Diagnosing the Disch: It's time for Texas Longhorns baseball

It’s Valentine’s Day, but more importantly (especially to our single readers) it’s the kickoff of the Jim Schlossnagle era of Texas Baseball.

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the best day of the year 🤘https://t.co/3RsN2gxLSV#HookEm | @young_jflow pic.twitter.com/EphveUP8Oz

— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) February 14, 2025

Tonight, Texas will face Louisville to kick off the 2025 season, with wild haired fire baller Jared Spencer taking the hill for his first start in burnt orange.

IT has spent the last two weeks detailing each starting position group for the Longhorns, but there are still some loose ties to get down before the season starts. In a more abbreviated version of Diagnosing, we’ll be going over the DH position and pitching staff, as well as what IT wants to see from the team this weekend.

DH

Texas has a few options for this position. The Longhorns have a good idea of who their eight starters will be in the lineup, but IT expects to see up to three different players used at DH this weekend.

The two most obvious candidates are the returning sophomores, Casey Borba and Tommy Farmer IV. Borba was the team’s 11th man last season and played well in 82 ABs, reaching base 30 times and knocking 11 XBH’s. He earned that playing time as a freshman even when his positions were taken by the likes of Peyton Powell, Jared Thomas and Kimble Schuessler. Borba is the player IT expects to secure the spot for the season, as well as rotating in at the corner infield spots.

Farmer wasn’t very productive in his 20 ABs last season, but he did play in 16 games. Just based off last season you’d assume Borba is the clear choice, but a lot has changed since then. This is a new staff, and the outfield position was loaded last year for Texas. Some players just need more time. Farmer would likely force one of the corner outfielders to DH when he plays, as he has a plus glove and elite speed.

Schlossnagle recently said that 11-12 hitters have separated from the pack. IT would venture to say that that includes the eight starters, these two, fall standout Oliver Service and alumni game star Cole Chamberlain. Both of those last two are catchers, but have the bats to make their way into the lineup. IT could see a world where Rylan Galvan catches three games per week with Service in the lineup for one of the weekend or mid weekers. Chamberlain probably won’t catch much this year, but he has the bat to make an instant impact.

Remember, the DH position in college ball is mostly a rotational one. At this level, most players can field their position closer to the mean than in the MLB. There are fewer Yordan Alvarez types. There will be a lot of rotation at this spot, and Schlossnagle likely will give some of the corner outfielders and infielders time off at the field. IT expects the aforementioned players, as well as guys like Max Belyeu, Easton Winfield, Adrian Rodriguez and Schuessler to get some time there.

Pitching Staff

IT is concerned.

Yes, Texas baseball does now have the pitching whisperer Max Weiner, that’s a huge plus. IT doesn’t think it will be a disaster like last year when David Pierce decided to make himself the pitching coach. Still, Texas really doesn’t have any true starters.

Jared Spencer and Luke Harrison are known commodities. They have already been announced for Friday and Saturday, and both are assumed to hold those spots throughout the year. After all, IT is not really sure, and neither is Jim Schlossnagle. He hasn’t announced a Sunday starter, and with Max Grubbs and Ace Whitehead still hurt there isn’t much from last year returning. There will be a lot of games thrown by freshman or underclassmen coming up from smaller programs. It will be a work in progress.

The bullpen does have some juice. Ruger Riojas has received a ton of positive press since signing on. He was great at UTSA, has a competitive spirit, and has a funky left handed release that people could struggle with. He’s the kind of guy that can bridge you from a rough start and give you 3-4 bullpen innings.

IT likes the idea of sixth year Andre Duplantier Jr. as the closer. He’s got a big frame and was the Longhorns’ No. 2 reliever behind Gage Boehm last season. With Weiner’s help, that fastball could be electric.

One thing to note about Schloss and Weiner is they like to mix pitchers up. One inning you might be facing a strike throwing, low 90s sitting Harrison. The next? Let’s throw 99 miles per hour from a high arm slot held by LSU transfer Aiden Moffett. One inning later, the players who were expecting a fire-baller will now need to face Ethan Walker’s gross delivery to the plate. That is where games are won, and IT expects to see a ton of pitchers on Sunday that give batters different looks.

General Things I’m Looking Out For

Firstly, Texas just needs a win at an MLB ballpark. Pierce lost 11 in a row in major league stadiums, IT just wants to see a win.

Secondly, this lineup needs to live up to the hype. Texas is returning five starters to go along with two high-level transfers. If Texas can’t hit, they won’t win much this year. A double-digit scoring game this weekend would instill a lot of confidence.

Third, Jalin Flores needs to put it all together; on defense, specifically. The only reason he was an All-SEC second-team selection is because of his errors and lack of range at short. That needed to be a top priority this offseason.

Fourth, IT needs some juice from these youngsters. IT has heard a ton of great buzz about the vibes and culture of this team, especially from the veterans towards the younger guys. Adrian Rodriguez has a ton of hype, IT would love to see that come to fruition. IT is also hoping for an early breakout from Farmer, Service, Chamberlain or Borba, as well as any of the extremely talented young pitchers. Dylan Volantis looked great for the alumni game, and IT is super excited for Kade Bing.

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Lastly, IT wants to see the hype for Texas baseball return. The basketball team is miserable, and with football being so great people seem a bit checked out of college sports in February, before March Madness but after the CFP. College baseball’s stock as a whole is soaring, and this Texas team should be entertaining throughout. IT hopes those who can watch (thanks FloSports) pay attention and show support, and IT is hoping that Schlossnagle can bring back the fringe fans. OccupyLF and the Disch regulars will always be there, but IT wants fellow students and general Longhorn fans to buy in. This is the start of a new era. Get on the bus early.