Three Frogs Earn Preseason Accolades
2/3/2026 9:36:00 AM | Baseball
Four Frogs earn spots on Preseason Watch Lists
FORT WORTH – A trio of TCU baseball players have garnered preseason recognition from Baseball American. Noah Franco (1st-team), Sawyer Strosnider (2nd-team) and Chase Brunson (3rd-team) were tabbed Preseason All-Americans by the publication. Baseball America's All-American teams were voted on by MLB scouting departments.
Additionally, Baseball America released its first-ever preseason national award winners watch list. Strosnider and Franco were among 20 players on the Preseason College Player of the Year Watch List. Tommy LaPour was named to the Preseason College Pitcher of the Year Watch List, while Uli Fernsler was selected to the Preseason College Freshman of the Year Watch List.
Franco hit .313 as a freshman and ranked fourth on the team with 68 total hits. He led the team with 16 doubles and was tied for second with 11 home runs and 49 RBIs. He tied for second on the team with 20 multi-hit games and 13 multi-RBI contests. Franco also saw action on the mound, making three starts as part of eight appearances. In 12 1/3 innings of work, he racked up 18 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .245 batting average against.
Strosnider led the team with a .350 average, 77 hits, and 51 RBIs. His 10 triples on the year set a single-season TCU record and led the nation. He became the first player since 2010 and the first freshman since 2001 to post a quadruple-double with 13 doubles, 10 triples, 11 home runs and 10 stolen bases. He also led the team with 23 multi-hit games and ranked second with 13 multiple-RBI contests.
Brunson led the Frogs with 12 home runs in 2025 and stat third on the team with 46 RBIs. He hit .317 in 58 games played last season. Additionally, he contributed 13 doubles and two triples to go along with nine stolen bases. He posted 18 multi-hit games and led the team with 14 multi-RBI contests.
LaPour was a dominating force as a starter in 2025. He ranked second in the Big 12 with a 3.09 ERA over 16 starts. LaPour put together a stretch of six consecutive quality starts, the first such streak since Nick Lodolo in 2019. He led the team in wins (8), innings pitched (90.1) and strikeouts (88) while limiting opponents to a .231 average. In league play, LaPour was 6-0 with a 2.98 ERA. In 60 1/3 innings of work, he fanned 62 and limited opponents to a .230 average.
Fernsler made his way to Fort Wort from Novi High School in Michigan. A first-team Baseball America High School All-American, Fernsler earned 2025 Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year honors. A left-handed pitcher, he was also selected as the Detroit Free Press Prep Athlete of the Year.
TCU is gearing up for its season-opener set for Feb. 13 against Vanderbilt at Globe Life Field in Arlington. First pitch for the 2026 season is set for 3 p.m.
Additionally, Baseball America released its first-ever preseason national award winners watch list. Strosnider and Franco were among 20 players on the Preseason College Player of the Year Watch List. Tommy LaPour was named to the Preseason College Pitcher of the Year Watch List, while Uli Fernsler was selected to the Preseason College Freshman of the Year Watch List.
Franco hit .313 as a freshman and ranked fourth on the team with 68 total hits. He led the team with 16 doubles and was tied for second with 11 home runs and 49 RBIs. He tied for second on the team with 20 multi-hit games and 13 multi-RBI contests. Franco also saw action on the mound, making three starts as part of eight appearances. In 12 1/3 innings of work, he racked up 18 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .245 batting average against.
Strosnider led the team with a .350 average, 77 hits, and 51 RBIs. His 10 triples on the year set a single-season TCU record and led the nation. He became the first player since 2010 and the first freshman since 2001 to post a quadruple-double with 13 doubles, 10 triples, 11 home runs and 10 stolen bases. He also led the team with 23 multi-hit games and ranked second with 13 multiple-RBI contests.
Brunson led the Frogs with 12 home runs in 2025 and stat third on the team with 46 RBIs. He hit .317 in 58 games played last season. Additionally, he contributed 13 doubles and two triples to go along with nine stolen bases. He posted 18 multi-hit games and led the team with 14 multi-RBI contests.
LaPour was a dominating force as a starter in 2025. He ranked second in the Big 12 with a 3.09 ERA over 16 starts. LaPour put together a stretch of six consecutive quality starts, the first such streak since Nick Lodolo in 2019. He led the team in wins (8), innings pitched (90.1) and strikeouts (88) while limiting opponents to a .231 average. In league play, LaPour was 6-0 with a 2.98 ERA. In 60 1/3 innings of work, he fanned 62 and limited opponents to a .230 average.
Fernsler made his way to Fort Wort from Novi High School in Michigan. A first-team Baseball America High School All-American, Fernsler earned 2025 Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year honors. A left-handed pitcher, he was also selected as the Detroit Free Press Prep Athlete of the Year.
TCU is gearing up for its season-opener set for Feb. 13 against Vanderbilt at Globe Life Field in Arlington. First pitch for the 2026 season is set for 3 p.m.
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