TCU Horned Frogs Baseball Preview 2024: Infield
Old Man Winter may have just flexed his muscles on North Texas, but the 30-day countdown to the college baseball Opening Weekend is underway. The TCU Horned Frogs packed their bags for Omaha last year, winning 44 games and two in the College World Series. As much success as they incurred last year, the Frogs look to reload for another Final Eight run.
Below, we'll go over the infield for TCU baseball this season and what to expect from the unit as a whole. Check back for more positional previews, leading up to a TCU baseball season preview and prediction.
Last year, we came within six games of TCU's record, but did project a College World Series run for the Frogs.
TCU Baseball: Returning Infielders
Few teams matched the defensive prowess as TCU did in 2023. Despite an overhaul of many infield positions, the Frogs fielded a stout defense, even when the pitching was shaky. Headlining the returners is Anthony Silva at shortstop. As a freshman, Silva not only earned the starting spot, but pieced together one of the most impressive first seasons in the country and was named First Team Freshman All-American.
Silva is the lone concrete returning starter in the infield, although familiar faces will start around him. First base could be manned by Gabe Miranda, who redshirted as a freshman last year, or by catchers Karson Bowen and Kurtis Byrne. Bowen was an excellent contact hitter, batting .350 (second-best on TCU) while Byrne provided some pop to the lineup, hitting 10 home runs; both were excellent defensively behind the plate.
It's likely all three rotate during the season. Most probable is whoever isn't behind the plate between Bowen and Byrne may get the start at first for a given game.
Junior Brody Green reportedly had an outstanding fall camp. He struggled to crack the lineup in the past two seasons, but provides a bit of power with his 6-foot-4 frame. Sophomore Fisher Ingercoll made six starts as a DH last season and displayed great plate vision.
TCU Baseball: Infield Additions
The biggest inbound name to note for the infield: Ole Miss grad transfer Peyton Chatagnier. The Cypress product comes to play second base and likely starts for the Frogs this season. Chatagnier started 182 games at second in four seasons, batting .265 and hitting 31 home runs. In 2020, he was named a Freshman All-American and is a regular on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Three other transfers bring their talents to Fort Worth this year – catchers Dallen Leach and Tim Reynolds, and infielder Jack Basseer. Basseer, a sophomore, was named second team All-West Coast Conference at Pepperdine and got plenty of work at third base this fall. He brings good power to the plate and reportedly improved defensively. Leach and Reynolds may find work in unique ways as the catcher room is a busy one this season.
Inbound freshmen include Micah Kendrick and Ryder Robinson. Robinson could get work at third base, although he struggled with shoulder issues throughout his high school career. He presents a stronger defensive option, although Basseer brings a bigger plate presence. Coach Kirk Saarloos had plenty good to say about Robinson, emphasizing his versatility both at the plate and in the infield.
Kendrick should crack the lineup at times this year thanks to his pop in the batting order. The Rockwall product earned first-team All-State honors his senior season.
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