Mizzou baseball prepares for 2021 season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou baseball team will open up its 2021 season this weekend in Phoenix, Arizona. The Tigers will face Grand Canyon University for a three game series starting Friday at 4 p.m.

We spoke with head coach Steve Bieser to preview the season on Monday. You can watch the full interview in the video player below.

We also spoke with Mizzou baseball standouts Spencer Miles and Luke Mann. On the Zoom call - Coach Bieser announced Miles, a former Rock Bridge standout, will be the Friday night starter.

"It's very special," Miles said. "My brother played here, so I get to carry on his tradition as the hometown hero. I get to make everyone proud, and I just kind of want to put the city on the map and win games. Being a Mizzou Tiger is everything to me. It was kind of my dream."

You can watch the full interview with the players in the video player below.

Coach Bieser said the Tigers are at about 85% health-wise headed into the season. He added it's very difficult to prepare with the current freezing temperatures.

"College baseball - it starts way too soon for the northern teams," Coach Bieser said.

The team is still waiting to complete the outfield turf - which Bieser hopes will get started at the end of the season.

Bieser mentioned Chad McDaniel will start the season as the designated hitter. That could open up some playing time at catcher for former Battle standout Tre Morris.

Bieser also hinted at several freshman getting opportunities to play this season, including former Rock Bridge standout Parker Wright.