Breaking: Baylor Baseball Outfielders Hunter Simmons, Gavin Brzozowski Out for Season

Baylor baseball outfielders Hunter Simmons (Sr.) and Gavin Brzozowski (RSo.) will miss the rest of the 2024 season with injuries, head coach Mitch Thompson announced on Monday.

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Less than two weeks into the season, Baylor has lost three major contributors for the year with an injury.

In the top of the first inning against No. 23 Indiana on Friday night, Simmons suffered a fractured ankle after crashing into the left field wall to prevent an extra-base hit. Instead of making the catch, his left foot was caught in the outfield wall padding, and he instantly fell to the ground awkwardly. Shortly after, he was carted off the field.

Losing Simmons is a detrimental blow to the Bears' batting order and clubhouse. Simmons is the cleanup hitter and the heart and soul of this Baylor squad. Through four games, Simmons had been BU’s hottest hitter and led the team in both extra-base hits (4) and RBIs (6).

Meanwhile, Brzozowski suffered a season-ending injury in the fifth inning against Oregon on Feb. 17. Although he didn’t start on Opening Day against Nebraska, Brzozowski got the nod in left field on Saturday and went 1-for-2 at the plate with an RBI before going down.

After an encouraging redshirt freshman season in 2023, Brzozowski was expected to see a significant amount of playing time for the Bears this spring and had the potential to have a breakout year. He ended last season on a tear and was 11-for-26 at the plate over his final eight games.

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Outfielder Gavin Brzozowski (RSo.) had the potential to have a breakout season for the Bears.

Entering this spring, Thompson believed his batting order would have more depth, noting, “I like our position players. I think we’re going to be able to have 12 or 13 different guys that we could put out there and expect something good to happen.”

Unfortunately, less than two weeks into the year, that’s no longer the case. Simmons, Brzozowski, and Wichita State transfer infielder Jack Little, who were all expected to be major contributors, will each miss the rest of the season with injuries.

First baseman John Youens (Fr.) from Bosqueville is also out for the year, per Thompson.