KillerFrogs writers JD Andress and Carson Wersal preview the 2024 TCU baseball season. They discuss the expectations for the team pitching and hitting wise.
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00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:04 Hello and welcome into the Killer Frogs bullpen.
00:06 This is our second episode.
00:08 I'm once again joined by my great co-host, Carson Wursel.
00:11 Carson, how are you today?
00:12 >> Good, how are you?
00:14 >> Doing great, ready to talk some frog ball.
00:16 Today, we are going to do pretty much a full breakdown of the TCU 2024 baseball
00:20 season.
00:21 We're gonna talk about final record predictions, our pitching breakdown,
00:25 our hitting breakdown, and basically just our thoughts on how the season will go.
00:28 All right, Carson, we'll kick it off with you.
00:30 What are your expectations for the team as a whole,
00:33 before we get into final record predictions?
00:36 What are your expectations as a whole?
00:37 >> So I mean, with TCU, obviously, when you've had as much success as they've
00:44 had in the past 10, 11 years, you can genuinely say on almost any given season,
00:52 this team can make a run to a super regional and
00:54 potentially the College World Series.
00:56 There are not a lot of college baseball teams you can say that about.
01:00 >> Yeah.
01:00 >> Maybe Florida, LSU, maybe Arkansas, even though they haven't delivered yet,
01:06 despite being ranked top five in almost every year the past five years.
01:13 You can't say this about a lot of teams where you can say genuinely,
01:16 I think that they can make a run to the College World Series.
01:19 >> I think TCU showed that sentiment more than anything last year with
01:25 the slow start that they got off to during conference play and
01:28 able to turn around that.
01:30 Lately, they've won 20 of the last 22 conference championships,
01:35 essentially, pretty much.
01:36 They've been lights out in baseball and it's been the one sport that has been,
01:41 one major sport that has been consistent for the school as a whole.
01:44 And I think this year is probably their best year since
01:48 was 2014 team to win it all this year.
01:52 I think that's it's pretty much this year is the first time in a decade that it's
01:57 been title or bust.
01:59 >> Yeah.
02:01 >> So without talking anymore, what's your final record prediction?
02:05 TC plays 54 games, 33 home games, 18 away games and
02:09 three games at a neutral site at Globe Life Field.
02:11 >> So I have them finishing 33 and 21.
02:16 I do think that the Big 12, like we said, it is top heavy.
02:22 With Texas, Texas Tech, OSU,
02:24 TCU doesn't tend to perform very well in those series in the past.
02:29 But they do take care of business whenever they need to against teams that
02:34 they know that they are better in and obviously the midweek games.
02:38 I do think they go 33 and 21 in the regular season.
02:42 >> So you have them finishing right about the same record as last year's and
02:46 basically the last two years essentially.
02:48 >> Yes.
02:49 >> Interesting, I have them going 39 and 15.
02:54 I think this is the year that as long as healthy wise,
02:59 the team can stay healthy, I think this is year they get it done.
03:03 They get Tech at home, they get Oklahoma State at home, they go to Texas,
03:07 which will be a, that's always a great environment to play in.
03:11 Midweek games will be tough, DBU twice,
03:16 they have Washington State that comes here, a lot of good teams in the midweek
03:20 games, but there's no SEC teams this year in the schedule.
03:23 And I think that fares well for at least before conference play starts that it can,
03:28 essentially what happened with basketball this year is inflate their record a little
03:31 bit, and I think it'll carry them over and get them going well.
03:35 What about come postseason play, come Big 12 tournament play,
03:40 regional, super regional, Omaha, what are your thoughts?
03:42 What's your predictions for that?
03:45 >> I mean, the Big 12 tournament is kinda, I mean,
03:48 that's been hard to predict kind of in the past couple years.
03:51 But TCU seems to find that rhythm almost every time, and
03:57 at least make a showing in the Big 12 championship game.
04:02 So I have them ending up there for sure.
04:04 Past that, I do have them winning a regional.
