Longhorns P Tanner Witt to Make Season Debut Against TCU

An already strong Texas pitching staff is set to add a key reinforcement for the home stretch.

© Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Longhorns came into the 2023 season knowing that if they wanted to compete for any sort of championship, pitching would be key. After all, replacing seven of nine starters from a historic offense would be a tall task for any team.

Making matters more difficult for the Longhorns on the pitching front would be the absence of ace Tanner Witt, who made two starts in 2022 before missing the rest of the season with an injury to his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL).

Now, though, he is nearing a return to action and is set to take the mound for the Longhorns. Witt is scheduled to make his first start since last season in the Longhorns' series against TCU - bolstering a deep weekend rotation.

SCOOP: @TexasBaseball RHP Tanner Witt, ranked the No. 11 #MLBDraft prospect in the college class by @d1baseball, is expected to start on a very limited pitch count next weekend against #TCU. This is obviously very big news for #Hookem down the stretch.

— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) April 21, 2023

He won't jump into the deep end immediately for the Longhorns but rather gradually increase his workload as he works his way back from surgery. Regardless of how many pitches he throws, though, it is hard to deny how big of a boost Witt will provide the Texas pitching staff.

Through 39 games the Longhorns have put together a team ERA of 3.68, which leads the Big 12. Staff ace Lucas Gordon leads the way with a sparkling 1.92 ERA, a number that also puts Gordon atop the Big 12. 

Behind Gordon has been Travis Sthele and a combination of Charlie Hurley and Lebarron Johnson Jr., with all three having given the Longhorns solid starts. Now, they can add Witt and bolster an already deep rotation.

In his only two starts last season Witt was electric on the mound for the Longhorns. He recorded a 2-0 record with a 1.64 ERA while striking out 14 in just 11 innings of work.

The return of Witt, even on a pitch limit, gives David Pierce yet another arm to work with. Witt with any of Hurley, Sthele or Johnson coming in after him is a staff that a lot of teams will wish they have. 

Not only that but the timing of Witt's return is a big win for a Texas team looking to win a conference championship and secure a regional host bid. With the home stretch coming up for Texas it will be all hands on deck.

A stable of arms made up of Gordon, Witt, Sthele, Hurley and Johnson can give any team a run for its money. If all five bring their best stuff when on the mound it will make the Longhorns a hard team to beat once the NCAA Tournament rolls around in June. 

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You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

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