the National Semifinals before dropping to eventual runner up Michigan. The league is set for plenty of turnover in 2020, with Baylor losing its two first rounders, TCU and Texas Tech each losing Top 10 draft picks, and West Virginia losing much of their core.
Still the league is stocked with young talent for 2020. Texas Tech is a preseason Top 5 team, while Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are Top 25 teams. Beyond the big three, Texas is filled with talented underclassmen, TCU loaded up on newcomers, and schools like Baylor and Kansas State can’t be written off.
Projected Big 12 Standings
1.Texas Tech
The Red Raiders are back for another run at Omaha in 2020 with a mix of new and familiar faces that will have them ranked in the Top 10 nationally preseason. The place to start is the lineup, which loses some key pieces- but returns a few key guys as well. Dylan Neuse goes from a supporting role to the leader this year, and Sheldon’s younger brother is looking to push his way further up draft boards this spring. Another key returnee is second baseman Brian Klein, who returns as a senior, while catcher Braxton Fulford broke out as a sophomore in 2019. Tanner O’Tremba is also back, while speedy outfielder sophomore Max Marusak will play a bigger role in 2020. Look out for a pair of players in bigger roles in two way outfielder Kurt Wilson and first baseman Cole Stilwell.
Expect a pair of newcomers to get plenty of time, led by freshman Jace Jung - Josh’s younger brother - and Miami transfer shortstop Cal Conley. Off the bench Cody Masters and Dru Baker are proven options, while freshmen Nate Rombach, Dillon Carter, and Jared Cushing will fight for time.
The Red Raiders rotation is also looking good led by sophomore Micah Dallas, who posted a 4.03 ERA in his debut, and the return of hard throwing senior John McMillon. A pair of premium sophomore arms in Bryce Bonnin and lefty Mason Montgomery also figure into the rotation. Clayton Beeter is a closer with a power arsenal, and along with the two way Wilson, explosive freshman Andrew Devine, and elite JUCO arm Jacob Brustoski, the bullpen should also be a strength.
2.Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State lost a lot of power from their home run happy team a year ago, but this year’s team may just be better all around. There is plenty of power back in Alix Garcia, Carson McCusker, and Cade Cabbiness, but the lineup has more to it this year. Second baseman will be JUCO transfer Kaden Polcovich, who along with Kentucky transfer third baseman Jake Thompson, give the Cowboys some better hit tools to work with.
Those aren’t even the only newcomers as LSU transfer catcher Brock Mathis and freshman centerfielder Caeden Trenkle are also expected to join the lineup. Mathis is more of a glove guy, but Trenkle is another guy with a solid hit tool. Shortstop Hueston Morrill is back and could take a jump as a sophomore, as fan fellow sophomore infielder Max Hewitt who will be playing a utility role and even catching at times. Also look out for junior Noah Sifrit, a two way guy who had a big fall at the plate.
The pitching staff will be led by Parker Scott, one of the top pitchers in the league, but also have some talented freshmen with top recruit Bryce Osmond and super projectable Justin Campbell and Kale Davis trying to join him. Sophomore Brett Standlee is also back after making 12 solid starts as a freshman a year ago. The pen will be led by senior closer Ben Leeper, but is filled with plenty of power arms and could include 6-foot-9, 250-pound lefty Mitchell Stone.
3.Oklahoma
Oklahoma is hoping to ride their pitching to Omaha, and they have a group who could make that possible. Ace Cade Cavalli is back, and the junior is arguably the best pitcher in the league this season and a future first round pick. Cavalli will be followed by Levi Prater, a guy who could be a Friday starter at most other schools in the Big 12. That’s not all as Ben Abram, who made 13 solid starts a year ago, will need to fight off JUCO transfer Dane Acker and freshmen like Jake Bennett and Christian Ruebeck. Senior closer Jason Ruffcorn returns as the best closer in the Big 12 and will be joined by Ledgend Smith, Wyatt Olds, and Zack Matthews. If transfer Brad Demco gets cleared to play this year, the bullpen would rival the Baylor pen.
The lineup is where the questions start and why I have the Sooners third, as they aren’t an imposing group beyond first baseman Tyler Hardman and catcher Brady Lindsly- though when Cavalli gets time at the plate he usually shines there. Senior shortstop Brandon Zaragoza has always been a strong defender, but he added strength and has been a breakout candidate after a strong fall.
One of the keys will be getting an outfielder to take the next step at the plate, with Tanner Tredaway being the most likely choice, but Brady Harlan and Diego Muniz also being candidates. Freshmen Peyton Graham and Kendall Pettis are looking at starting roles on the left side of the field.
