Texas Baseball: Way-too-early look ahead to 2023 season

Potential Breakout Players

Every year in Austin it seems as if the baseball program has a few breakout stars that light Disch-Falk Field on fire. Last year it was Melendez and Stehly.

In 2023 I see the three potential breakouts players as Dylan Campbell, Andre Duplantier, and Ace Whitehead.

Although Campbell was a consistent starter by the time the playoffs rolled around, he spent a good chunk of the year competing for a starting job in the outfield.

Coming out of high school, many raved about the raw power and bat speed Campbell brought to the plate. It took him a year and a half to get comfortable, but he finally showed everyone his potential in the second half of 2022.

During the last 24 games of the season, Campbell hit .324 with five home runs. I believe with the consistency of starting every day and another offseason of cleaning up his swing, Campbell could be a true middle-of-the-order guy for Coach Pierce.

Texas was looking for consistent pitching throughout the 2022 season and will be again in 2023. I believe rising redshirt sophomore Duplantier could fill that role.

Duplantier missed the entire 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery but bounced backed with 30.1 innings pitched in 17 appearances this season.

Although the raw numbers leave something to be desired (5.93 ERA, 1.48 WHIP), the gaudy arm talent from the right-hander is hard to ignore.

Duplantier started six games in 2022 and will certainly get a chance to compete for that third starter role next season. At worst, he should be one of the more reliable arms out of the pen for Coach Pierce.

Finally, my attention turns to OF/LHP Ace Whitehead.

Whitehead was used sparingly in his true freshman season, appearing in 25 games and making one start. He was often used as a pinch-runner and defensive substitution later into ball games.

Although he did make one appearance on the mound, I believe Whitehead is destined to be a top-of-the-order, tone-setter type of outfielder. Whitehead recorded 10 hits in just 18 at-bats last season, holding an on-base percentage of .619.

The sample size is small for the rising sophomore, but I believe there is a very good chance he is an important part of this team come 2023.