04:11 I think super regionals is where it gets tough just because, I mean,
04:15 there are a lot of really, really good teams out there right now.
04:19 I think that any team that they face, exactly like last year,
04:25 Memphis State, any team that you face is gonna have strengths and
04:29 weaknesses, but they're gonna be dogs all the way around.
04:33 >> Do you have them hosting a regional or going to a regional outside the top 16?
04:38 >> I think that we will host a regional.
04:41 >> Okay. >> I do.
04:41 >> Yeah, that's pretty much the same sentiment.
04:44 Big 12 tournament is any given team can win that.
04:47 We saw that last year with OSU,
04:51 who was a slightly down team compared to their normal history.
04:54 They were going on a nice run last year.
04:57 I do have them hosting a regional.
04:59 I think they finished within the top eight and
05:01 we'll be able to host a super regional too.
05:02 Will be interesting to see with the seeding again compared to last year's, but
05:09 I do have them hosting a regional to super regional and
05:13 eventually making it to Omaha and hopefully is a top seed this time.
05:16 So let's get into the pitching.
05:19 What do you think the overall thoughts on the pitching going into this season is
05:25 compared to last year's?
05:26 >> I think that with this year, I think there's a certain expectation for
05:31 the pitching based on what we saw last year towards the end.
05:35 Obviously, you're never gonna start out how you end in a baseball season,
05:41 but there are definitely expectations to meet this year.
05:45 Cuz you've got Cole Clicker, you've got Ben Abel,
05:48 you've got Peyton Tull potentially being on the mound, eating up innings.
05:53 I think there's an expectation that this TCU starting rotation
05:58 is at least gonna be good.
06:00 I don't know about great, I don't know about excellent yet, but
06:03 I do know that they will be good.
06:05 The bullpen is where I kind of have some questions that need to be answered.
06:11 How healthy is Louie Rodriguez gonna be?
06:13 How healthy is the other guys like Zach Morris?
06:18 How healthy is he gonna be?
06:20 Obviously, he's had a lot of injuries in his career, but
06:23 is he gonna be able to be a serviceable pitcher for TCU this year?
06:27 >> Yeah, I think this is kind of the reverse of going into last season.
06:35 Because last season you knew the bullpen was gonna be great, and
06:39 you just had question marks over the starting rotation.
06:41 I think this year it's kind of flipped a little bit.
06:44 The starting rotation, while it's not solidified on who will be starting,
06:48 you have enough options this season that you know that you're gonna be
06:51 pretty well taken care of regardless of who it is.
06:54 I mean, you got Cole Clicker, Ben Hampton, the chancellor from West Virginia,
06:58 who has great spin rate on all of his breaking balls.
07:02 Peyton Toll, who if he is a starting pitcher for us,
07:05 was fantastic at Wichita State last season.
07:08 Zach Morris has been stellar at Arkansas up until last season, and
07:12 he was battling injury the entire time last season that kind of proved it.
07:16 And I think you're losing big guys out of the bullpen last year who,
07:21 although they weren't world breakers, they were veterans.
07:25 They had played, they had been to Omaha, they had had the experience that you
07:29 needed from your bullpen to be able to beat ice whenever you needed it.
07:32 And I think this year the only solid bullpen piece that, if they come into
07:37 a game that I knew I could expect them to shut it down is Ben Abel.
07:41 He proved that last season.
07:43 That little funky release that he has from a lefty angle coming downfield,
07:47 the 94 mile an hour sinker is disgusting, and I think it'll play well this year.
07:51 Who do you have as your pitcher to watch for this season?
07:59 >> So it's actually Jax Traeger.
08:01 Jax Traeger, obviously getting up to 98, 99 miles an hour on his fastball.
08:08 And watching him pitch just in some of the videos that I've seen,
08:12 where he's pitching in those summer leagues, he's pitching and
08:16 scouting little tournaments.
08:19 He's looked absolutely amazing.
