SUGAR LAND, Texas – A trio of Boilermakers with big bats represented Purdue Baseball on the conference's annual list of Big Ten Players to Watch, distinction that went to Brandon Anderson, CJ Richmond and Keenan Spence.
Spence returns in right field after sharing the team lead with 13 home runs while posting a 1.000 OPS in his debut season at Purdue. Twice in the month of May, in the same game he hit two home runs and robbed a homer with a leaping catch at the wall.
Anderson and Richmond are among the Boilermakers' 13 newcomers with previous Division I experience. They're projected starters at third base and first base, providing the lineup with a pair of impact lefthanded bats.
Richmond was an ABCA All-Region, All-Mid-American Conference and Lexington Regional All-Tournament Team performer in 2024 at Western Michigan. He racked up 33 extra-base hits and 67 RBI via a .380/.479/.667 slash line.
During his three seasons at Louisville, Anderson played his way into the lineup as a freshman, was an Opening Day starter at third base as a sophomore and returned from a month-long injury as a junior while earning his bachelor's degree in three years. He impressed offensively and defensively in the fall at Alexander Field.
Anderson and Richmond pair well with incumbents Logan Sutter and Breck Nowik, both righthanded hitters, at the corner infield positions. Head coach Greg Goff should be afforded matchup and platoon options with that mix of lefthanded and righthanded bats, likely slotting in Richmond or Sutter at the designated hitter when they're not playing the field.
A year ago, Purdue's 33-win squad set team records for runs scored, home runs and on-base percentage (among others). It featured a middle of the order that was dominated by righthanded bats. Leadoff man Mike Bolton Jr., Big Ten on-base percentage leader Camden Gasser and second baseman Ty Gill were the only regulars in the lineup that hit from the left side. Gasser and Gill are back this season to man the middle infield.
The addition of Anderson and Richmond help provide more left-right balance this season. Richmond seems poised to become Purdue's premier lefthanded power hitter since first baseman Kyle Wood hit 13 home runs as an All-Big Ten performer in 2016.
The Boilermakers' pitching rotation for season-opening weekend has also been announced. Returnees Carter Doorn, Cole Van Assen and Easton Storey are all slated to get the ball in the four-game series vs. Stephen F. Austin. Both teams are leaving their options open for Sunday with TBA designations.
Doorn is set to become Purdue's first four-year senior to start on the mound on Opening Day since Trent Johnson in 2021. From 2010 to 2013, the Boilermakers had a senior start on Opening Day every year. But 2013 marked the last time it was a senior making his first career Opening Day start similar to Doorn this year.
Purdue will open its season with a doubleheader for the first time since 2018. Game one of the twinbill vs. SFA is set for 2 p.m. ET at Constellation Field, the home of the Houston Astros' Triple-A affiliate.
Spence returns in right field after sharing the team lead with 13 home runs while posting a 1.000 OPS in his debut season at Purdue. Twice in the month of May, in the same game he hit two home runs and robbed a homer with a leaping catch at the wall.
Anderson and Richmond are among the Boilermakers' 13 newcomers with previous Division I experience. They're projected starters at third base and first base, providing the lineup with a pair of impact lefthanded bats.
Richmond was an ABCA All-Region, All-Mid-American Conference and Lexington Regional All-Tournament Team performer in 2024 at Western Michigan. He racked up 33 extra-base hits and 67 RBI via a .380/.479/.667 slash line.
During his three seasons at Louisville, Anderson played his way into the lineup as a freshman, was an Opening Day starter at third base as a sophomore and returned from a month-long injury as a junior while earning his bachelor's degree in three years. He impressed offensively and defensively in the fall at Alexander Field.
Anderson and Richmond pair well with incumbents Logan Sutter and Breck Nowik, both righthanded hitters, at the corner infield positions. Head coach Greg Goff should be afforded matchup and platoon options with that mix of lefthanded and righthanded bats, likely slotting in Richmond or Sutter at the designated hitter when they're not playing the field.
A year ago, Purdue's 33-win squad set team records for runs scored, home runs and on-base percentage (among others). It featured a middle of the order that was dominated by righthanded bats. Leadoff man Mike Bolton Jr., Big Ten on-base percentage leader Camden Gasser and second baseman Ty Gill were the only regulars in the lineup that hit from the left side. Gasser and Gill are back this season to man the middle infield.
The addition of Anderson and Richmond help provide more left-right balance this season. Richmond seems poised to become Purdue's premier lefthanded power hitter since first baseman Kyle Wood hit 13 home runs as an All-Big Ten performer in 2016.
The Boilermakers' pitching rotation for season-opening weekend has also been announced. Returnees Carter Doorn, Cole Van Assen and Easton Storey are all slated to get the ball in the four-game series vs. Stephen F. Austin. Both teams are leaving their options open for Sunday with TBA designations.
Doorn is set to become Purdue's first four-year senior to start on the mound on Opening Day since Trent Johnson in 2021. From 2010 to 2013, the Boilermakers had a senior start on Opening Day every year. But 2013 marked the last time it was a senior making his first career Opening Day start similar to Doorn this year.
Purdue will open its season with a doubleheader for the first time since 2018. Game one of the twinbill vs. SFA is set for 2 p.m. ET at Constellation Field, the home of the Houston Astros' Triple-A affiliate.