Experienced Rice arm, but 2026 impact stalled by injury
Eppley enters the Rice pitching mix as a 6-foot-1, 207-pound graduate student with two-way experience, but he did not see action in 2026 after an injury in the fall[1]. The upside is obvious: he has proved he can both pitch and contribute offensively, which hints at athleticism and adaptability, and his College of Central Florida résumé showed he could handle innings while also bringing some bat pop[1]. The key question is health—if he gets back on the mound, he could be a useful, competitive depth piece for a team that values versatility and toughness[1].
