Texas A&M Baseball 2018: Projecting the Aggies starting lineup
By Tim England
It’s baseball time in College Station. The 2018 Texas A&M baseball season will soon be underway. Here’s how the lineup looks from one to nine.
More: Previewing the 2017 Texas A&M baseball schedule
College Baseball finally returns to Olsen Field tonight as the No. 11 Texas A&M Aggies begin their 2018 campaign against Rhode Island. After a phenomenal 2017 season ending with a trip back to Omaha, the Aggies return a deep lineup with all intentions of making a return trip to the College World Series.
Led by junior catcher Cole Bedford and All-American shortstop Braden Shewmake, Texas A&M will play host to a number of elite squads this year such as Florida and LSU. Let’s break down the projected starting lineup.
Infield and designated hitter
Catcher: Cole Bedford
You could argue that catcher is the deepest position this year for Texas A&M. From newcomer Chris Andritsos to senior Blaine Schoenvogel, the Aggies are loaded behind the plate. However, the man who will lead not just from behind the plate but the whole team in general will be junior Cole Bedford. Bedford logged 44 starts behind the plate last season after redshirting his freshman year. In addition to hitting .301 at the plate with 26 RBI, Bedford compiled a 0.997 fielding percentage with only one error the entire year.
1B: Hunter Coleman
Sophomore Hunter Coleman could succeed this year at several positions on the diamond. Last year, Coleman started 42 times: 23 at catcher, 10 at first base and nine as the designated hitter. As solid as Coleman performed behind the plate, I see Hunter Coleman taking over first base full-time with some solid backup from Frizzell and Andritsos. The 2017 campaign ended with Coleman being named to the All-SEC Freshman team after batting .283 with five home runs and 22 RBI.
2B: Michael Helman
The 2017 National Junior College Athletic Association Player of the Year comes to College Station this year. Junior Michael Helman looks to make an immediate impact for Texas A&M after two incredible years at Hutchinson Community College. When I say incredible, I mean setting the single-season school record for hits with 111 and racking up a .487 batting average. Helman will be taking over second base for Braden Shewmake as Shewmake shifts over to shortstop.
3B: George Janca
Junior George Janca is the iron man of this team coming into 2018. After starting 24 games his freshman this year, Janca appeared in all 64 games in 2017 and started in 60 of them at third base. Janca racked up a .261 batting average and 30 RBI while maintaining a 0.928 fielding percentage. Janca led the team with 12 errors last year and looks to improve on that throughout the 2018 season.
Over the summer, Janca played 28 games with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League and had a phenomenal summer. After hitting .327 at the plate along with 12 RBI, Janca was selected to play in the Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game.
SS: Braden Shewmake
What can I say that hasn’t already been said about Sophomore Braden Shewmake? The All-American was the only Aggie to start every game in 2017 and now shifts over to shortstop from 2nd base. Shewmake had a phenomenal year in 2017, hitting .328 with an amazing 69 RBI and 11 Home Runs. His 90 hits landed him fourth in the SEC and first among all D1 freshman. Shewmake has been listed on several preseason award watch lists including the Golden Spikes Award. The bottom line is this: the Aggie offense starts and ends with Braden Shewmake. Look for him to capitalize on his freshman year and lead this team at the plate.
DH: Chris Andritsos
A transfer from Oklahoma, Sophomore Chris Andritsos has been waiting for some time to take the field for Texas A&M. After having to sit out all of 2017 due to a NCAA transfer rule change, Andritsos has been perfecting his long ball with the Brazos Valley Bombers and waiting for his debut with Texas A&M. Andritsos hit .235 with 12 RBI in 18 games with the Bombers.
Outfield
LF: Logan Foster
Starting 44 games for Texas A&M last year, sophomore Logan Foster returns to capitalize off a solid freshman campaign which ended in him being named to the All-SEC Freshman team. Additionally, Foster was named SEC Freshman of the Week last March after his performance vs. Texas Tech in the Shriner’s Classic. Foster went 4-for-5 with three runs, two doubles, one home run and two RBI. Foster split most of his starts between right field and designated hitter and also started twice in left field. Over the summer, Foster has made significant progress on his swing, hitting .306 for the Wisconsin Woodchucks of the Northwoods League.
CF: Zach Deloach
Not often do you see the District 6-6A District Pitcher of the Year for 2017 being projected to start in the outfield. However, freshman Zach Deloach out of Hebron, TX is not your everyday baseball player. Deloach hit .381 at the plate with a .571 on-base percentage and .619 slugging percentage while maintaining a 2.02 ERA his senior year at Hebron High School. I expect this big bat to make an early impact for Texas A&M.
RF: Will Frizzell
With the departure of Jorge Gutierrez and injury to sophomore Cam Blake, one spot in the outfield will require someone to majorly step up for Texas A&M. Freshman Will Frizzell out of Rockwall High School will be moved to the outfield and provide another big-time bat for this Aggie lineup. Frizzell racked up 51 RBI and six home runs while maintaining a .417 batting average his senior year at Rockwall HS. At the conclusion of his senior year, Frizzell was named District 11-6A Offensive MVP. Additionally, Frizzell played his summer ball with the Dallas Patriots.
Next: A how to guide to Texas A&M baseball traditions
Texas A&M kicks off the 2018 season Friday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 PM and will be broadcast on the SEC Network Alternate Channel.
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