2024 College Top 25 Preview: No. 18 Texas Tech
Image credit: Kevin Bazzell (Photo by Eddie Kelly / ProLook Photos)
Last season: 41-23 (12-12 Big-12), lost in Gainesville Regional
Final ranking: NR
Coach (record at school): Tim Tadlock (420-215, 11 seasons)
The good news: Three of the most productive hitters from 2023 will again anchor the lineup, as Gavin Kash (.327/.397/.692), Kevin Bazzell (.348/.453/.572) and Austin Green (.290/.418/.542) all return to Lubbock. Kash last season led the team, and conference, in both home runs with 26 and RBIs with 84. He brings thunderous lefthanded power and can change the complexion of the game in one swing. Bazzell, who is one of the best pure hitters in college baseball, was a first-team All-Big 12 selection who led the team with 24 doubles, and his 62 RBIs were the second-highest total behind Kash. Green is a veteran presence who is a well-rounded player. He can run, has power at the plate and can play multiple positions in the field. Gonzaga transfer Cade McGee was a big-time portal addition and he will be the team’s everyday third baseman with Bazzell moving to catcher. The 2022 WCC freshman of the year, McGee last year hit (.293/.430/.587) with four doubles, six home runs and 20 RBIs in as many games played. His season was cut short due to injury, but he is now fully healthy. McGee has a plus arm at third base and is also a high-impact bat. Freshman infielder Landon Stripling enjoyed an impressive fall season, and he could be an everyday player from the get-go. Even with the loss of Mason Molina (6-2, 3.67), the Red Raider rotation will again be competitive. Tech’s 6-foot-6 righthander Kyle Robinson (1-1, 5.36 ERA) will be the staff’s headliner. He has a true four-pitch mix, and while the back of the baseball card numbers may not stick out, Robinson has the ability to be the best arm on the staff. Sophomore righthander Zane Petty (3-2, 5.68 ERA) is another sure bet to be in the weekend rotation. In terms of stuff, Petty’s is the best on the team. He features a mid-90s riding fastball, and had a successful summer in the California Collegiate League as well as a great fall season.
The bad news: Last season’s two leading hitters Zac Vooletich (.388/.443/.560) and Nolen Hester (.361/.525/.466) both graduated, while staff ace Mason Molina transferred to Arkansas and Brandon Beckel (5-2, 2.23 ERA), the team’s best reliever, was drafted in the 12th round. Vooletich and Hester not only added length to the lineup, but they also performed well while being outstanding leaders. The loss of Molina is a massive hole to fill. There is talent abound on Tech’s pitching staff, but someone like Robinson or Petty must establish himself as a true ace. On top of Beckel’s departure, reliever Ethan Coombes (4-0, 2.75 ERA) graduated, which makes the bullpen a real question mark. Brendan Lysik (0-1, 3.48 ERA), Jacob Rogers (2-3, 5.48 ERA) and Josh Sanders (3-1, 6.18 ERA) are all in line for elevated roles, but their level of performance will need to make a jump.
Player to know: Gage Harrelson, OF. As a true freshman in 2023, Harrelson established himself as an everyday player and hit .324/.404/.441 with 16 doubles and five triples. Since last year, he has added physicality to his frame, which will potentially translate to added impact. Harrelson is an above-average runner, plays strong defense in center field and can impact the game in a number of ways.
Path to Omaha: After finishing sixth in the Big 12, the Red Raiders solidified their spot in a regional after winning two games in the conference tournament. They won their first two games in Gainesville, both by one run, taking down UConn 3-2 and Florida 5-4. After that, it appeared as if Tech had just run out of gas, as it was outscored by Florida by a combined margin of 13-1 in the team’s final two games of the season. This year’s team is going to hit, there is little question about that, but the pitching staff is going to need to rise to the occasion in order for Tech to maximize its upside and be in contention to return to the College World Series for the first time since 2019.
| Pos. | Name | Year | AVG | OBP | SLG | AB | HR | RBI |
| C | Kevin Bazzell | R-So. | .348 | .452 | .572 | 250 | 10 | 62 |
| 1B | Gavin Kash | Jr. | .327 | .397 | .692 | 263 | 26 | 84 |
| 2B | Tracer Lopez | R-So. | .268 | .342 | .391 | 179 | 4 | 31 |
| 3B | Cade McGee | Jr. | Transfer—Gonzaga | |||||
| SS | TJ Pompey | Fr. | HS—Coppell, Texas | |||||
| OF | Damian Bravo | So. | .133 | .161 | .433 | 30 | 3 | 7 |
| OF | Gage Harrelson | So. | .324 | .404 | .441 | 247 | 1 | 45 |
| OF | Austin Green | Sr. | .290 | .418 | .542 | 214 | 12 | 57 |
| DH | Davis Rivers | Fr. | HS—Waller, Texas | |||||
| Pos. | Name | Class | W | L | ERA | IP | SO | SV |
| SP | Kyle Robinson | Jr. | 1 | 1 | 5.36 | 45 | 45 | 2 |
| SP | Zane Petty | So. | 3 | 2 | 5.68 | 38 | 32 | 0 |
| SP | Trendan Parrish | Jr. | 3 | 2 | 6.00 | 57 | 50 | 1 |
| RP | Jacob Rogers | Jr. | 2 | 3 | 5.48 | 23 | 25 | 0 |
| RP | Ryan Free | Sr. | 5 | 4 | 4.11 | 46 | 54 | 1 |
| RP | Brendan Lysik | Sr. | 0 | 1 | 3.48 | 10 | 7 | 0 |
