How Mitch Thompson Can Turn Bears Into College World Series Contenders
It is no secret that 2022 was not a season that the Baylor Bears will want to replicate any time soon. A 26-28 overall record, while going 7-17 in Big 12 play, is simply not good enough.
Now, as the Bears look to get back to competing for Big 12 championships once again, they will do so under new leadership. Coach Mitch Thompson will lead the way for Baylor, as he replaced Steve Rodriguez.
Getting back to a competitive will be easier said than done, but the Bears do have the talent do so. As well, Thompson has assembled a solid staff and should help change the fortune in Waco.
Now, here are three key areas of improvement if the Bears want to be not only a Big 12 contender but want a shot at making it to the College World Series for the first time since 2005.
Offense, offense, offense
If the Bears want any hope of competing in the Big 12 under Thompson this season, the offense must drastically improve from where they were in 2022. While yes, the offense is only half of baseball, it doesn't matter how elite your pitching staff is if your bats don't help them out.
In 2022 the Bears only managed a .266 team batting average, good for last in the conference. They also only managed to plate 329 runs, barely ahead of last-place Kansas who scored 316 runs. For comparison, the Big 12 leader in both was Texas with a .316 average and 540 runs scored.
Improve in Big 12 play
There was a lot to be down about for Baylor in 2022, but perhaps none more crucial than its record in conference play. The Bears went a disappointing 7-17 in conference play, and of their eight conference series they only managed to win one.
The Big 12 is one of the best conferences in college baseball, with perennial College World Series contenders such as Texas, Texas Tech and TCU dominating the top of the conference. However, even with Texas leaving for the SEC in the near future, the Bears won't ever be a true College World Series contender unless they start competing with the big boys in the conference.
Win on the road
While there was not much to write about home last season for the Bears, they did perform well at home with a 20-12 record. As you would expect, though, that positive caveat is not without its downside as it sets the stage for a look at how poorly they did on the road.
Baylor posted a disappointing 4-13 road record as it simply could not get the job done away from Waco. A perfect example of the Bears' road struggles was their series against Texas in which they were swept and outscored 46-9 in three games. If Baylor cannot compete on the road this season, either, then it will be a long one under Thompson.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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