Horned Frogs' star-studded roster propels them to unanimous No. 1 Big 12 baseball status, aiming for title and deep postseason run.
Expectations are sky-high in Fort Worth as the TCU Horned Frogs enter the 2026 season as the clear favorite to win Big 12 baseball.
In the league’s preseason poll voted on by head coaches, TCU claimed the top spot unanimously, marking the third time in the last four seasons the Horned Frogs have been picked first and the sixth time overall in program history.
TCU is coming off its 18th NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 21 years, a stretch that has firmly established the program as one of the nation’s most reliable postseason teams.
Arizona, fresh off a Big 12 Tournament title in its inaugural season in the league, landed at No. 2, while reigning regular-season champion West Virginia followed at No. 3.
Arizona State and a Kansas–Oklahoma State tie rounded out the top half of the poll, reflecting the depth of the conference heading into opening day on Feb. 13.
While the team vote told one story, the individual preseason awards told another - and it was overwhelmingly purple.
TCU claimed three of the four major preseason honors, led by sophomore outfielder Sawyer Strosnider, who was named Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year.
Strosnider is coming off a historic freshman campaign in 2025. He led the nation in triples and became the first freshman in more than two decades to post double figures in doubles (13), triples (10), home runs (11), and stolen bases (10) in the same season.
His performance earned him both Perfect Game National Freshman Player of the Year and NCBWA National Freshman Hitter of the Year honors, along with multiple preseason All-America selections.
On the mound, Tommy LaPour took home Preseason Pitcher of the Year recognition. The right-hander posted a 3.09 ERA last season, the second-best mark in the Big 12, while leading TCU in wins (8), innings pitched (90.1), and strikeouts (88). He was especially dominant in conference play, going a perfect 6-0.
The future also looks bright, as Lucas Franco was tabbed Preseason Freshman of the Year. A highly regarded Texas recruit, Franco brings speed, plate discipline, and athleticism after a standout high school career in Katy.
With a veteran core, elite young talent, and national expectations, TCU enters 2026 carrying both pressure and opportunity. If the preseason projections hold true, the Horned Frogs won’t just be chasing another Big 12 title ... they’ll be eyeing a deep run in June.