Loaded with talent, No. 5 TCU baseball eager to follow up College World Series run
After a magical run to the College World Series in his second season, TCU baseball coach Kirk Saarloos knows expectations will be sky-high for the Horned Frogs in 2024.
Most outlets including D1Baseball have TCU ranked as a preseason top-five team and Big 12 coaches voted the Horned Frogs the overwhelming favorites to win the league with 11 of 13 first-place votes. TCU has won the Big 12 three straight seasons and a fourth title would equal the run from 2014-17.
While the outside noise has been flattering, that’s all it is — noise. Saarloos said the only thing motivating the team is its internal standards.
“Our expectations inside our walls and program are to be selfless, strive for excellence and play with energy,” Saarloos said. “If we do those three things the baseball will take care of itself. I don’t think they’re worried about where they’re ranked.”
While TCU is blocking out the noise a quick look at its roster shows why the lofty expectations are well earned. The Horned Frogs have to replace stars like Brayden Taylor and Cole Fontenelle, but even without that firepower there’s still a talented roster that received a boost from a number of transfers.
The most significant was Wichita State transfer Payton Tolle. A 6-foot-6, 250 pound junior Tolle just looks different from a physical standpoint. His game matches his impressive measureables.
Tolle is one of the nation’s best two-way players. He went 9-3 last season with 97 strikeouts and batted .313 and with 13 home runs.
After a lengthy preseason competition with his teammates in the bullpen, Tolle earned the opening day starting spot at 6:30 p.m. Friday against Florida Gulf Coast at Lupton Baseball Stadium. Saarloos said landing Tolle was a significant pickup.
“Tolle’s had some special outings since we’ve been back,” Saarloos said. “He’s been huge, he’s going to hit in the middle of our order and start at least opening weekend. So he’s been big not just baseball wise, but the type of kid he is, he’s been huge off the field.”
The third-year head coach mentioned it can be difficult at times integrating new players into the roster, but not with Tolle, who he says has meshed well with the culture TCU has established.
When Tolle was in the portal it was that culture that ultimately attracted him to join the Horned Frogs.
“The culture that has been here for the past 15 years has been pretty incredible,” Tolle said. “The standards that have been put up for this team have been really special. The community and the people around the program are pretty special. It’s been super exciting and pleasing in a way having this kind of support around campus.”
Tolle has plenty of support around him including fellow starter Kole Klecker. The sophomore posted a 10-4 record in 17 starts with 72 strikeouts. Klecker was named a freshman all-American by multiple outlets and was voted preseason All-Big 12.
Relief pitcher Ben Abeldt is another who earned preseason all-conference honors after he struck out 77 batters in 51 innings last season. Arkansas transfer Zach Morris will join Tolle and Klecker in the starting rotation opening weekend. He has 61 career appearances.
An offense that ranked near the top of the Big 12 in most categories also returns plenty of firepower. The continued progression of shortstop Anthony Silva is a key storyline to watch after Silva emerged as a rising star his freshman season.
A freshman all-American and all-Big 12 selection, Silva was named a first-team preseason all-American by Perfect Game. He drove in 50 runs with seven home runs, 17 steals and a .330 batting average. Silva also earned an invite to the USA Baseball College National Team training camp.
Despite all the attention and accolades Silva’s approach hasn’t changed one bit.
“He’s the kind of guy you have to say, hey you’re not allowed at the field today,” Saarloos said. “He was dealing with a lower back thing and the first day he got cleared I got a text that he was in the cages at 9 o’clock at night getting in swings. I said, ‘What are you doing?’
“He said ‘I’m behind,’ He’s never going to relax, he’s never going to read his press clippings. He might put too much pressure on himself, but he loves to work.”
Saarloos said Silva’s biggest contribution comes on defense where he’s the quarterback of TCU’s defense.
“In terms of knowledge and what we’re asking him to do from a defensive standpoint, it’s pretty fun,” Saarloos said. “You’re excited when the ball gets hit to shortstop.”
Another key piece back from last year is catcher Karson Bowen. Bowen had an impressive freshman season with 76 hits, 15 doubles, six home runs and .350 batting average that was the second highest on the team. Bowen was the fifth Horned Frog to receive all-Big 12 preseason honors.
Kurtis Byrne produced 10 home runs and 48 RBIs last season. The Horned Frogs go much deeper than the half dozen or so players mentioned and it’s the main reason why so many believe they have what it takes to make it back to Omaha.
Saarloos’ own growth during last year’s run is another factor that’ll be in TCU’s favor. Saarloos gained valuable experience after coaching in so many high stakes games.
“It made me grow immensely as a coach,” Saarloos said. “You go from 23-20 to going to the College World Series and being one of the four left. It teaches you a lot of different things. It teaches you how to go through trials as the head coach and making sure you’re doing your job and making sure everyone shows up every single day ready to go and stays galvanized.”
After countless intrasquad scrimmages the Horned Frogs will soon be able to turn their bats on a real opponent. TCU has had many magical baseball seasons and Friday could be the start of the next one.
