Kansas Jayhawks Baseball Series Preview: Oakland Golden Grizzlies

With the opening weekend in the rearview mirror, we take a look ahead to the next challenge for the Jayhawks.

The Kansas Jayhawks baseball team kicked off the season with a series victory, winning two out of three games against the Valparaiso Beacons. In this series, a lot of first happened for head coach Dan Fitzgerald and his players. One of the highlights was coach Fitzgerald's first victory in a Jayhawks uniform. Kansas will head to Cleburne, Texas, and prepare to take on the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in a four-game series. Here are some key areas I'm looking at in another early-season series:

"Super proud of the guys" – Coach Fitz#RockChalk pic.twitter.com/CxYgmdcfHU

— Kansas Baseball (@KUBaseball) February 20, 2023

Starting Pitching

The Kansas Jayhawks starting pitching logged quality innings in the series against Valparaiso. Colin Baumgartner started the first game of the season, and he did not disappoint. He threw five innings, giving up three hits, zero walks, and one run. Baumgartner recorded six strikeouts and came away with the victory. Even though Saturday's starter Sam Ireland walked away with the loss, he provided good innings, and the same can be said for Hunter Cranton, who was given the baseball for Sunday's start. From all three starters, they surrendered only five runs and six walks while striking out 17.

Final line for @collinbaumgart1 » 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 SO

MID 6 | Kansas 4, Valparaiso 1 pic.twitter.com/fpcCo1vstr

— Kansas Baseball (@KUBaseball) February 17, 2023

Starting pitching is without a doubt, a key for the up-and-coming series against Oakland. Starting pitching will also be a focus throughout the season. If the Jayhawks can continue to get quality starts from their starters and relieve the stress that can be placed on a bullpen, then the season will start hot for the crimson and blue. I anticipate a similar starting rotation for the series against the Golden Grizzlies, but with a fourth game added to the series I anticipate them giving the nod to junior left-handed pitcher, Ethan Bradford.  Bradford arrives at Kansas after transferring in from Nebraska.

Bullpen Struggles

The Jayhawks' bullpen will need to pick things up as the season continues, specifically in this up-and-coming series. Against Valparaiso, the bullpen surrendered nine earned runs after getting quality starts from the starters. This was the first series of the season and for many, it was the first live-action against another opponent in a meaningful game. The jitters can flare up, but moving forward I anticipate this group to perform well.  

The coaching staff will continue to try pitchers in certain roles and scenarios as they build confidence in players coming out of the bullpen. This will be a key moving forward and can make or break a season. A bullpen arm that impressed was sophomore, Gavin Brasosky. Brasosky relieved Baumgartner in the first game of the season, and he completed four innings giving up one hit, one walk, and no runs while striking out six. If Brasosky continues to show this type of success he will carve out a significant role.  

The Bats

Similar to the pitching staff, this is the first live-action against an opponent where the games matter. Some nerves can kick in, and there is without a doubt, some pressure to perform. Overall the Jayhawks are hitting .219/.320/.281, which is something to improve on in this upcoming series against Oakland. In the first game, Mike Koszewski reached base four times from the leadoff spot going 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, and two runs scored. In the final game, Kody Shojinaga hit a two-run home run, and Chase Jans hit a massive go-ahead three-run homer, which would eventually seal the victory for Kansas.

That first career HR feeling 🙌 pic.twitter.com/teXCu7o99v

— Kansas Baseball (@KUBaseball) February 20, 2023

In this four-game series, I look for the bats to start heating up in the Texas weather. The hitters will gain more confidence as they receive more plate appearances. The runs will start to mount up for the Jayhawks as there are some very good hitters on this baseball team. One player I will be watching in this series is Collier Cranford. Cranford currently has 11 plate appearances logging three hits, three RBIs, and one run. He is a significant piece in this lineup. 

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