Do you love baseball? Do you want to know who are the best players in the Big 12 Conference? Do you want to learn how they achieved their success and what challenges they faced? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this blog post is for you.

In this post, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 All-Big 12 Baseball Awards, which were announced on May 23. I’ll also share some insights and tips on how you can improve your own baseball skills and performance.

But first, let me introduce you to the two stars of the show: WVU’s JJ Wetherholt and UT’s Lucas Gordon.

Who are JJ Wetherholt and Lucas Gordon?

JJ Wetherholt is a sophomore second baseman from West Virginia University. He was named Big 12 Player of the Year after leading the nation with a .447 batting average and hitting 15 home runs, 21 doubles and 56 RBIs[^1^][1]. He is the first WVU player to win the award and is on track to have the highest batting average for a Big 12 hitter since 1999[^1^][1].

Lucas Gordon is a junior lefthander from Texas University. He was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Year after posting a 6-1 record and a 2.48 ERA with 85 strikeouts and a .210 opponent batting average[^1^][1]. He is the eighth UT pitcher to win the award and the second in the past three seasons[^1^][1].

How did they win the Big 12 Baseball Awards?

Wetherholt and Gordon won the awards based on a vote of the league’s head coaches, who could not vote for their own players[^1^][1]. They beat out some tough competition from other talented players in the conference, such as Texas Tech’s Gavin Kash and Texas’ Porter Brown, who were unanimous selections to the All-Big 12 First Team along with Wetherholt and Gordon[^1^][1].

Wetherholt was a consistent force at the plate throughout the season, hitting safely in 44 of his 49 games and reaching base in all but one game[^1^][1]. He also showed power and speed, ranking among the Big 12’s leaders in home runs (fifth), doubles (third), slugging percentage (fourth) and stolen bases (tied for seventh)[^1^][1]. He helped WVU win a share of the Big 12 regular season title with a 15-9 record[^1^][1].

Gordon was a dominant pitcher on the mound, leading Big 12 starters in ERA and ranking second in strikeouts[^1^][1]. He also threw two complete games, including a shutout against Kansas State on April 14[^1^][1]. He was especially effective in conference play, going 5-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 54 strikeouts in eight starts[^1^][1]. He helped UT finish second in the Big 12 standings with a 16-8 record[^1^][1].

What does it mean for their teams and the sport?

Wetherholt and Gordon winning the awards means that their teams have two of the best players in college baseball and are serious contenders for the postseason. Both WVU and UT have qualified for the Big 12 Tournament, which will be held from May 25 to May 29 in Oklahoma City[^2^][2]. The winner of the tournament will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which will begin on June 2[^3^][3].

Wetherholt and Gordon winning the awards also means that they have bright futures ahead of them in baseball. Both players are eligible for the MLB Draft, which will be held from July 10 to July 12. Wetherholt is projected to be a first-round pick by many experts, while Gordon is expected to be a second or third-round pick. They have both shown that they have what it takes to succeed at the next level.

How can you improve your own baseball skills and performance?

If you are inspired by Wetherholt and Gordon’s achievements and want to improve your own baseball skills and performance, here are some tips that you can follow:

• Practice regularly. The only way to get better at anything is to practice it consistently. Whether it’s hitting, pitching, fielding or running, you need to work on your fundamentals and refine your techniques. Find a coach or a mentor who can guide you and give you feedback.
• Eat well and stay hydrated. Your diet and hydration affect your energy levels, your recovery time and your overall health. Make sure you eat balanced meals that provide you with enough protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Drink plenty of water before, during and after your workouts.
• Sleep well and rest well. Your sleep and rest affect your mood, your focus and your performance. Make sure you get enough quality sleep every night (at least seven hours) and avoid distractions before bedtime. Take breaks between your workouts and allow your body to recover.
• Learn from others. You can always learn something new from other players, coaches or experts. Watch how they play, listen to what they say or read what they write. Observe their strengths and weaknesses, their strategies and tactics, their habits and routines. Try to emulate what works for them and avoid what doesn’t.
• Have fun. Baseball is a game that should be enjoyed by everyone involved. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself or take yourself too seriously. Remember why you started playing baseball in the first place: because you love it. Have fun with your teammates, your opponents and yourself.

Conclusion

In this blog post, I’ve told you everything you need to know about WVU’s JJ Wetherholt and UT’s Lucas Gordon winning the Big 12 Baseball Awards. I’ve also shared some insights and tips on how you can improve your own baseball skills and performance.

I hope you found this post informative and helpful. If you did, please share it with your friends or leave a comment below. And if you want more content like this delivered straight to your inbox every week, subscribe to my newsletter today.

Thanks for reading!