Texas baseball loses RHP Aaron Nixon to transfer portal

Just three days after their unceremonious exit from the College World Series, the first Texas baseball player of the offseason has he announced he is entering the transfer portal.

Sophomore RHP Aaron Nixon announced his intentions to enter the portal early on the night of June 22.

A native of McAllen, Nixon was rated as the 14th best high school prospect in Texas in the class of 2020.

He came to Austin and immediately lived up to that billing.

Named as an NCAA Freshman All-American, Nixon served in the closer role during most of the 2021 season. Pitching in 27 games, Nixon tallied 34.0 innings pitched while sporting an ERA of 2.12 and an opponent’s batting average of .211. He finished the season with 36 strikeouts.

Texas baseball losing first player of the offseason to the portal in RHP Aaron Nixon

In the 2021 College World Series Nixon pitched 3.1 innings over two appearances. He allowed just two hits and no runs, earning a win and a save in the process.

After a phenomenal freshman season, many expected Nixon to take another step forward in 2022. However, his struggles led to him eventually falling out of David Pierce’s trust tree. Nixon’s fastball lacked control and his power-slider did not have the same bite it did in 2021.

In 30.1 innings pitched in 2022, Nixon allowed 25 walks and 24 hits. He pitched in just six of the final 24 games and finished the season with a 5.04 ERA.

Nixon was praised for his uber-competitiveness as a freshman but could never seem to find a rhythm in order to galvanize his team in 2022.

Pierce and the Longhorns have already parted ways with pitching coach Sean Allen. Allen’s departure and the regression from arms like Nixon is likely not a coincidence.

The talent is clearly there for the 6-foot-1 righty which leads me to believe there will be many suitors after his talents.

The Longhorns already let go of the aforementioned Sean Allen and are on the verge of losing volunteer assistant Troy Tulowitzki to USC. Hopefully for Coach Pierce, the departure of players from his roster starts and ends with Nixon .