Baylor Baseball Season Preview: Top Three Newcomers

As Baylor baseball’s Opening Day matchup against Nebraska (Feb. 16) at Globe Life Field approaches, it's time to start breaking down the roster, plus the biggest storylines and questions heading into the 2024 season. 

Today, we’ll assess the top three newcomers. So far, we’ve looked at the top returners, and in the coming weeks, I’ll highlight the top wildcards, the most impactful freshmen and the biggest questions surrounding head coach Mitch Thompson’s squad going into Year Two.

Enzo Apodaca: Redshirt Junior Outfielder (Gonzaga)

The jewel of this offseason’s transfer class is Enzo Apodaca, a speedy outfielder from Gonzaga who is a former Freshman All-American and was a 2023 All-Star in the Cape Cod League, one of the premier summer ball leagues in the country.

Gonzaga Athletics

Apodaca started all 52 games for the Zags in 2023 and held a .281 batting average.

Apodaca, originally from Scottsdale, Arizona, should instantly join Hunter Teplanszky (Jr.) and Ty Johnson (Jr.) atop the Bears’ batting order this spring. He started all 52 games for the Zags in 2023 and hit .281, scored 39 runs, racked up 13 doubles and got on base at a .382 clip.

Defensively, Baylor struggled to find adequate outfield play last season, and with Apodaca’s mix of speed and athleticism, he will fill a much-needed hole at either left or right field.

Ty Johnson: Junior Outfielder (McLennan CC)

Since Thompson took the job at Baylor from McLennan Community College, Ty Johnson’s cross-town arrival has been long anticipated. The former Highlander was a multiple-time NTJCAC all-conference honoree and was a key member of the 2022 squad that went to the Junior College World Series.

In 2023, Johnson led the team with a .364 batting average and held an eye-popping .488 on-base percentage. Overall, Johnson is a very similar player to Apodaca — both are toolsy, contact-first outfielders who will hit toward the top of the order and can put a lot of pressure on a defense with their speed. 

Tyriq Kemp: Junior Shortstop (Western Oklahoma CC)

After Apodaca and Johnson, you can make a case for several different newcomers who will be the biggest contributors — Mason Greer (Missouri State), Wesley Jordan (Navarro) or Jack Little (Wichita State) — but I’m going with junior shortstop Tyriq Kemp from Western Oklahoma Community College.

Robert Bos

Kemp is originally from The Netherlands and was a member of the 2021 U23 and 2018 U18 European Championship teams.

At 5-foot-7, 150 pounds, don’t let Kemp’s small frame make you overlook the talent he possesses. In the scrimmages I attended this fall, he showed a great deal of pop at the plate and a rocket arm at shortstop. He plays the game with a certain energy and swagger that the Baylor program desperately needs an infusion of, and he’ll quickly develop into a fan favorite. 

After hitting .375 with nine homers last year in JUCO ball, it’s always a bit of a question mark on how that will transition to the Power Five level. Obviously, each player is different, but that will be something to monitor for Kemp, as well as Johnson, across the first couple weeks of the season.