It may only be November, but area high school baseball teams are already gearing up for the spring. It’s no different at Arlington Martin, where four players are getting ready for the 2017 season and beyond.
Outfielder Tristen Lutz, outfielders/pitchers Maddux Miller and Kenneth Waller and shortstop/pitcher Kurt Wilson took advantage of the early signing period and signed their National Letter of Intent to play in the Big 12 when they move on to the college level. Lutz is going to Texas, Miller chose Baylor and both Waller and Wilson are heading to West Texas to play at Texas Tech.
“I chose Texas because it was my dream school growing up,” said Lutz. “Then when I visited, I just fell in love with it even more. So it was a pretty easy decision for me.”
“I picked Baylor first off because my grandparents went to Baylor and I’ve always been familiar with the culture there,” said Miller on his choice. “It felt like home to me.”
Waller and Wilson will suit up for the Red Raiders, who are coming off trips to the College World Series in 2014 and 2016. Texas Tech showed confidence in Waller after the young lefty suffered an arm injury last season.
“They offered me after I had surgery so I really felt like they believed in my talent,” said Waller. “They won the Big 12 championship last year so I thought it was a good place to take my game to the next level.”
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“I think I will fit in well and I like the atmosphere up there,” added Wilson. “I really like the coaching staff up there. They seem to have it going pretty well there.”
The Warriors have high hopes this season coming off a 2016 campaign that saw them go 24-13, losing in the first round of the UIL state championship playoffs to Midland Lee. This year they have their sights set on a state title. The Warriors, led by head coach Curt Culbertson, open the season on February 23 against Frisco Centennial.
“I think we need to work together as a unit,” said Lutz. “I think we have a good chance to be a pretty good team this year.”
“I think we have enough talent to go all the way,” added Miller. “I just think we have to apply ourselves, but the talent is definitely there.”
