College Baseball Daily continues our countdown to the start of the 2013 college baseball season by checking in on the Top 100 Players in the country. We will be adding players day-by-day until we get to number one!
Number 42 on our Top 100 Countdown is Virginia Tech’s Tyler Horan. The 6’2 outfielder from Middleboro, Massachusetts finished second in the 2012 College Home Run Derby.
In 2011, Horan appeared in 28 games, starting nine for the Hokies at both right field and designated hitter. He posted a batting average of .396 with seven doubles, one triple, three home runs, 12 RBI and a slugging percentage of .771. During the 2012 season, Horan made 54 starts, the majority in left field. Throughout the season he posted a batting average of .282 with eight doubles, 45 runs, 15 home runs and 41 RBI. He also had an on-base percentage of .400 and a .585 slugging percentage.
During the summer of 2012, Horan participated in the TD Ameritrade College Home Run Derby in which he placed second. His summer success continued as he played with the Wareham Gateman of the Cape Cod League. Horan batted .331 with seven doubles, 40 RBI and 16 home runs to help the Gatemen win the Cape Cod League. His 16 home runs tied the Cape League home run record since the league switched to wood bats.
From a scouting perspective, Horan has raw power that is impossible to ignore. In addition to his plus power at the plate, Horan is also solid defensively in the outfield with a strong arm and good defensive instincts. Although Horan led the team in strikeouts, it is clearly evident that when he does make contact that his productivity is nearly incomparable. As he continues to gain composure at the plate, he has a fantastic opportunity to really dominate as possibly the purest power hitter in college baseball, making him one of the top 100 players to watch for in 2013.
You can check out the rest of our Top 100 by clicking here.
