'Unfinished Business': Longhorns P Tanner Witt Announces Return

Despite hearing his name called during the 2023 MLB Draft, Tanner Witt will return to Austin for one more season.

The biggest difference between MLB's draft and other professional leagues such as the NFL or NBA is that even if you're drafted, you can opt to attend college instead or return for one more season if you're already there. 

For some schools this plays a big role in their roster turnover, as highly ranked recruits and draft prospects are more likely to go pro. Fortunately for the Texas Longhorns, though, they received a huge boost to their 2024 roster on Wednesday afternoon. 

Tanner Witt, who returned this season from undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022, announced he would be returning to campus for one more year next season. Even though he heard his name called, drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 18th round with the No. 541 overall pick, he wanted to take the mound at the Disch for one more season. 

Not needing to say much, Witt took to Twitter and announced his return with a simple statement - "unfinished business." 

Unfinished business🤘🏻

Psalm 138:8
“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” pic.twitter.com/uF3hKk4h6t

— Tanner Witt (@wittnesstwitty) July 12, 2023

When he's healthy, Witt has all the stuff to be one of the best pitchers in college baseball. As a freshman in 2021 he put college baseball on notice, sporting a 3.16 ERA while racking up 73 strikeouts in a team-high 28 appearances. 

Then in 2022 he was on track to be just as dominant again, but as a starter. Before missing the season due to his surgery he recorded a 2-0 record in two starts, compiling a 1.64 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 11 innings of work. 

Once he returned to the mound in 2023 the rust was noticeable, however the potential to get back to his dominant self was also there in brief glimpses. 

If he can return to the form he showed throughout 2021 and to start last season, then the Longhorns will have two dynamite arms with Witt and Lebarron Johnson Jr. going on the mound on the weekends. 

---

You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Longhorns? Click Here to Subscribe to the Longhorns Country Newsletter

Want even more Texas Longhorns? Check out the SI.com team page here

Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook.

Make sure to subscribe to the Longhorns Country Podcast today! Click here To Listen.