Texas Tech University Athletics
2007 Baseball Preview: Part Three - The Outfield
January 28, 2007 | Baseball
Jan. 28, 2007
By Trey Shipman, Texas Tech Media Relations
With snow and ice still lingering in some areas from the winter storms which made their way through West Texas the last few weeks, Lubbockites can only assume one thing ¬ must be baseball season.
Longtime Texas Tech baseball coach Larry Hays and crew have become accustomed to the not-so-ideal weather conditions that seem to hit the Hub City on cue every year when his squad begins its spring workouts in mid-January. This season has proven to be no different and once again Hays has his team rolling with the punches and doing what it takes to be prepared for the grind of the season. With 17 returning letter-winners including 6 starters and the core of its pitching staff still intact, Tech has reason to be optimistic about 2007.
This is the last in a three-part series previewing the Red Raiders infield, outfield and pitching staff, giving Tech followers a better idea of just what to expect when the gates of Dan Law Field open for business in 2007. The sunflower seeds are flying and the grass (and turf) shone a bright green, dust off the bleachers ladies and gentlemen - it's baseball season in Raiderland.
The Outfield
The outfield could pose the biggest question mark for the Red Raiders as they embark upon 2007. However, one thing is certain - right field, it's on lock down. Remember the name Roger Kieschnick. The 6-foot-3 inch Kieschnich could be the best prospect to come through Lubbock since the likes of current San Diego Padres catcher Josh Bard.
Kieschnick tortured any and every opposing pitcher he faced last season as a true freshman en route to earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year Honors. The power-hittting Rockwall native will look to build on a season in which he hit .359 with nine home runs and 15 RBI, and lead what will likely be two new faces helping him patrol the allies in spacious Dan Law Field.
While towering in stature, the soft spoken and humble Kieschnick who was also named Third Team Preseason All-American by Baseball America, likes to keep things simple when it comes to his performance on the field. "You just go out there everyday and try to find a way to help your team win, that's all you can do," he said. "It's all about wins and loses." To make sure that the Red Raiders wins do in fact outnumber the losses, two others will need to step up to team with Kieschnick.
Hays has said that left and centerfield aren't nearly settled, though the situation in center is slightly more clear. Coming back from '06 are sophomores Drew Evans and Willie Rueda. Evans saw limited playing time filling in for Brian Capps last season, while Rueda's above average speed and slick fielding ability have tempted the Tech coaching staff to at the very least give him a serious look. Though he spent last season as the Red Raiders regular second baseman so whether or not he can the transition from the infield is still to be determined.
Also in the mix will be highly touted freshman Taylor Ashby from Lubbock's Monterey High School, however a nagging back injury has limited him in showing his true abilities.
"We like what we've got but they've got to play," Hays said. "We'll know about conference time what kind of players we've got. We've got some good young players, but they need to play. We've got the advantage of some experience coming back and that's huge to have but they've got to do it. Just because they're there doesn't mean they're going to do it."
As for left, Hays referred to the competition as being wide open with numerous players likely to get a shot. However, the leading candidate might very well be junior college transfer Geoff Byrnes. Byrnes spent two seasons at Chabot College in Concord, Calif., and in 2006 hit 17 home runs, knocked in 72 RBI as well as scoring 65 runs en route to being named the All-Coast Conference and NORCAL Player of the year.
A lack of talent doesn't appear to be a problem for the Tech outfielders and with Kieschnick leading the way the end result is promising.
"I think we've got a lot of depth, a lot of speed, a lot bats, a lot of arms," Kieschnick said, "so whatever the coaches decide to put out there, a lot of good players on the bench but everyone is gonna get their shot."