08:21 Last year, obviously had a lot of control issues,
08:24 couldn't really find that rhythm that pitchers need to have.
08:29 But this year I expect him to make a huge jump from last year.
08:32 >> Yeah, I've heard great things so far about how he was playing summer ball and
08:40 all of the how he was performing in the fall compared to last season.
08:43 I have, my pitcher to watch for is actually Andrew Moziello,
08:49 the transfer from Oregon from last year.
08:51 I think he slots into a big role that the team will need.
08:57 We kind of have a long relief kind of sorted out with Luis Rodriguez,
09:02 potentially Zach Morris and then flip flopping.
09:05 You have Ben Abel as your closer and I think you kind of need that seventh inning
09:10 high impact pitcher that can come in and
09:15 shut it down at the time when you don't want to use Ben Abel.
09:18 I think he can slide into that role nicely for what TCU needs this year.
09:23 >> Okay.
09:23 >> Switching to the other side of the field, hitting breakdown.
09:27 Do we, what do you expect from TCU's offense this year?
09:31 >> I expect a lot of power, I think.
09:36 I think that's gonna kind of be the name of the game.
09:38 Like obviously, we lost a lot of power in Cole Fontenelle and
09:43 Braden Taylor last year, but I feel like it's kind of just the same thing.
09:48 You've kind of replaced those guys with more power hitters.
09:51 You've got Luke Boyers, you've got Peyton Toll obviously.
09:56 Anthony Silva can get it out of the yard when he needs to.
09:59 But for the most part also,
10:02 we don't really know what that lineup is gonna look like.
10:06 It seems like we've just kind of got the guys names that are floating around on
10:11 social media and then that's it.
10:14 So come that first week, I'm not sure what to expect or
10:18 who's gonna be slotted where.
10:20 >> Yeah, I think the offense as a whole will essentially be the same as you see
10:26 every year is it's a very slap hit baseball team and
10:29 then you got a few guys that are gonna be able to hit it out.
10:32 That's about it.
10:33 And that's kind of been the TC formula and
10:35 while it varies from what most other teams do, it works for the team.
10:38 They got the guys that are willing to do it and do it well.
10:42 I think you'll see the uptick of power for Peyton Toll this year at the DH spot.
10:46 I think that's gonna make a world of difference.
10:48 I do agree with you on the sentiment that we don't know who's gonna be starting.
10:56 You have your select positions that have already been filled out.
11:00 Carson Bowen's gonna be your catcher this year.
11:02 Anthony Silva will be your shortstop.
11:03 Peyton Chantagnier will be your second baseman.
11:05 But first base is still kind of up for grabs.
11:08 Third base is definitely up for grabs.
11:12 Luke Boyers is gonna play a role in the outfield.
11:14 It just depends which way.
11:15 I really think that that first weekend, which is in nine days from now,
11:22 against Florida Atlantic will be able to tell us or Florida Gulf Coast will tell us
11:25 a lot about what we can expect from a lineup coming up.
11:30 >> Yeah, I think so too.
11:31 >> Who do you think is gonna have breakout season this year?
11:35 In other words, be the best hitter on the team.
11:40 >> The best hitter on the team, I think it's probably Anthony Silva.
11:44 I think with what he showed as a freshman, and now that he's got games and
11:49 a collegiate season under his belt, as well as a collegiate postseason,
11:55 I think that he's gonna have the highest batting average.
11:58 And I also think that he'll have the most RBIs on the team.
12:01 I think he's gonna be the go-to guy when you need a clutch hit.
12:05 >> Yeah, and yeah, I do agree.
12:10 But I couldn't do it just because Carson Bowen's on the team.
12:15 What he did last year while behind the dish, I love the way that the man plays.
12:20 He's basically, he reminds me of Evan Scalke.
12:22 >> I knew you were gonna pick him.
12:25 >> He reminds me of Evan Scalke.
12:28 I'm in love with Carson Bowen.
12:30 I think he will be the heartbeat of the offense.
12:35 Anthony Silva's gonna be your own base guy.
