Texas’ starting pitching may be making up most of the offseason headlines but the Horns lineup is loaded with experience and quality depth.

Replacing centerfielder Mike Antico, first baseman Zach Zubia and third baseman Cam Williams will be no easy task.

The addition of Kansas transfer Skyler Messinger should help fill the void at third base while last season’s designated hitter Ivan Melendez will slide into the first base role. Super senior Austin Todd is back from injury and will work his way into the outfield in place of Antico.

That leaves the designated hitter role open for competition. Sophomore Dylan Campbell and senior Murphy Stehly are among the front runners to win the job. Left-handed hitters Jack O’Dowd and Gavin Kash could work their way into the lineup in certain matchups.

The amount of talent on this roster gives David Pierce lots of flexibility in his lineups. Here is our prediction on what the opening day lineup will look like against Rice on Feb. 18.

Douglas Hodo, CF

AP Photo/Stephen Spillman

2021 stats: .281 average, five home runs and 44 RBI

Eric Kennedy, LF

Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

2021 stats: .253 average, four home runs and 27 RBI

Mitchell Daly, 2B

Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

2021 stats: .316 avergae, two home runs and 31 RBI

Ivan Melendez, 1B

Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

2021 stats: .319 average, 13 home runs and 51 RBI

Austin Todd, RF

AP Photo/Nati Harnik

2021 stats: .292 average, zero home runs and two RBI (played in just six games due to injury)

Silas Ardoin, C

AP Photo/Eric Gay

2021 stats: .239 average, one home run and 33 RBI

Skyler Messinger, 3B

AP Photo/Colin E. Braley

2021 stats: .324 average, two home runs and 39 RBI (at Kansas)

Trey Faltine, SS

AP Photo/Eric Gay

2021 stats: .249 average, five home runs and 37 RBI

Dylan Campbell, DH

AP Photo/Colin E. Braley

2021 stats: .189 average, one home run and seven RBI