Texas Baseball's Lebarron Johnson Earns Big 12 Preseason Pitcher of the Year Honors
Lebarron Johnson Jr. from No. 16 Texas Baseball has been named the 2024 Big 12 Preseason Pitcher of the Year, as per the recent announcement from the conference office.
Porter Brown, an outfielder, also secured a spot on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team. Additionally, the league recognized Will Gasparino as the Preseason Freshman of the Year.
TCU boasted the highest number of players to receive recognition with five, compared to Texas' three players and Kansas State's three players.
Johnson Jr., a talented right-hander hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, earned his place on the 2023 second-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 selection.
Known for his pivotal role in the weekend rotation, he concluded the season with an 8-4 record and an impressive 2.91 ERA. Notably, he delivered a standout one-run shutout against Miami in the NCAA Coral Gables Regional's second game.
Johnson Jr.'s performance, limiting opponents to a .231 batting average in his redshirt sophomore season, solidified his position, ranking fourth in the Big 12 with 86.2 innings pitched.
Another player to watch out for this season, Porter Brown, originally from San Antonio, previously earned recognition on the All-Big 12 First Team.
His outstanding achievements included a .323 batting average, 14 doubles, 12 homers, 59 RBI, and 46 runs scored. Upon transferring from TCU to Texas, Brown made an immediate impact by starting all 64 games in left field.
Lastly, Will Gasparino, an outfielder with roots in Los Angeles, previously held a position among the top 75 prospects in the MLB Draft.
His notable contributions to Harvard-Westlake High School played a crucial role in securing a CIF State Championship in 2021. This accomplishment adds to the program's rich legacy of producing MLB stars such as Max Fried, Lucas Giolito, and Jack Flaherty.
Preseason All-Big 12 Team
C: Karson Bowen, TCU
IF: Kodey Shojinaga, Kansas
IF: Kaelen Culpepper, K-State
IF: Anthony Silva, TCU
IF: Gavin Kash, Texas Tech*
IF: JJ Wetherholt, West Virginia*
OF: Porter Brown, Texas
OF: Bryce Madron, Oklahoma
OF: Nolan Schubart, Oklahoma State*
DH: Janson Reeder, Kansas
UT: Carson Benge, Oklahoma State
SP: Lebarron Johnson Jr., Texas*
SP: Owen Boerema, K-State
SP: Kole Klecker, TCU*
SP: Payton Tolle, TCU
RP: Tyson Neighbors, K-State*
RP: Ben Abeldt, TCU
Preseason Player of the Year
JJ Wetherholt, West Virginia*
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Lebarron Johnson Jr., Texas
Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Payton Tolle, TCU
Preseason Freshman of the Year
Will Gasparino, Texas