Mitch Thompson era officially underway for Baylor Baseball

WACO, Texas – The Mitch Thompson era is officially underway as team practices began on Monday at Baylor Ballpark

While the six weeks of fall ball are about competition and setting the roster for the spring, it also serves as a reminder of the optimism for the future of the Baylor Baseball program. 

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Mitch Thompson is entering his first year as the head baseball coach.

Only a few months prior, the mood surrounding the team was much tenser. With rumors of a coaching change on the horizon and a lot of unmet expectations, it was understandably not a pleasant situation.

But since Thompson was hired in June to take over the reins of the program, the vibes around the ballpark are much more positive, and the time to buy stock into Baylor Baseball is now.

“[People] are going buy into it [baseball program] because they are going to like these kids. They are going to like how these guys are going to play. They are going to like how they get after it… I think the community and everybody is going to rally around this,” Thompson said.

“It’s a process. We are not a finished product in any way, shape, or form. We’ve got a long way to go. There are improvements to be made, and it’s going to take some time,” Thompson said. “But they’ll like the way these kids play, and when they get to know these kids, they’ll be really proud they are Baylor Bears.”

As for the roster for the upcoming spring, it starts with Blake Helton. The fifth-year senior from Austin was all but ready to say goodbye to baseball before Coach Thompson gave him a call this summer in an attempt to convince the talented pitcher to return.

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Blake Helton will be the only player on the roster who has spent four years at BU.

Helton believed in Thompson’s plan for the program and was elated at the idea of spending one more year in Waco competing on the mound and being able to bring a veteran presence to the clubhouse.

“I see myself as a leader on the team,” Helton said.

And on a team where just under half of the 53 players on the current roster are returning players, the fifth-year senior’s leadership will be vital.

“To have more newcomers than returners this year is definitely a change. But it’s one that the returners have really embraced. We love all the new guys. It’s bringing new competition like we have never had before. I think our team is going to be a lot better for it,” Helton said.

One of those new faces is Cole Posey, a Georgetown, Texas native who made stops at Boise State and New Mexico before ultimately ending up back in Waco this summer.

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Over half of the 53 current players are incoming freshmen or transfers from other schools.

The middle infielder grew up in a family full of BU grads and dreamed of being able to play at Baylor Ballpark. When the opportunity of grad-transferring presented itself this summer, returning to Baylor was “definitely full circle” for Posey.

Before making that decision, however, Posey spoke with some friends who were former players under Thompson at McLennan Community College. They told the Georgetown native if they could go back and play, Coach Thompson would be the only person they’d go back and play for.

“Coach Thompson’s reputation precedes himself,” Posey said. “Phenomenal man, great coach, knows how to win, but is really invested in the people.”

Jack was able to come take photos, but Baylor has not released a roster and there are many new faces with the team this fall so player names could not be tagged in the photos.