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  • Home Run King: Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Tyce Armstrong breaks BU HR record

    // Posted In Athletics, Honors

    Tyce Armstrong rounds third base after a home run

    A lot of great players have come through the Baylor Baseball program since Charley Carter (BBA ’98) set the program’s single-season home run record of 21 back in 1998 — David Murphy, Max Muncy and Shea Langeliers, just to name a few. But great as they are, none of them accomplished what Tyce Armstrong has done in 2026.

    Entering the Big 12 tournament, Baylor’s first baseman has already mashed 24 home runs this season, breaking a record that stood for nearly three decades. A season that began with a bang in the season opener, when Armstrong became just the second player in NCAA history to hit three grand slams in one game, has somehow managed to grow even more historic from there.

    Armstrong transferred to Baylor for his senior season after a stellar career at UT Arlington. With the Bears, he quickly established himself as a respected team leader and one of the Big 12’s most feared power hitters. After his stunning introduction to Baylor (which garnered millions of views on social media and networks like ESPN and MLB Network), Armstrong homered at a rate that quickly had Baylor fans checking the record books — a pace he kept up all season.

    On May 3 against Texas Tech, Armstrong tied the Baylor single-season record. A week later against UCF, he set a new standard with his 22nd home run. He’s since hit two more, including a dramatic ninth-inning game winner in the regular season finale at Utah.

    When the Big 12 regular season awards were announced, it surprised no one that Armstrong was named Baylor’s third-ever Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and an All-Big 12 first-team selection. His honor was one of six All-Big 12 selections for the program, including another record-breaking slugger. Right fielder Brady Janusek broke Max Muncy’s freshman home run record (Muncy hit 11 in 2010; Janusek sits at 13 through the regular season) en route to a Big 12 All-Freshman team berth.

    Next up for Armstrong and the Bears: A berth in the Big 12 Championships in Surprise, Ariz. The Bears look to extend their 2026 season when they play BYU Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. CT.

    Sic ’em, Tyce Armstrong!

    [UPDATE: Armstrong finished the season with 24 home runs, tied for ninth nationally as the NCAA tournament began.]