The TCU Horned Frogs were in prime position to move forward in 2026. Fresh off an appearance in the 2025 NCAA tournament and with a strong roster that returned most of their core, TCU looked like a candidate to go to Omaha. Unfortunately, injuries and a rough go in road games scuttled the Horned Frogs’ 2026 campaign. Now, the club will reset with a different look for 2027.
The Returnees
Amidst an uneven year for TCU, a school that lost key pieces to injuries in 2026, Colton Griffin was one of the better players on the team last season.
Griffin, now a senior, slashed .289/.398/.359 with 41 hits in 42 games for the Horned Frogs. Out of all the players from the 2026 team who returned, Griffin was tops in hits.
Last year also saw now-sophomore Lucas Franco see significant time with TCU. A highly-touted prospect out of high school, life was not easy for him in 2026. Lucas slashed just .197/.313/.303 in 38 games last season as a freshman.
Noah Franco, meanwhile, was unable to replicate results from his strong 2025 freshman season. Noah missed over a month of the 2026 campaign, and slashed .229/.321/.385 with only four home runs and seven extra-base hits. And just like in 2025 (although not to the same extent), the strikeout rate was up, as he went down on strikes 32 times in 30 contests.
Former Tennessee transfer Cole Stern is also back for 2027.
As for the pitching staff, the headlining pitchers on the roster are Mason Brassfield, Lance Davis, and Cade Nelson.
Brassfield was one of the top freshmen pitchers in the country two years ago. Now a junior, he’ll look after he struck out 69 over 49 innings in 16 outings (eight starts). The left-hander has a pitch arsenal that’s very desirable from a pro standpoint, including a mid-90s four-seamer, sinker, and a firm slider.
Davis, a former Arkansas transfer, wound up being the innings leader for TCU last season. Running fastball that can run into the mid-90s, along with a slider.
Nelson wound up being the freshman who saw the most time last year. The tall right-hander struck out 23 over 27 innings and works with a bunch of different pitches, including a fastball, curveball, and changeup.
Aiden Barrientes, who missed much of 2026 last season due to injury, returned. Barrientes, a notable recruit two summers ago, made just two appearances in his freshman campaign.
Louis Rodriguez, a fifth-year player who didn’t pitch last season, is also back. Rodriguez struck out 47 over 48 innings during the 2025 campaign.
Other notable returning pitchers are Nate Stern and Uli Fernsler.
The Newcomers
TCU saw a massive exodus over the summer.
Chase Brunson, Sawyer Strosnider, and Tommy LaPour all went pro as expected losses. Cole Cramer was among the seniors who departed. However, the transfer portal losses were significant, as the Horned Frogs lost their top catchers. Brady Dallimore is now with Ole Miss, and Nolan Traeger went to Arkansas.
However, there are some replacements.
Infielder Beckett Zavorek came over from Big 12 rival Arizona State. Zavorek batted .306/.373/.450 with nine extra-base hits for the Sun Devils last season.
Trace Mazon had a very good, albeit shortened season with Coastal Carolina. Mazon batted .359 in 36 games with 47 total hits. He was one of several former Chanticleers to depart after Kevin Schnall went to South Carolina.
Saint Louis transfer Hank Gomric was a regular for the Billikens in 2026. Gomric batted .260 in 54 games, and also posted a .371 on-base percentage.
Senior Andrew Ermis batted .353 last season for Texas. However, went 6-for-17 in total last season, as the Texas Longhorns were very deep behind the plate.
James Nunnallee only started 10 games for Mississippi State in 2026. Nunnallee did have extra-base his in limited action.
The CC portal also yielded some finds, including position players Bammer Maes, Ryan Bradford, and Caleb Eager. Bradford came from Johnson County CC, while Eager and Maes were from Midland CC.
TCU’s roster also includes nine freshmen: Stevie Jones, Travis Sample, Logan Corley, Marcus Greis, Maverik Maddux, Chase Hilt, Kason Kolle, Kingston Kela, Brody Schumaker.
One of those last names should sound familiar, as Kingston is the younger brother of former Major Leaguer Keona Kela.
Check out more of our college baseball coverage.