January 26, 2026
Let's be honest: 2025 was rough in Lubbock. 20-33 overall, worst record since 1985. But this brings opportunity.
Here's what's happening behind the scenes that most people don't know: Tim Tadlock and his staff added 27 new players this offseason (13 of them were high school players). They brought in 16 new pitchers specifically to fix that ERA problem.
Robin Villeneuve (Second Team All-Big 12, .365 avg, 12 HRs) got an extra year of eligibility and is back. Logan Hughes led the Big 12 in home runs (19 HRs, .333 avg) and returns as a junior. The pieces are there. The talent is coming. And Lubbock in 2026 is going to look very different than 2025.
2027 Current Commits:
- Mariano Gonzalez LHP
- Jake Berry - LHP
- Luke Donaldson - 1B
- Zachary Lepine - C
- William Walbridge - 1B
- Beckam Whiteside - 1B
2028 Current Commits: They are actively evaluating and recruiting players leading up to the summer commitment.
The JUCO Pipeline is Back
13 JUCO players on the 2026 roster—that's the Texas Tech DNA. Tadlock built his reputation finding diamonds in the JUCO ranks and developing them into winners. Here's a taste of what's coming:
- Nate Ferraro & Andrew Quintanar (Blinn College teammates): Combined 33 home runs in 2025
- Andrew Quintanar (C): .407 avg, 15 HRs, 57 RBIs at Blinn
- Ryan Free (RHP): Back at Texas Tech after 5-1, 3.44 ERA season at Angelo State
These aren't projects—these are proven winners at their level ready to compete in the Big 12.
The Foundation
- Lubbock, Texas (West Texas grit)
- ~40,000 students
- Big 12 Conference
- Rip Griffin Park (Dan Law Field)
- Tim Tadlock: 13th season as head coach
The Legacy
- 18 NCAA Tournament appearances
- 3 College World Series appearances
- 2016 Big 12 Champions
- Four All-Big 12 players in 2025 despite tough season
- Consistent JUCO-to-MLB development pipeline
The Coach: Tim Tadlock (13th Season at Texas Tech)
- Built program into consistent tournament contender
- Reputation as elite JUCO talent evaluator
- Completely overhauled bullpen strategy for 2026
- Knows how to bounce back (did it before after tough seasons)
Why He Matters: Tadlock openly admits 2025 didn't go as planned and made major changes. That's a coach who adapts. He hired a new pitching strategy, brought in 16 new arms, and rebuilt the roster from scratch. Most coaches make excuses—Tadlock made moves.
What Happened in 2025
20-33 overall (worst since 1985) 6.19 team ERA (pitching injuries destroyed the season)
The Bright Spots:
- Logan Hughes: Big 12 home run leader (19 HRs)
- Damian Bravo: First Team All-Big 12
- Robin Villeneuve: Second Team All-Big 12 (.365, 12 HRs)
- Jack Cebert: Second Team All-Big 12, 7-3 as reliever
The talent was there. The depth and pitching weren't. That's being fixed.
The Stadium: Rip Griffin Park (Dan Law Field)
- One of college baseball's best atmospheres
- West Texas baseball culture runs deep
- Fans show up even in rebuilding years
Why Texas Tech in 2026
- 27 new players added (massive roster overhaul)
- 16 new pitchers specifically to fix ERA
- 13 JUCO transfers (back to Texas Tech DNA)
- Key returners: Hughes (19 HRs), Villeneuve (.365)
- Tadlock's track record of bouncing back
- Big 12 competition prepares you for anything
- JUCO-to-pro development pipeline proven
- Ground-floor opportunity to be part of turnaround
This is your chance to be part of writing the comeback story.ar turns out a little better. We learn from those failures."
How We Help
Most families avoid programs coming off tough seasons. Smart families see opportunity when coaching staffs completely reload rosters and bring in talent everywhere. We help you identify which rebuilds are real and which ones are just talk.
Texas Tech brought in 27 new players. That's not talk—that's action.
Start 2026 with a Smart Strategy
If your athlete wants to be part of a program that's rebuilding the right way with a proven coach, let's talk.
Schedule Your Strategy Call with Alex
Texas Tech is building something in 2026. Make sure your athlete is part of the turnaround.
To your son's success.
Alex SwensonCollege Baseball AdvisorFormer D1 Coach, Scout, & Recruiter
P.S. I help baseball players and their families get interest and offers from their top schools.
- Premier Athletes Recruiting Program (4-figure investment) – Full-service: coaches outreach, video creation, bi-weekly check-ins, and our proven playbook to turn interest into legit offers.
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About Alex
Meet your college baseball recruiting specialist: Alex Swenson.
As a high school baseball player, I navigated the college recruiting process all on my own. Despite average statistics, I landed a spot on a Division-1 baseball team Jacksonville University, where I became a 3-time team captain. Post-college, I became a D1 coach, scout, and recruiter at Georgetown University and Ole Miss, where we won an SEC championship.
After experiencing the process as both recruit and recruiter, I’ve successfully dissected the best strategies to connect with college coaches and draw offers from them.
After experiencing the process as both recruit and recruiter, I’ve successfully dissected the best strategies to connect with college coaches and draw offers from them.
Learn more about Alex’s Experience
Premier Athletes Recruiting Program
Receive professional direction from Alex himself until your son commits to his desired school. A step-by-step action plan will be provided with strategic small-group coaching meetings every 2 weeks to ensure we are making progress. Included is a baseball networking platform that connects him to coaches, optimizes his exposure to scouts, alerts him to college camps and showcases, and MUCH MORE.
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