12:37 He's gonna be basically your Brady Taylor from last year, minus a few home runs.
12:42 And Peyton Toll is gonna be able to knock the ball around.
12:44 But Carson Bowen as a whole will be, the man just does it all.
12:49 You're gonna hear him in season long.
12:52 I think he's one of the better hitters on the team, and
12:56 from a premium position that you don't expect many right hitting from.
13:00 >> Yeah, I do remember in the Big 12 Championship,
13:04 I think it was, so I think they showed a stat in the fourth game.
13:07 So it was the championship game in the Big 12.
13:10 And I think it was, he had 12 at bats and
13:16 seven or eight hits or something stupid like that.
13:19 I saw that stat and I was like, this is nuts for a catcher.
13:25 >> And don't forget a true freshman catcher last year.
13:28 >> Yeah, yeah.
13:29 >> Like, TC really did strike gold with their freshman class last year.
13:36 >> Yeah, and their freshman class this year could play a big role.
13:39 I mean, Chase Brunson could be the center fielder this year and-
13:41 >> Yeah, absolutely.
13:42 >> He's otherworldly.
13:43 I mean, I do think it kinda depends how Kirk Sarlos wants to go about
13:48 the catching position, if he's gonna rotate him out.
13:53 So I think you kinda saw last season whenever TC was going in a slump,
13:57 Carson Bowen was kind of, you're playing that many games over a season,
14:01 it's gonna take a swear and tear on you.
14:03 >> Right.
14:04 >> Okay, but let's talk about overall for the rest of the team now.
14:09 Who do you have as the team's MVP this season?
14:12 Could be pitching, could be a hitter.
14:14 >> The MVP, I think it'll probably be Peyton Toll.
14:22 I feel like his role on this team,
14:24 with as much hype as there is around him, I think that he is gonna live up to it.
14:30 I think that his hitting will be really, really good.
14:33 And I think that he will be a good pitcher on the mound for TCU.
14:38 >> Yeah, that's a great pick.
14:42 I mean, Peyton Toll,
14:42 I mean, he gets the bump of being able to draw both sides of the ball.
14:46 I do have Cole Klecker.
14:50 Just because we both assume that Cole Klecker will be our Friday night starter
14:54 for the Frogs.
14:55 And I think having to deal with the opposite team's ace,
14:59 he proved last year in Omaha that he can go toe to toe with the best of them.
15:02 And again, the best parts of TCU's teams last year were all freshmen.
15:09 Cole Klecker, Ben Abel, Carson Bowen, Anthony Silva were all freshmen.
15:12 Cole Klecker has a season under his belt now.
15:14 He finished last season with a 3.7 ERA and a 72 to 30 strikeout to walk ratio.
15:21 He's gonna build on what he was last year.
15:24 And I think he improves on enough this year that he becomes the Friday night
15:29 starter that TCU has needed for the last two seasons and has been without.
15:34 >> Yeah, I'm curious to see what he's developed over the offseason, obviously.
15:42 I'm interested to see potentially velocity jumps,
15:45 cuz if you get him with his off speed stuff,
15:49 if you can get his fastball to 95, 96 miles an hour, dude, my God.
15:56 >> Yeah, I truly think it's interesting cuz it's his first real full offseason.
16:01 >> Yeah. >> In the college program.
16:02 And I think it'll do wonders for him and
16:04 what he's able to produce this year on the field.
16:07 >> Yeah, absolutely.
16:09 What about team newcomer of the year won't include Peyton Toll in this one,
16:13 since you have your MVP.
16:15 Who do you have as your MVP or your newcomer of the year?
16:18 It could be a transfer, it could be a freshman that makes an impact.
16:22 What do you have?
16:22 >> I think it'll be Ben Hampton.
16:26 And this could be a little bit biased, just because when I play baseball,
16:30 I just throw a bunch of junk and throw a fastball occasionally.
16:34 Maybe I'm biased, but I think that he's gonna find his role
16:39 to be kind of flip-flopping throughout the season.
