Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raider Profile: David Paiz
September 08, 2011 | Baseball
Sept. 8, 2011
Red Raider Profile: David Paiz | 
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LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech baseball team's fall season is just around the corner, and throughout the remainder of the semester Texas Tech Athletics Communications will take an inside look into the Tech program with Red Raider Profiles on each player.
David Paiz (RHP/UTL - 6-3, 195 - R/R - So./1L - Austin, Texas/Anderson)
Sophomore David Paiz was thrown under the microscope immediately during the start of his Texas Tech career in 2011, and you would have never known just 12 months before he was roaming the hallways at Anderson High School in Austin.
 | "We are looking for big things from him." - Dan Spencer |
He was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American - Tech's third selection in two seasons - after batting .284 (60-for-211) with 13 doubles, two home runs and 27 RBI while also going 3-5 on the mound in 17 appearances (9 starts) with 50.2 innings pitched with 34 strikeouts.
He became the first Texas Tech freshman to earn All-Big 12 first team since 2006 (Roger Kieschnick) and along with right-handed pitcher Trey Masek, was named to the first-ever Big 12 All-Freshman team.
In fact, Paiz was not only an Academic All-Big 12 selection, he was named to the prestigious John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Watch List. He was one of only three freshmen in the country named to the list.
"We are expecting a big year from David," head coach Dan Spencer said. "We are going to try and get him out of the outfield and get him to first base. We would use him more as a first baseman/relief pitcher more this year. We are looking for big things from him."
Paiz showcased his skills against Nebraska in game three of the conference series at Dan Law Field last spring when he became the first Red Raider in over 10 years to record a base hit and a save in the same game. Texas Tech defeated Nebraska 3-0 in the final competition between the Red Raiders and Huskers in Big 12 competition.
