TCU baseball’s offense appears to be heating up at the right time thanks to this player
Bill Mosiello called it a luxury.
Mosiello, TCU baseball’s associate head coach, knows how fortunate he is every time he writes down the lineup card with Brayden Taylor in it.
“He’s capable of hitting one through four,” Mosiello said. “He’s just a special kid.”
Yes, Taylor brings that type of versatility and production to the Horned Frogs’ offense. He’s batted in the two- or three-hole all season, posting a .313 batting average with 49 runs scored, 10 home runs and 38 RBIs. He has a .453 on-base percentage and has drawn more walks (45) than strikeouts (35).
The good news for TCU is that Taylor appears to be heating up just in time for a postseason run. He’s riding a four-game hitting streak, including back-to-back games with home runs, going into the Frogs’ final regular-season series against Santa Clara.
The three-game series starts Thursday night at Lupton Stadium. Cam Brown is scheduled to start the opener, followed by Marcelo Perez on Friday and Riley Cornelio on Saturday.
TCU then moves on to the postseason with the Big 12 tournament being played at Globe Life Field in Arlington and the NCAA Tournament. The Frogs have a chance to host a regional tournament.
For Taylor, these are the stages and games that players live for.
“I feel like we have a really good opportunity to go out and compete and win some games,” he said. “The Big 12 tournament is a lot of fun to play in, a lot of competition. We have the skills to go out there and win.”
TCU (32-18, 16-8 Big 12) feels good about what it accomplished in Big 12 play so far. The Frogs have locked in one of the top three seeds in the conference tournament and could possibly win (or share) the regular-season title for a second straight season.
Taylor and the Frogs’ offense have endured lulls at times this season, but they outscored the Kansas Jayhawks 53-11 in a three-game sweep last weekend. For the season, TCU ranks fourth in the Big 12 with 367 runs scored.
“I feel there’s a lot of confidence being built up right now,” Taylor said. “We’ve had success. We’re getting on a roll at the end.”
Added Mosiello: “You feel as good as you can. Baseball is all about confidence and we’ve got confidence right now.”
USA Baseball invites
TCU has a couple of players headed to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this summer.
Taylor and closer River Ridings are among those on the roster. Team USA’s summer tour is highlighted by a return to Honkbalweek Haarlem from July 8-15 at Pim Mulier Stadium in Haarlem, Netherlands.
“It’s awesome,” Taylor said. “It’s truly a blessing. It’s a really big honor to even be in the conversation for it. I’m excited for it. It’s going to be a fun time.”
Added Ridings, who is leading the Big 12 with 10 saves: “Playing for Team USA is a big deal, representing your country. It’s a great honor for sure.”
TCU coach Kirk Saarloos played on the team in the summer of 2000, taking part in the same Honkbalweek Haarlem that his players will experience.
“Anytime you can represent your country playing baseball and traveling around the globe doing it, it’s awesome,” Saarloos said. “It’ll be a great experience for them. They’re very deserving of it.”
TCU has now had 11 players appear on the Collegiate National Team roster since 2006.
He said it
Ridings on Taylor: “Brayden is one of the most talented guys I’ve seen play the game. Offense, defense, he can do it all.”