16:43 We've seen in the past, TCU, well, Kirk Sarlos is not afraid to take a starter,
16:51 put him in the pen for a couple weeks, and then bring him back into the starting role.
16:54 Just to kind of give them a change of mindset.
16:57 And he's also done it the other way around.
16:58 I think that he's gonna get multiple starts.
17:02 And then I also think that he's gonna get multiple opportunities and
17:05 high leverage situations that I think he'll be able to deliver on.
17:10 >> Yeah, I think, again, this kind of touches slightly on what we talked about
17:15 earlier is, is Ben Hampton gonna be a midweek starter?
17:20 Is he gonna be a weekend starter?
17:22 Is he gonna be a long relief option in the bullpen?
17:24 And I think you touched on it, it's the beauty of how Kirk Sarlos coaches is,
17:29 he gets the players to buy in that they don't commit to a role and
17:33 that's what they are all season.
17:35 >> Yeah.
17:35 >> For me, I was decided between Brody Green,
17:42 Zach Morris on what he could do eating innings and I decided on neither.
17:45 I'm going with Peyton Shantakmir, the Ole Miss transfer.
17:48 Yeah, I just think with what he's been able to do at Ole Miss and
17:55 his different production last year, I think he might be one of the two players
17:59 that gives you the sentiment of, it's a new place, new mindset.
18:02 And I think we kind of see him get back to the old Chattanooga that we saw at
18:07 the beginning of last season and the season before that.
18:09 Enough that I think he's gonna be enough of an impact on the field.
18:12 Patrolling that middle of the infield with Anthony Silva will be
18:16 great defensively wise.
18:18 >> Yeah. >> Nothing's really gonna get through.
18:20 And I think he's gonna have enough offensive production that he realizes he
18:25 doesn't have to go big or go home every time he's at the plate.
18:28 Just play the way ball that TCU plays.
18:30 And I think from everything I've heard is that he's bought in enough that
18:34 it should be a pretty big season for him.
18:36 >> Yeah, I do think that he brings kind of a veteran presence that
18:40 TCU not necessarily needs, but he brings one that definitely helps, I think.
18:47 >> Yeah, I mean, this is a TCU team that there's only gonna be
18:53 potentially one true freshman starting on.
18:56 And that could be center field with Chase Brunson and the rest of them were all,
19:00 were either all contributors to the last season or
19:03 their transfers that have a lot of depth.
19:06 Unless they're Luke Boyers, who somehow I feel like he gets an extra year
19:11 of eligibility every single year.
19:12 >> [LAUGH] I mean, I feel like that's any college athlete right now.
19:17 >> Yeah, all right, well, do you have any closing thoughts,
19:21 anything you wanna share before we end this?
19:23 >> I think I'm just excited to watch TCU baseball again.
19:29 I mean, it feels like it's been a full year when in reality,
19:34 it's been maybe five months, so.
19:37 >> I said earlier that the first game is nine days away, and
19:40 that kind of blew my mind.
19:41 I didn't realize it's that close, and I feel like a kid on Christmas right now.
19:44 >> Yeah, I get so excited every time.
19:47 Every time it's this week leading up to the first series.
19:52 I am a little bit disappointed that we aren't playing in that SEC,
19:57 the matchup at GlobeLife Park.
20:00 But I do think it'll be a nice change of pace for
20:05 just seeing different teams.
20:08 >> Yeah, I think it'll be a good change, get some new fresh blood.
20:13 And I think maybe some of the reasoning of it is we're gonna see them in
20:16 the postseason, don't wanna get them looks on your pitching now.
20:21 But that'll do it for today's episode.
20:23 Thank you for joining us for the Killer Frogs bullpen.
20:27 We'll be back next week.
20:28 Next week, Carson, we get to preview the first series of the year.
20:32 >> Let's go.
20:35 >> Thank you guys, and we'll talk to you next weekend.
20:38 [BLANK_AUDIO]