4.Texas
One of the tougher teams to place in the Big 12 was Texas, as the Longhorns are a team with a ton of question marks. One thing that isn’t a question mark is their Friday night starter, with star junior Bryce Elder written into that job already. Who joins Elder there and remains there is up for debate, though high upside sophomore Ty Madden can probably be pencilled in as well. Sophomores Kolby Kubichek, who struggled last year, and Coy Cobb, who was solid in 10 starts but missed time in the fall with injury, along with freshman Pete Hansen and even hard throwing sophomore Cole Quintanilla are in the mix as well. The pen could include Quintanilla, but even without him has veteran Kam Fields, high upside but erratic Mason Bryant, and JUCO transfer Dawson Merryman.
The lineup also has some questions, though the outfield of Duke Ellis, Eric Kennedy, and Austin Todd is pretty set, as is senior first baseman Zach Zubia. After missing most of last year injured, catcher DJ Petrinsky is back to reclaim his starting job. After that the freshmen will be keys, as top recruit Trey Faltine is expected to take over short, and Douglas Hodo looks like he’ll get regular time between the outfield and DH. Third base is expected to go to freshman Andre Duplantier, who has the arm to get some innings out of the pen, while another freshman in Brenden Dixon is in the mix for time at second. The Horns are a team capable of moving up these standings, but also a team capable of dropping down a few slots.
5.TCU
TCU is set for a very new look this year, with nearly 10 newcomers set to play large roles -- a number that increased following the surprise defection by star shortstop Adam Oviedo to Oral Roberts last summer. The returning players on offense are led by a quarter of seniors. Outfielder Hunter Wolfe, third baseman Conner Shepherd, first baseman Austin Henry, and catcher Zach Humphreys. JUCO transfers in shortstop Tommy Sacco and outfielder Phillip Sikes, plus Alabama grad transfer Gene Wood will all play very large roles for this team. As will a pair of freshmen, catcher Kurtis Byrne — who may need to DH to play with the presence of Humphreys — and redshirt freshman Porter Brown, who missed much of last year with an injury.
The pitching staff will be led by senior Charles King, but JUCO transfers Drew Hill and Johnny Ray will try to make an impact, as will top recruit Riley Cornelio and converted reliever Marcelo Perez. The bullpen will be led by another newcomer in JUCO closer Harrison Beethe, who joins a talented and hard throwing pen including Haylen Green, Caleb Sloan, and Russell Smith. This TCU team looks a little improved from the team that made the tournament last year.
6.Baylor
Despite come big losses from last year in Shea Langeliers and Davis Wendzel, the Bears will be alright this year. Having emerging starter Jimmy Winston with lefty Paul Dickens, top recruit Will Rigney, and the highly talented lefty Tyler Thomas gives the Bears a promising rotation to build with. Then they add in arguably the best bullpen in the Big 12 with closer Hayden Kettler and key relievers Luke Boyd, Daniel Caruso, and Ryan Leckich all back for another year.
Offensively the Bears will be led by another potential first day draft pick in shortstop Nick Loftin, but the rest of the lineup takes a little projecting. Can catcher Andy Thomas emerge given the role full time? Can Davion Downey take the next step? Is Mack Mueller ready for the breakout some project? Are freshmen like Tre Richardson and Jared McKenzie ready for this level? The Bears have a chance to reach the tournament, but the real question is whether they can just make it or whether they can be a threat to keep advancing.
7.Kansas State
K-State is losing their superstar in two way talent Will Brennan, but return a lot from last year and add a big time transfer. Sophomore lefty Jordan Wicks is the top returning arm, pitching to a 3.61 ERA in his debut, and will be joined by that transfer, former Dartmouth lefty Carson Seymour. Seymour came out of the pen for his Ivy League school, then sat out last year before a Cape showing to put him on the prospect map. Seymour had mixed performance in the Cape, but showed the stuff to break out. A third sophomore in Griffin Hassall, this one a right hander, is another part of the Wildcat rotation. The pen is set to be a bit of a question mark behind Andrew Stratman and Eric Torres.
The offense will be led by senior catcher Chris Ceballos, and his .843 OPS with 10 homers, and junior two way outfielder Zach Kokoska (.930 OPS, 8 HR). Ceballos isn’t the only double digit home run producer, as sophomore outfielder Dylan Phillips hit 10 in his debut. A trio of solid and experienced seniors in Terrence Spurlin, Caleb Littlejim, and Cameron Thompson only add further depth to the lineup. A freshman outfielder has a chance to play a key role in Dom Hughes, son of K-State coach Pete Hughes and brother of Thomas Hughes, who played a key role here last year.
