BREAKING: Texas Longhorns Former Star announced his return to play for the program
The bullpen welcomes back last season’s primary setup man for 2024, with Max Weiner still remembering Dre.
Earlier this week, Texas Longhorns right-hander Andre Duplantier announced his return to the team under the new pitching coach and head coach Jim Schlossnagle. After four seasons at Texas and going unselected in this month’s MLB Draft, Duplantier opted to return for a fifth year following a successful season with the Longhorns.
A two-way player in 2020, Duplantier showed potential on the mound before an elbow injury necessitated Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the following season.
In 2022, Duplantier started six games among his 17 appearances, but struggled to regain his form, hitting eight batters, allowing six home runs, and posting a 5.90 ERA.
In 2023, working exclusively out of the bullpen, Duplantier improved his ERA to 2.40, allowing fewer extra-base hits even as opponents’ batting average increased to .288 from .248.
Duplantier continued to progress under former head coach David Pierce, emerging as the setup man for right-hander Gage Boehm. He posted a 3.09 ERA with three saves, struck out 53 batters in 43.2 innings, and held opponents to a .192 batting average, despite allowing five home runs.
As a fifth-year senior in 2025, Duplantier might pitch fewer high-leverage innings with Weiner and Schlossnagle making significant improvements to the bullpen, but his steady, veteran presence will undoubtedly benefit the Longhorns next season.