Texas Tech Tops the Big 12 Preseason Poll

Photo cc: Twitter/ WVU Baseball

Baseball season is fast approaching and that can only mean that preseason awards and polls are set to be released. The Big 12 released their Big 12 Preseason Poll that is voted on by the media. Texas Tech came in first with 63 points and seven first-place votes, the next closest team with first-place votes was TCU and Texas with one apiece.

Texas Tech didn’t end the preseason awards and polls there as it was announced that four Red Raiders were selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 team. OF Dylan Neuse, INF Cal Conley, DH Nate Rombach, and SP Micah Dallas were all named to the team. For Red Raider fans, it’s a welcome sight to see Micah Dallas on the All-Big 12 team due to his limitations in the 19 games Tech played last season. Dallas was working his way back from injury but is 100% ready to go for 2021 and be the Friday night starter for Tech.

Four Red Raiders Make All-Big 12 Team

Conley and Rombach are deserving of the honor as well as both showed why they are vital pieces to the Red Raiders lineup as True Freshman in 2020. It’s limited sample size for both, but Conley made his name known at the dish. In 70 ABs, Conley hit .371 with an OBP of just under .450. He’s more than just a speedster that can slap at the ball. He has gap power that allows him to accumulate extra-base hits and put the pitchers at a severe disadvantage. Look for him to continue his success in his second season and first full season as the Red Raiders Shortstop.

Nate Rombach was recruited to be a catcher but quickly made his name known as a middle of the order bat for Tech. In 65 ABs as a true freshman, Rombach hit six homers while hitting .308 and getting on base at a .440 clip. Look for him to bat squarely in the middle of the lineup in 2021 for Texas Tech.

Dylan Neuse Picked as Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year

Dylan Neuse wasn’t just named to the All-Big 12 team, he was named Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year. Neuse has developed into the leader of the Red Raiders offense and is a pivotal bat in the order for Coach Tadlock and Crew. Neuse will bat atop of the order and be a tone setter for a lineup that has the potential to return every one from 2020 outside of Brian Klein who signed as an undrafted FA with the Washington Nationals.

Red Raiders #3 in Rankings

The Red Raiders were picked as the #3 team in the country in three of the four Baseball Rankings. The only rankings they weren’t at #3 was by Collegiate Baseball where the Red Raiders came in at #4.