🔱 Arizona State Baseball 2025: Season Highlights, Standouts & Big 12 Tournament Outlook

In their inaugural Big 12 season, the Arizona State Sun Devils have showcased resilience and talent, navigating a competitive schedule with notable victories and individual performances.​

📈 Season Highlights for Arizona State Baseball

• Dominant Victory Over TCU: ASU's offense exploded in a 26-9 win against TCU, marking one of their most commanding performances of the season.​

• Series Win Against Kansas: The Sun Devils secured a series victory over No. 22 Kansas, highlighted by catcher Josiah Cromwick's two-home run game in their Big 12 home opener.​

  
  

⚠️ Challenges Faced

While Arizona State’s inaugural season in the Big 12 has featured exciting wins and standout performances, it’s also been a campaign defined by growing pains and missed opportunities. Several issues have surfaced that the Sun Devils will need to address if they hope to contend in the Big 12 Tournament and beyond.

❌ Inconsistency in Close Games

One of the defining themes of the season has been ASU's inability to close out tight games. Losses like the narrow 3-2 defeat to in-state rival Arizona and a similar 3-2 stumble against TCU in the conference opener were both winnable games that slipped through the cracks in the late innings. These games often came down to execution in high-leverage moments — a missed defensive play, a misplaced pitch, or a lack of timely hitting.

ASU has a respectable overall record, but their win-loss splits in one-run or two-run games highlight an area where maturity and poise under pressure are still developing. These narrow losses carry a heavier weight in conference play, where standings are often decided by a game or two.

⚖️ Bullpen Inconsistencies

While the Sun Devils have a few reliable arms in the starting rotation, including right-hander Jack Martinez and lefty Ben Jacobs, the bullpen has been a source of turbulence. Too often, ASU’s relievers have struggled with command, allowing walk-heavy innings that lead to momentum shifts.

There have also been several instances where middle relievers were unable to hold narrow leads — most notably against Oklahoma State and Kansas State, where ASU lost games in which they led heading into the sixth inning. Late-inning depth remains an issue, and it’s something that will be under a microscope in the high-stakes environment of the Big 12 Tournament.

🧱 Defensive Lapses

Statistically, Arizona State Baseball ranks middle-of-the-pack in the Big 12 in fielding percentage. But numbers don’t tell the full story. Costly errors in key moments — botched double plays, misread outfield fly balls, and throwing errors — have proven detrimental. These mistakes often extend innings, force pitchers to throw extra pitches, and directly lead to runs.

In a conference as competitive as the Big 12, where teams are known for offensive firepower, giving opponents extra outs is a recipe for disaster. Cleaning up the defense, especially in pressure-packed innings, will be a top priority down the stretch.

🛑 Inconsistent Production from the Bottom of the Order

While the heart of the lineup — led by Josiah Cromwick and Isaiah Jackson — has performed well, the lower third of the batting order has struggled to keep rallies going. In multiple games, ASU has stranded runners in scoring position due to weak contact or high strikeout rates from the 7-9 hitters.

Opponents have begun to pitch around the middle of the order, knowing that they can often escape innings if they reach the bottom half of ASU’s lineup. Developing more offensive depth and lineup protection is crucial heading into the postseason.

🔥 Standout Players

Jack Martinez – RHP

Senior right-hander Jack Martinez has been a cornerstone of the Sun Devils' pitching staff. He boasts a season-high of 11 strikeouts in a game and has consistently delivered strong performances, including a 7.0-inning outing against Gonzaga where he allowed only one hit and struck out 10 batters.​

Ben Jacobs – LHP

Left-handed pitcher Ben Jacobs made headlines by retiring the first 17 batters he faced in a game against Gonzaga, the most consecutive batters retired to start a game for ASU since 2013. He finished that game with six strikeouts, no walks, and only one hit allowed over 6.0 innings pitched.​

Josiah Cromwick – C

Graduate catcher Josiah Cromwick has been a consistent offensive force, leading the team with ten home runs and contributing 27 RBIs. His leadership behind the plate and clutch hitting have been vital to ASU's success.​

Isaiah Jackson – CF

Center fielder Isaiah Jackson has showcased his power and speed, batting .298 with six home runs and 37 RBIs. He also leads the team with 42 hits, demonstrating his ability to get on base and drive in runs.​

🔮 Looking Ahead: Big 12 Tournament

As the Sun Devils approach the Big 12 Tournament, their focus will be on building momentum through the upcoming series against conference opponents. Key factors for success include:​

• Offensive Consistency: Maintaining the explosive offensive output seen in games like the TCU victory will be crucial.​

• Pitching Stability: Solidifying bullpen roles and ensuring starters can go deep into games will be vital for tournament success.​

• Defensive Execution: Minimizing errors and executing fundamental plays will be essential in close postseason matchups.

With a blend of seasoned leadership and emerging talent, the Arizona State Sun Devils are poised to make a significant impact in their first Big 12 Tournament appearance. Continued focus on consistency and execution will be key as they aim for postseason success.​