2017 TCU Baseball Positional Preview - Outfield

TCU Baseball begins on February 17th when the Horned Frogs host Penn State at Lupton Stadium. The Horned Frogs enter the season ranked as the consensus #1 team in college baseball. As we get closer to the season opener we at Purple Menace will take a more in depth look at each position group so you are ready for what could be another magical season at Lupton Stadium. The second group up is the Outfield.

Left Field - Josh Watson

Watson tied for the team lead with 11 home runs last year as a freshman. He also led the team with five triples and hit .280. His 65 strikeouts led the team, but his power/speed combo make him invaluable in the middle of the lineup. Expect him to be more patient as he’s now seen college pitching for a full season.

Center Field - Nolan Brown

Nolan Brown returns after a foot injury caused him to miss all of 2016. He was the everyday right fielder in 2016, but will shift to centerfield in 2017. Jim Schlossnagle said Brown was the best defensive player he’s had at TCU and his defense makes the team better. He has the ability to steal 40-50 bases if he can get on base enough. He will be penciled in as the lead-off hitter and will keep the spot at the top if he gets on base.

Right Field - Austen Wade

Wade emerged last season after Nolan Brown’s injury opened up the competition in right field between Wade and Ryan Johnson. Wade plays solid defense in right and his ability to work the count and get on base made him a great lead-off hitter last year. Wade hit .286 and led the team with 57 walks in 64 games (58 starts). His .434 on base percentage was second on the team in 2016. He will likely begin the season as the number nine hitter, but could flip spots with Nolan Brown depending who’s hotter at the time.

Reserves

Austin Ingraham

Ingraham comes to TCU from North Central Texas College where he honed his craft after three stellar years of varsity baseball at Fossil Ridge High School in Keller. Ingraham adds another power bat off of the bench. In the Purple/White scrimmages, he hit two home runs off of our pitchers, so you know he can hit.

Evan Williams

Much like Nolan Brown, Williams missed all of last season due to injury. He will provide another good defensive outfielder for late game situations and adds a left handed bat off of the bench. He can hit a little too, in 2015 Williams hit .350 in 21 games.

Cal Coughlin

The freshman will be used mainly as a relief pitcher, but the righty was a very good hitter in high school as well. Coughlin hit .431 with three home runs and 25 RBIs as a senior at Lake Forest HS in Lake Forest, IL. Could see some time in left or right field early in the season.

Haylen Green

The lefty will also be used primarily as a relief pitcher, but earned 2016 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American honors as a senior at Lufkin HS in Lufkin, TX. Could add depth in the corner outfield spots.

Connor Wanhanen

Wanhanen will likely play mainly designated hitter or first base, but played some right field in 2015 and 2016. Could see some action in the outfield again in 2017.