The Iowa Hawkeyes upgraded their pitching staff heading into the 2024 season with a piece that’s plenty familiar with the Hawkeye State.
Iowa head baseball coach Rick Heller and the Hawkeyes added left-handed transfer pitcher Brant Houge from Oklahoma State. As Hawkeye Report’s Kyle Huesmann notes, a partial UCL tear cut his season short with the Cowboys in April. While he didn’t see much work at all at Oklahoma State, he was fantastic during the 2022 campaign with Iowa Western.
The 6-foot-4, 223 pound lefty tossed 59 1/3 innings with the Reivers, surrendering just 11 earned runs to post a 1.67 ERA across 13 starts and 14 overall appearances. Hogue ended the 2022 season with a perfect 6-0 record and he racked up 93 strikeouts against just 16 walks. His strikeouts per nine innings while at Iowa Western was 14.11. Hogue had one complete game performance as well.
“I am very happy to announce that I am transferring to the University of Iowa for my final two years of eligibility. Go Hawks!” Hogue wrote in his social media announcement.
I am very happy to announce that I am transferring to the University of Iowa for my final two years of eligibility. Go Hawks! @UIBaseball pic.twitter.com/BDKPKsN2Zj
— Brant Hogue (@branthogue) June 11, 2023
A native of Sioux City, Iowa, and a product of Bishop Heelan, Hogue is from the state of Iowa and familiar with the Hawkeye program. He will have two years of eligibility remaining. Though he appeared in just three games with Oklahoma State, his JUCO track record indicates there’s potential here for Rick Heller and Hawkeye pitching coach Sean McGrath to tap into.
Hogue shared his excitement to work alongside McGrath going forward.
“I love the way that Coach McGrath goes about developing players and takes an evidence-based approach. Can’t wait to be apart of it,” Hogue told Huesmann and Hawkeye Report.
Iowa’s pitching rotation is set to be headlined by junior right-handers Marcus Morgan and Brody Brecht. Morgan ended 2023 with a 5-2 record and a 3.72 ERA, while Brecht posted a 5-2 record and a 3.74 ERA. Brecht finished with 109 strikeouts.
Hogue told Huesmann of On3 that he’s ready to accept whatever role comes his way in Iowa City.
“The returning members of the pitching staff are very talented. I bring a lot of college baseball experience to the table, both as a starter and a reliever. I am willing to accept any role and contribute to the team in any way that I can,” Hogue said.
[lawrence-auto-related count=5]
[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF