Any time that there’s a change in management with a university sports activities crew, there can be loads of new faces to be taught, and loads of acquainted faces taking over new roles.

With Kansas Baseball getting a brand new coach after the retirement of Ritch Value, there are many new faces to be taught. Over the following few weeks as we ramp as much as the beginning of the season, we’ll check out the crew, class by class. Up first are the freshman.

Mitchell Birdsall-Birdsall is from San Jose, California, the place he attended Valley Christian Faculties earlier than he signed with Kansas as a freshman. His main place is catcher, however he additionally confirmed the power to play third and first. One factor he presents is a fast switch and quick launch, that are traits you search for in catchers. He has a whole lot of potential not solely behind the plate however swinging the bat as properly. I anticipate Birdsall to be taught from the upperclassman and can proceed to develop his skillset within the 2023 season.

Kodey Shojinaga-Shojinaga signed to play baseball at Kansas from Honolulu, Hawaii, the place he performed highschool baseball at Mid Pacific Institue. His main place is catcher, however he exhibits his versatility as he additionally performs first base and third base and might pitch. Head coach Fitzgerald stated this about Shojinaga, “Kodey was very spectacular this fall and acclimated shortly to enjoying a number of positions. He has a easy swing and an important perspective. He’ll think about instantly”.

Cooper Kelly-Kelly, a neighborhood product from Blue Valley Southwest highschool, selected to signal with the Kansas Jayhawks as a freshman. Kelly supplies head coach Dan Fitzgerald with some versatility, ” Cooper offers us nice choices as he can play all 4 infield spots. His switch-hitting capability additionally offers us some matchup choices offensively.” Kelly sports activities a powerful athletic construct which is seen on the plate. He additionally demonstrates his clean basic footwork within the area paired with good arm energy to throw runners out. As he beneficial properties expertise, he’ll turn into a great school baseball participant.

Jackson Klein- Klein, one other native product who attended Park Hill Excessive College in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, signed with Kansas as a freshman. Head coach Fitzgerald stated this about Klein, “Jackson fought via accidents this fall and got here on robust as soon as he was cleared. He is obtained an important left-handed swing and a really mature strategy.”

Ike Cobb-Cobb, who grew up down the road from the college, signed with the Jayhawks out of Lawrence Excessive College. The RHP has a whole lot of potential, particularly together with his dimension 6″5′, 260lbs. The massive righty instructions his fastball at 82-84 mph paired with a slider.

Parker Grant-Grant, like Kodey Shojinaga, involves Kansas from Honolulu, Hawaii as a freshman, the place he attended Maryknoll highschool. Grant is a right-handed pitcher with a fastball sitting at 85-87 mph, and this pitch is paired with a changeup and a slider. The changeup velocity sits round 72-76 mph, and the slider is 74-76 mph.

Toby Haarer-Haarer signed with the Jayhawks as a freshman from Scottsdale, Arizona, the place he attended highschool at Desert Moutain. He’s a right-handed pitcher with a fastball sitting within the 87-88 mph vary topping out at 89 mph. He additionally throws two secondary pitches, a slider, and a changeup. The slider sits constantly round 76 mph, and the changeup is 80 mph.

Karter Muck-Muck signed with the Jayhawks as a freshman after attending St. Pius X Excessive College in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. Muck is a right-handed pitcher with a fastball sitting round 87-91 mph and a changeup clocking in at 82-83 mph. His third pitch is a curveball that has a velocity of 73-75 mph. Head coach Fitzgerald stated, “Karter has a plus fastball and is a very good athlete. He is a tough employee and an important teammate. Karter goes to be an important Jayhawk.”

Luke Metzker-Metzker signed with the Jayhawks as a freshman from Reno, Nevada, the place he attended Bishop Manogue Catholic highschool. The correct-handed pitcher throws a fastball round 88 mph with two secondary pitches, a changeup, and a curveball. His changeup has a velocity between 70-79 mph and the curveball 68-72 mph.