Six TCU baseball players receive Big 12 Conference preseason honors
Freshman shortstop Anthony Silva steps into the batter’s box against the Rangers instructs on Oct. 14, 2022. (Photo courtesy of GoFrogs.com)
Published Jan 25, 2023
With the start of TCU baseball season only 23 days away, the Big 12 Conference has released the Preseason All-Big 12 First Team and individual honors. The Horned Frogs First Team All-Big 12 players include Shortstop Brayden Taylor, centerfielder Elijah Nunez, right fielder Austin Davis and pitchers Garrett Wright and Luke Savage. Taylor was named the Big 12 Conference Preseason Player of the Year.
Taylor, an All-Big 12 Second Team member in 2022, has the talent, tools and support to have a historic season for the Frogs in 2023. Last season, the Horned Frog third baseman ranked fifth in the Big 12 Conference with a .454 on-base percentage, and he also hit for power, tallying 13 home runs and 50 RBIs.
Taylor’s defense was just as impressive as his offense, as he frequently flashed his leather to make spectacular plays at the hot corner. When the season commences, he’ll have a new face with him in the infield: Anthony Silva, the Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year.
Head coach Kirk Saarloos and Co. desperately needed to replace shortstop Tommy Sacco, given the infielder was the Frogs’ most productive player in 2022. The Frogs added a promising player in Silva, a shortstop from San Antonio Texas, and given his Preseason honors, it’s fair to assume he’ll be a key player right out of the gates.
In the outfield, Nunez and Davis are a deadly duo that will use speed and patience to their advantage. In 2022, both players had on-base percentages over .400, and Nunez stole 31 bases, two more than Davis’ 29.
Among currently active Big 12 players, Nunez and Davis recorded the most steals last season. Surely that speed will translate to the outfield, and the duo will be able to cover ground at an elite level.
In addition, the Frogs have two solid, proven arms in Savage and Wright. In 2022, Savage threw 19.6 consecutive scoreless innings as a relief pitcher, and he held opposing batters to a .239 batting average while keeping a 2.72 ERA.
Wright recorded an eight-out save in an elimination game against Oral Roberts in the College Station Regional. He settled into the closing role as the season continued, finishing with a 2.89 ERA.
