Thatcher Hurd arrived on the LSU campus with plenty of hype. He's now about to make the biggest start of his collegiate career.
The Tigers opted to turn to Hurd as the starting pitcher in Game 3 of the College World Series against No. 2 Florida, choosing the sophomore right-hander over the dynamic-yet-taxed Paul Skenes, who would be making his final appearance as a Tiger before he heads to the MLB draft.
Many expected Skenes would be given the nod to start Game 3 despite having thrown 243 pitches over the past nine days. Skenes, projected by some to be the first pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, has been dynamic in 2023, posting a 1.69 ERA across 122.2 innings of work with 209 strikeouts. In two starts at the College World Series, he has allowed just two runs across 15.2 innings with 21 strikeouts, two walks and only seven hits allowed.
While Skenes might come out in relief against the Gators, it will be Hurd, who pitched in back-to-back relief outings against No. 1 Wake Forest, that starts the game out for the Tigers.
MORE: Live updates, highlights from Game 3 of the College World Series
Here's everything you need to know about Hurd as he prepares to take the mound against the Gators.
Who is Thatcher Hurd?
It has been a unique path to starting Game 3 of the College World Series final for Thatcher Hurd. He began his high school baseball career as a catcher with a college commitment lined up to play at UC Santa Barbara as a backstop.
But back in the summer of 2020, Hurd transitioned from catcher to pitcher. And it didn't take him long to rise up prospect rankings.
"My arm was always my biggest tool as a catcher," Hurd told the Daily Breeze. "I always had a good feel and understanding for pitchers. I used to catch bullpens for high school guys when I was 10 years old and I kind of outgrew catching. I have a pitcher's body. I'm pretty lanky, good arm and I love the one-on-one competitiveness. I'm having the most fun I've ever had pitching."
The more Hurd pitched, the more he stood out. Per the Daily Breeze, he had an impressive outing in July at the Perfect Game National Showcase. He described it as the first time "getting out in front of a lot of scouts."
MORE: Why Paul Skenes isn't starting Game 3 vs. Florida
"What I learned from the Perfect Game tournament and going through the summer showcase circuit is that I really like playing in front of a lot of people, when that heat is on you in big stadiums," Hurd said. "So I reassessed what I wanted. UCLA has always been my dream school, every California kid dreams about UCLA, it doesn't get much better than Westwood and being close to home."
After a full season as a pitcher at Mira Costa High, Hurd had vaulted up draft boards. Despite his inexperience on the mound, scouts praised his repertoire and the projectability in his 6-4, 200 pound frame, per MLB Pipeline, which ranked him as the No. 60 draft prospect in the 2021 class.
Hurd wound up honoring his commitment to UCLA, and wound up on campus with the Bruins for his freshman season. He saw limited action, but in what time he spent on the mound, he was dominant, posting a 1.06 ERA across nine appearances (six starts) that spanned 34 innings. He also struck out 48 batters and walked just 10.
But after the 2022 season, LSU made a wave of additions through the transfer portal, including Skenes and standout third baseman Tommy White. Among them was Hurd, who arrived in Baton Rouge as a highly touted transfer.
Hurd opened the season in the rotation, and was dominant. In his first four starts, he pitched 17.2 innings with a 2.04 ERA and struck out 25 batters with nine walks and 13 hits allowed. But Hurd struggled mightily as soon as SEC play began. In his three starts against Texas A&M, Arkansas and Tennessee, Hurd coughed up 12 runs on 12 hits with eight walks in just 5.1 innings, ending his run by giving up six runs against the Volunteers — all without recording an out.
MORE: Skenes' pitch count heading into CWS Game 3
He was removed from the rotation after the disastrous outing against the Volunteers and pitched in relief. He had rough outings against Kentucky on April 15 and against Mississippi State on May 13, but for the most part had been solid, posting a 3.82 ERA in other outings during the season.
Hurd has been at his best in the College World Series. In two outings against No. 1 Wake Forest, he allowed only one run in six innings with just four hits and four walks allowed while striking out six batters.
In taking the ball against Florida, Hurd will be making his first start since May 24, when he started against South Carolina. He went 5.1 innings and allowed three runs on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
When is Thatcher Hurd MLB draft eligible?
Hurd will not be eligible to head to the draft until 2024, following the end of his junior season.
There was a point where it looked like Hurd and Skenes might go in comparable positions in the draft. Skenes is widely considered a top-two prospect in the 2023 class. Baseball America rated Hurd as the No. 2 prospect in the 2024 class before the start of the season. However, his inconsistent season has likely dropped him down a bit by evaluators.
Hurd doesn't quite have the high-octane velocity that Skenes has, though he can reach the upper-90s with his fastball and sits in the mid-90s. He mixes in a mid-80s slider that, at its best, is a true wipeout pitch. Adding to his balanced repertoire is a curveball and changeup that he can throw effectively, even if he doesn't use them as often.
Perhaps the most intriguing element of Hurd's profile is the fact that he's still a bit of a raw pitcher. He has the size and easy delivery that make it clear he can handle being a starter, as well as a diverse array of pitches. He has only been a pitcher regularly for three seasons, and with some refinement, could harness his impressive stuff and make for a high upside hurler, much like his teammate.
Thatcher Hurd stats
| Year | W-L | G-GS | IP | SO | BB | ERA |
| 2022 | 2-0 | 9-6 | 34 | 48 | 10 | 1.06 |
| 2023 | 7-2 | 22-10 | 57.1 | 77 | 38 | 5.97 |
