Returning standouts

The Texas Longhorn baseball team starts its 121^st season in five days with a 4-game series in Houston against the Rice Owls. After an extra-inning, heartbreaking 4-3 loss in the Bracket 1 championship game of the CWS (to eventual champion Vanderbilt), the Longhorns enter the 2015 season with high expectations.

 

 

 

Last year as Texas went about the business of restoring the winning tradition of Longhorn baseball, the team relied on a talented recruiting class to supplant veteran players and fill gaps in the lineup. This year, although the incoming crop of freshman is just as talented, the team has experienced players at almost every position and the youth will add depth while waiting their turn.

 

 

 

Head Coach Augie Garrido commented on how this year’s group of freshman will have a different experience than the previous group, saying, “There just aren’t as many opportunities immediately, but when you really start to get good, that’s the way it is, they have to wait their turn.”

 

 

 

Specifically Garrido mentioned his trio of talented infielders, Brooks Marlow, CJ Hinojosa, and Bret Boswell, as being good enough that there was no opportunity for the freshmen to crack the lineup. Joining those three players, Tres Barrera ( C), Ben Johnson (LF), and Collin Shaw (RF) compose a strong set of returning experience. Add returning starter Zane Gurwitz, who will move from third base to center field, to that group and Texas will only have new faces at the corners of the infield.

 

 

 

Bret Boswell will take over at the hot corner for Gurwitz. True freshman Travis Jones will be the team’s starter at first base on opening day.

 

 

 

In 2014, the Longhorns recorded a .974 fielding percentage, a mark that notched fourth best in the Big 12. That percentage translated to an average of exactly one error per game. The defensive lineup above will improve on that number.

 

 

 

A breakdown of the defense:

 

 

 

 

 

INFIELD

 

 

 

First base – Travis Jones ( R)

 

 

 

Jones was a four year starter at short stop for Atascocita HS, with a career batting average of .384. For insight on why Jones gets the nod at first, Garrido said, “His work ethic is impeccable. He is here before we are and he leaves last. It’s nothing but work and he seems very focused. He is not moody, not emotional, that’s why he is a first base right now.”

 

 

 

 

 

Second base – Brooks Marlow (L/R)

 

 

 

Marlow is outstanding defensively, winning a Rawlings Gold Glove in 2014. He also was 2^nd on team in OBP (.383) behind Mark Payton. Given Marlow’s career trajectory at the plate (hiting .214 as a freshman; .250 as a sophomore; .268 as a junior), the coaches are expecting his offensive production to come close to matching his glovework.

 

 

 

 

 

Short stop – CJ Hinojosa ( R)

 

 

 

Hinojosa hit .298 in 2014, which was 2^nd on team, and is an excellent bunter. After a huge postseason offensively, Hinojosa should be near the top of most offensive categories this season. Not to be overshadowed by his production at the plate, Hinojosa is an extremely consistent defender (started every game at SS for two straight years).

 

 

 

 

 

Third base – Bret Boswell (L/R)

 

 

 

Boswell was a four year starter at short stop for Rockwall Heath that hit .410 with 21 homeruns. He received a medical redshirt (wrist) last year but likely would have played as a true freshman – as an indicator of his talent, at least 20 MLB teams contacted Boswell prior to the 2013 draft.

 

 

 

 

 

Catcher – Tres Barrera ( R)

 

 

 

As a true freshman, Barrera started 63 of 65 games behind the plate – an impressive number, even for a veteran. It was Barrera’s bat more than his defense that earned him the everyday duties at catcher. In 2014, Barrera was 2^nd on team in homeruns, RBI, and doubles. Although he earned high marks for his ability to connect with Texas pitchers, Barrera will improve defensively in his second year behind the plate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUTFIELD

 

 

 

Center field – Zane Gurwitz ( R)

 

 

 

Gurwitz made 59 starts as a freshman, mostly at 3B. In his first year, he hit .284 (3^rd on team) but hit .458 as senior at Churchill high school, indicating the probability that offensive production should increase. Gurwitz has good speed but great instincts, and those traits project well to CF at Disch Falk. Throughout Fall practices, Gurwitz drew praise as the best player on the team.

 

 

 

 

 

Right field – Collin Shaw (L)

 

 

 

Shaw is the best defensive outfielder on team, and has a plus arm (4 assists in 2014). It was feast or famine at the plate last year for Shaw (Ex: .333 in CWS but .264 on season). If he improves his consistency at plate, Shaw will be a fixture near the top of the batting order.

 

 

 

 

 

Left field – Ben Johnson ( R)

 

 

 

Both quick and fast, Johnson was 21/21 in stolen bases last year, and led team in runs scored. Johnson is another player that will improve his production at the plate – he hit .220 as freshman, then improved it 40 points to .260 last year. With a natural swing that produces good bat speed, Johnson possesses surprising power that pitchers don’t expect at the top of the lineup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESERVES

 

 

 

Joe Baker ( R) – A true freshman from McKinney, TX, Baker can play either SS or 3B. Baker’s offense is good enough that he may also be the top reserve at 2B as well. He missed his senior year at McKinney with an injury – if possible, Texas will redshirt Baker and allow him to slowly return to form.

 

 

 

Michael Cantu ( R) – A true freshman from Corpus Christi’s Moody HS, Cantu was rated as the No. 1 catcher in the state of Texas, and was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 2014 first-year player draft. Cantu has plus offensive skill and will likely catch some midweek games, allowing Barrera to rest.

 

 

 

 

 

Part II of the HornSport baseball preview will focus on the offense. Part III will examine the pitchers.