The Iowa Baseball season ended less than a week ago, but the roster is already starting to experience turnover. The starting pitching staff has been the hardest-hit area of the Hawkeye squad.
Star pitchers Cade Obermueller and Aaron Savary are likely headed to Major League Baseball, and senior Reece Beuter said goodbye to the program on social media.
On Thursday, the Hawkeyes also lost reliever Sam Hunt to the transfer portal after he spent two seasons with the Iowa program.
Over the weekend, Iowa received more bad news after another potential starting pitcher decided to enter the transfer portal before next season.
I will be entering the Transfer Portal from the University of Iowa.
— Anthony Watts (@anthony_watts2) May 30, 2025
129 career Innings
.181 BAA
FB:93-96
SL:87-90
CH:85-87 pic.twitter.com/GYVCKogix0
Right-handed pitcher Anthony Watts announced he is leaving the program after spending two seasons with the Hawkeyes. Before joining the Hawkeyes, the Clive, Iowa, native spent two seasons with Creighton.
During his final season with Creighton before joining the Hawkeyes (2023), Watts posted a 5.15 earned run average (ERA) in 14 appearances (eight starts) for the Blue Jays. He struck out 26 batters in 43.2 innings pitched.
In his first season with Iowa (2024), Watts was superb. He finished with a 3.18 ERA (second lowest on the team) and struck out 58 batters in 45.1 innings. He made 21 appearances (three starts), going 3-0 in his starts.
Last season, Watts finished 4-4 with a 4.72 ERA and had 45 strikeouts in 40 innings. He made 24 appearances and did not earn any starts.
Watts's entering the transfer portal is a big blow to the Iowa pitching staff, which is now short multiple starters for next season. The Hawkeyes will have to replace their entire starting pitching rotation from last season, and Watts was a solid candidate to earn one of those positions.