Top 25 Returning Big 12 Baseball Players, No. 14: Nick Loftin, Baylor IF
He’s off to a great start for his sophomore season, but Loftin isn’t No.14 for four games against Holy Cross. This Corpus Christi Ray product earned d1baseball.com and Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-America honors in 2018.
The 6-foot-1, 165 pounder played in 55 games, started in 53 and hit .306 in 222 at-bats. Loftin racked up 18 extra-base hits, including six home runs. Four of those homers came during Big 12 play. His average jolted up to .321. Loftin is a five-tool player. He can hit for average and for power. He’s already pitched an inning of relief this season, so he can obviously throw. He also stole four bases against Big 12 catchers last season, so he can run. The one thing holding Loftin back from being a five-tool player as a sophomore is his fielding. Loftin committed 12 errors in his 55 games last season. He’s already committed one this year. This is something that can be coached. Steve Rodriguez is an excellent coach. Loftin will get this problem solved.
After one season, Loftin has a Big 12 Tournament Championship and an NCAA Regional appearance under his belt. He’s got some nice accolades. Hopefully, the Loftin family has a big trophy case. More are coming. Loftin is not eligible for the MLB First-Year Player Draft this season, so he’ll be back in 2020.
For the rest of our Top 25:
No. 25: Baylor 1B/C Shea Langeliers
No. 24: WVU Utility Tyler Doanes
No. 23: WVU IF Marques Inman
No. 22: Oklahoma State OF Trevor Boone
No. 21: Baylor OF Richard Cunningham
No. 20: Kansas State OF Will Brennan
No. 19: West Virginia OF Darius Hill
No. 18: TCU LHP Nick Lodolo
No. 17: OU RPH Nathan Wiles
No. 16: Oklahoma State OF Carson McCusker
No. 15: TCU OF Josh Watson
**Sign up here for our HCS weekly e-mails for a chance to win FREE Heartland College Sports and Big 12 team gear!!**
