Baylor Baseball Season Preview: Bailey, Bergman Are Freshmen To Keep An Eye On

As Baylor baseball’s Opening Day matchup against Youngstown State (Feb. 14) approaches, it's time to start breaking down the roster, plus the biggest storylines and questions heading into the 2025 season. Today, we’ll assess the top incoming freshmen on the team.

LHP Carson Bailey (6-foot-3, 195 pounds): Richardson, Texas | J.J. Pearce HS

Not only was left-handed pitcher Carson Bailey one of Baylor’s most impressive freshmen throughout the fall, but he was also one of the most impressive players on the roster. Bailey consistently throws strikes, has multiple offspeed pitches and has a fastball in the low-to-mid-90s.

As of right now, it sounds like the coaching staff will potentially use him in the midweek starter role, but as the season progresses, don’t be surprised to see Bailey become an important arm for the Bears during conference play. Beyond just this season, he has a chance to be a special player for Baylor.

Bailey hails from J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas. He missed his junior season because of Tommy John surgery and flew under the radar until the fall of 2023, when he was a late riser in the recruiting process. Baylor beat out multiple Big 12 schools to secure Bailey’s commitment.

RHP Brayden Bergman (6-foot-1, 200 pounds): Parker, Texas | Plano East HS

Right-handed pitcher Brayden Bergman is the highest-profile freshman that head coach Mitch Thompson has been able to land so far in his three-year tenure at Baylor.

At one point, there was some worry that Bergman could get drafted and signed by an MLB team before ever getting to campus. Instead, Bergman had an injury-riddled senior season at Plano East High School and arrived in Waco this summer.

Bergman’s family ties helped him land at Baylor. His older brother, Caleb, is a junior outfielder for the Bears. His father, Brett, played at Baylor from 1995-1998. Now, Brayden will be able to continue his family’s legacy, donning the Green and Gold.

Bergman, who is heralded for his fastball in the mid-to-upper-90s, will likely start his career out of the bullpen. The velocity that Bergman possesses is something that the roster hasn’t had in recent memory.

INF Pearson Riebock (6-foot-0, 175 pounds): Rockwall, Texas | Rockwall HS

In almost every intrasquad scrimmage throughout the fall, one of the young position players was doing something positive. In particular, the outfield trio — Hunter Snow, Brayden Mulkey and Samuel Jenkins — has a bright future. Still, with seniors Enzo Apodaca, Ty Johnson and Wesley Jordan anchoring the outfield this spring, it’ll be challenging for the younger players to get a ton of playing time.

Meanwhile, infielder Pearson Riebock has the best chance of the freshmen position players to make a positive impact this spring. Riebock has a sweet swing from the left side and hit .340 with two home runs and 17 stolen bases as a senior at Rockwall High School. Riebock was initially committed to Oklahoma but was forced to pivot in late June last summer. Baylor swiftly came in, and Riebock committed to the Bears in July.

More Reading

• Faith, Injury and Hope: The Resilient Return of Hunter Simmons
• Top Questions Surrounding Baylor Baseball Heading Into Mitch’s Thompson Third Season
• Baylor Baseball Season Preview: Pair Of Pitchers Highlight Top Transfers
• Baylor Baseball Season Preview: Outfield Trio Headlines Top Returning Players
• Baylor Baseball Season Preview: Simmons, Little Highlight Top Wildcards
• Practices Underway for Mitch Thompson and Baylor Baseball: ‘Our Guys Are Excited’