8.West Virginia
West Virginia was hit hard by losses from last year, losing Alek Manoah plus other key players like Darius Hill, Ivan Gonzalez, and Nick Snyder. However star Tyler Doanes is back after posting a .898 OPS and stealing 20 bases, and he will be joined by slugger Paul McIntosh, who hit 10 homers a year ago. Sophomore shortstop Tevin Tucker is back as well, and could make a jump in his second season after holding his own last year. Braden Zarbinsky also returns after missing last year. There are high hopes for top freshman Tyler DeMartino’s bat as well.
The pitching staff will be led by projectable 6-foot-7 sophomore Jackson Wolf, a very high upside draft prospect, as well as JUCO transfer Haden Erbe, who passed up a chance to go pro last spring. Ryan Bergert, a sophomore who posted a 1.85 ERA in 34 innings but made only two starts last year, is also expected to join that group. Freshmen Daniel Batcher and Jimmy Starnes each have promising futures.
9.Kansas
If there is one thing you could feel safe penciling in before the season, it would be that Kansas finishes last in the Big 12. The Jayhawks have some interesting players, led by star shortstop Benjamin Sems, but just lack the talent to really push themselves up the standings. Sems is part of a veteran lineup featuring James Cosentino, Skyler Messinger, and Brett Vosik - but that’s where the talent starts to drop. Sophomores center fielder Casey Burnham and first baseman Dylan Ditzenberger have some hope for second year improvement, but they lack much depth.
On the other side the Jayhawks return junior lefty Steve Washilewski, who posted a 3.75 ERA while making 10 starts a year ago, and are hopeful for a step forward out of sophomore Eli Davis as well as a nice debut from freshman Ryan Vanderhei. Closer Jonah Ulane is the best part of the pen, and he could challenge for All Big 12 honors this year.
Projected All Big 12 Team
C-Braxton Fulford, Texas Tech
1B-Tyler Hardman, Oklahoma
2B-Tyler Doanes, West Virginia
3B-Conner Shepherd, TCU
SS-Nick Loftin, Baylor
OF-Hunter Wolfe, TCU
OF-Dylan Neuse, Texas Tech
OF-Carson McCusker, Oklahoma State
DH-Brian Klein, Texas Tech
SP-Cade Cavalli, Oklahoma
SP-Bryce Edler, Texas
SP-Levi Prater, Oklahoma
SP-Parker Scott, Oklahoma State
RP-Jason Ruffcorn, Oklahoma
RP-Clayton Beeter, Texas Tech
RP-Ben Leeper, Oklahoma State
Two Way-Cade Cavalli, Oklahoma State
Projected All Big 12 Second Team
C-Brady Lindsly, Oklahoma
1B-Alix Garcia, Oklahoma State
2B-Kaden Polcovich, Oklahoma State
3B-Jake Thompson, Oklahoma State
SS-Benjamin Sems, Kansas
OF-Eric Kennedy, Texas
OF-Zach Kokoska, Kansas State
OF-Davion Downey, Baylor
SP-Micah Dallas, Texas Tech
SP-Jimmy Winston, Baylor
SP-John McMillon, Texas Tech
SP-Ty Madden, Texas
RP-Harrison Beethe, Texas Tech
RP-Luke Boyd, Baylor
RP-Kam Fields, Texas
Two Way-Kurt Wilson, Texas Tech
Honorable Mention
C
Andy Thomas, Baylor
Chris Ceballos, Kansas State
Zach Humphreys, TCU
Paul McIntosh, West Virginia
3B
Skyler Messinger, Kansas
OF
Duke Ellis, Texas
SP
Carson Seymour, Kansas State
Jordan Wicks, Kansas State
Charles King, TCU
RP
Daniel Caruso, Baylor
Jonah Ulane, Kansas
Caleb Sloan, TCU
Projected Big 12 All Freshman Team
C-Kurtis Byrne, TCU
1B-Tyler DeMartino, West Virginia
2B-Brenden Dixon, Texas
3B-Jace Jung, Texas Tech
SS-Trey Faltine, Texas
OF-Caeden Trenkle, Oklahoma State
OF-Porter Brown, TCU
OF-Douglas Hodo, Texas
DH-Peyton Graham, Oklahoma
SP-Will Rigney, Baylor
SP-Riley Cornelio, TCU
SP-Bryce Osmond, Oklahoma State
SP-Justin Campbell, Oklahoma
RP-Andrew Devine, Texas Tech
RP-Christian Ruebeck, Oklahoma
RP-Eli Kerim, Texas Tech
Two Way-Andre Duplantier, Texas
Honorable Mention
C
