Next season, the Texas Longhorns will have to replace starters at catcher, first base, shortstop, and likely third base, center field, and right field. It’s possible that head coach David Pierce could get David Hamilton back for a second attempt at his junior season, and DJ Petrinsky is expected back as well, but Ryan Reynolds, Duke Ellis, and Austin Todd are likely to move on to the professional ranks. Designed hitter Zach Zubia is also draft eligible.
So expect Pierce to lean heavily on a group of incoming recruits to fill those openings and possible openings. After the season ended last week against Oklahoma, Pierce mentioned five players by name:
Among UT’s incoming freshmen, Pierce is high on infielder Brenden Dixon, utility players André Duplantier II and Sanson “Trey” Faltine III and catcher Silas Ardoin.