TCU
Recruiting coordinator: Kirk Saarloos
Top recruit:
Riley Cornelio, RHP (No. 69)
Overview: TCU took a bigger class this year, a necessity after being hit hard in the draft over the last few years and last year going heavy on junior college transfers. This year’s group has the potential to quickly make an impact, both with pitchers and position players.
Hitters: Outfielder
Austin Plante (266) was a part of a loaded team at Lake Travis High in Austin, and his teammates
Brett Baty and
Jimmy Lewis were both selected on Day 1 of the draft. Unlike them, Plante made it to campus and gives TCU an athletic, lefthanded hitter to plug into its lineup. A former football player, he has a physical profile and plus power. Catcher
Kurtis Byrne (413) also offers physicality that translates both offensively and defensively. His arm strength and hitting ability play well right now, and he should be able to this season split time behind the plate with returning catcher
Zach Humphreys.
Phillip Sikes, a junior college transfer, can do a lot of things athletically on the diamond and has a chance to take over one of the outfield corners right away for TCU. He also has experience closing, and his fastball-slider combination plays well out of the bullpen. Outfielder
Sam Thompson runs well and has a physical, twitchy frame and intriguing upside if he can refine his approach.
Pitchers: Cornelio is the latest premium pitcher to join the Horned Frogs. He has solid stuff across the board, starting with a low-90s fastball and a pair of breaking balls that can be at least average offerings. He has an up-tempo delivery that adds deception, and as he learns to repeat it better, his command should improve. Righthander
Jacob Meador (172) is undersized at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds and his fastball sits in the upper 80s, but he throws it with a very high spin rate that leads to lots of swings and misses. He has advanced command and good feel for both his above-average curveball and changeup. That pitchability should help him quickly find a role with the Horned Frogs. Lefthander
Nolan Hudi also stands out for his pitchability and big-game experience. He’s not overpowering but has a good feel for manipulating the ball and pitches with an edge. TCU also added several important junior college transfers, led by righthander
Drew Hill (382). He began his college career at Utah Valley before transferring to junior college, where he impressed with a solid three-pitch arsenal. His fastball can get up to 97 mph in short stints and is typically in the low 90s when he starts, the role he likely will fill for the Horned Frogs. Righthander
Harrison Beethe has a big, physical frame and can also run his fastball up to 97 mph. He offers big upside if he can harness his powerful stuff. Righthander
Johnny Ray has been limited by injuries the last two years—first Tommy John surgery and then an oblique strain—and comes to TCU as a redshirt sophomore. He has been up to 95 mph and presents an exciting toolset if he can kick the injury bug. Lefthander Grant Miller is unconventional but won big at McLennan (Texas) JC. His fastball is essentially a cutter that sits 86-87 mph, and he pairs it with a slider with good depth. Lefthander Austin Krobe is more of a project who comes to TCU as a sophomore with raw upside.
Rank Name, Pos. B-T Ht. Wt. Drafted School
69 Riley Cornelio, RHP R-R 6-3 190 Pine Creek HS, Colorado Springs
172 Jacob Meador, RHP R-R 5-11 170 Mariners (31) Centennial HS, Burleson, Texas
266 Austin Plante, OF L-L 6-4 215 Lake Travis HS, Austin
382 Drew Hill, RHP R-R 6-0 180 South Mountain (Ariz.) JC
413 Kurtis Byrne, C R-R 6-1 210 Cardinals (38) Christian Brothers College HS, St. Louis
Phillip Sikes, OF/RHP R-R 6-2 190 D-backs (33) Pima (Ariz.) JC
Nolan Hudi, LHP L-L 6-0 185 Calvary Christian HS, Clearwater, Fla.
Harrison Beethe, RHP R-R 6-4 230 Brewers (39) North Iowa Area JC
Sam Thompson, OF L-L 6-0 195 Owasso (Okla.) HS
Johnny Ray, RHP R-R 6-3 205 Logan (Ill.) JC