The Prairie View A&M University baseball team kicked off fall practice later than anticipated this semester. The 2022-2023 team returns several starters at key positions but lost two players to the transfer portal. As a result, the panthers brought in more pitching (7 pitchers) depth from Texas junior colleges.
In all, this year’s team will feature 14 junior college transfers and one four-year transfer. Also, seven freshmen round out a fall roster that consists of 46 players for fall camp. In addition, 25 returnees will round out the fall roster for this semester. Due to the NCAA rules, the Panthers are able to have a roster of 40 this upcoming season.
In the infield, the Panthers key players from last season are: Ben Ybarra (3b), Zachary Trevino (SS), Blake Redman (2b), Alex Martinez (1b), Sebastian Coria (3b/1b) and Paul Castro(C). As the fall has materialized, they have seen some dynamic play from some of the junior college transfer (Isaac Davila, Cameron Upchurch, and Marshall Jonas) as well as true freshmen (Ahmar Donatto and Cameron Franklin) that has bolstered the depth on this year team, because some of the new players have made a case to vie for playing time and have made it harder for HBCU large school Coach of the Year, head coach Auntwan Riggins.
In the outfield, it has been really tough competition, because this is the only position that returns no every day starter from last season. Jayden Williams is the only current outfielder who has played a SWAC game last year. Juco transfers and freshman have competed well this fall and have demonstrated strong promise for the outfield group.
On the mound, the Panthers have several juco transfers who have been dominate in some of the fall scrimmages which will make the pitching staff stronger than this past season. Some of the returnees such as Ty Tubbs, Victor Mendoza, Matt Krall and Michael Dews have displayed great stuff but expect several juco newcomers (Austin Bell, Eli Breeden, Cody Smith and Gentry Busch) to compete for starting rotational spots for this season.
In all, the fall has started later than expected but it has shown a making of a really athletic and strong team that should be able to compete for the divisional and SWAC championship next spring.
As the fall continues, the players must continue to work and become prepared for a hard schedule in 23. The panthers will play JUCO powerhouse San Jacinto College on October 10 and Alvin College on October 15.
These games will give a strong gauge on where the Panthers are currently and provide an opportunity for the coaching staff to see who can handle the pressure of playing strong outside opponents to see who is ready to play next spring.