Matt McCormick, West Virginia
3B
Tre Richardson, Baylor
SS
Cal Conley, Texas Tech
OF
Jared McKenzie, Baylor
Kendall Pettis, Oklahoma
Dom Hughes, Kansas State
Blake Robertson, Oklahoma State
SP
Jake Bennett, Oklahoma
Kale Davis, Oklahoma State
Pete Hansen, Texas
Ryan Vanderhei, Kansas
RP
Jacob Meador, TCU
Top 25 Draft Prospects for 2020 MLB Draft
Players are juniors unless otherwise noted
1.Cade Cavalli, RHP, Oklahoma
2.Nick Loftin, SS, Baylor
3.Bryce Elder, RHP, Texas
4.Dylan Neuse, 2B/OF, Texas Tech
5.Carson Seymour, LHP, Kansas State(SO)
6.Bryce Bonnin, RHP, Texas Tech (SO)
7.Jackson Wolf, LHP, West Virginia
8.Levi Prater, LHP, Oklahoma
9.Drew Hill, RHP, TCU
10.Kaden Polcovich, INF, Oklahoma State
11.John McMillon, RHP, Texas Tech(SR)
12.Coy Cobb, RHP, Texas(SO)
13.Kam Fields, RHP, Texas
14.Hunter Wolfe, OF, TCU(SR)
15.Benjamin Sems, Kansas(SR)
16.Clayton Beeter, RHP, Texas Tech
17.Tyler Hardman, 1B, Oklahoma
18.Jakob Brustoski, LHP, Texas Tech
19.Tyler Thomas, LHP, Baylor
20.Parker Scott, RHP, Oklahoma State
21.Brandon Zaragoza, SS, Oklahoma(SR)
22.Haden Erbe, RHP, West Virginia
23.Dane Acker, RHP, Oklahoma
24.Charles King, RHP, TCU(SR)
25.Jason Ruffcorn, RHP, Oklahoma(SR)
Breakout Candidates
Brandon Zaragoza, SS, Oklahoma
Brandon Zaragoza is the rare senior to make the breakout list. The soon to be fourth year starter has had at least 183 at bats in each of his first three years, but never posted an OPS above .683 in part due to a career high slugging mark of .311. That’s been fine since Zaragoza has been an excellent defender- but things have suddenly changed. It’s been noted that the shortstop has added 15 pounds since the end of last season, and has been hitting with more authority since the start of fall ball. Considering Zaragoza is a high on base guy already(.372 last year), adding a little more pop should help him break out for a Sooner team that can use a little more offense.
Mack Mueller, OF, Baylor
With some key contributors moving on from Baylor, expect Mack Mueller to see more time in 2020. More time for Mueller means we get to see his massive power on display that much more often. The former Rice Owl hit 15 homers at the JUCO level in 2018, and added 2 with 6 doubles in 56 at bats last spring. Mueller has the raw power to be at the top of the Big 12 leaders in home runs, and now should have the role to show it.
Jake Thompson, 3B, Oklahoma State
Jake Thompson has been around- South Dakota State, JUCO, Kentucky, and now he’s a Cowboy. The third baseman is primed for a breakout year after posting 16 doubles in the Northwoods League, showing his mature approach and the barrel skills that will only grow working with the Holiday brothers.
Kurt Wilson, OF/RHP, Texas Tech
One of the most intriguing talents in the Big 12 is Texas Tech two way athlete Kurt Wilson. Wilson may be best with the bat, but his 98 MPH fastball is eye popping. Wilson only threw 14.2 innings last year as his command is a bit erratic, but he’s got the stuff to be an impact reliever at the back of the Red Raider pen. In addition he’s going to get plenty of time in the outfield, and with a bigger role could see his total of 4 homers in 88 at bats from last spring at least double in 2020.
Jimmy Winston, RHP, Baylor
After relying on the bats plenty last year, the Bears will need to get more from their pitching in 2020 if they want to make another trip to the tournament. That would start with their top returning starter, Jimmy Winston, making a jump after posting a 4.30 ERA in his first season as a starter. Winston isn’t going to strike out a ton of hitters, but with a slight uptick in his command he should be able to hold his place as the Bears staff ace.