A pivotal part of the baseball experience, walk-up songs should embody the player and strike fear into the opposing pitcher, while simultaneously being “hype.” A good walk-up song should kindle applause and prepare the player to launch a pitch 400 feet out to left field.

Baseball beat reporters Hunter Dworaczyk and Jordan Mitchell will analyze the Longhorns’ walk-up songs, because they are tired of analyzing the batting lineup based on superficial things like hits and slugging percentage. Instead, they will (subjectively) judge the players based on their one identifiable trait visible to the public eye.

Batter up.

9. Skyler Messinger: “The Red” by Chevelle 

Jordan Mitchell: I asked Jeff Howe from 247 Sports what Messinger’s walk-up song was after my Shazam didn’t recognize it. He said it was by Chevelle — a rock group “overshadowed by Metallica.” Like Chevelle, this walk-up song is forgettable. 

8. Dylan Campbell: “N 2 Deep” by Drake featuring Future 

Hunter Dworaczyk: With Drake being active for well over a decade now, it is no surprise that his songs are well represented in baseball lineups throughout the country. While “N 2 Deep” does have a nice beat, it is just not very distinguishable from other mainstream rap. 

7. Dougie Hodo: “When It Rains It Pours” by 50 Cent 

HD: During the season opener against Rice, “When It Rains It Pours” was the first walk-up song the Longhorn faithful got to hear this season. 50 Cent’s song serves as a solid tune to refresh Texas back to the top of the lineup.

6. Trey Faltine: “Balenciaga” by Ozuna and Ele A El Dominio 

JM: “Balenciaga” is very in-your-face, as is Faltine. The shortstop carries around a boombox with him to every game and gifted a signed baseball to a Texas State fan after the Longhorns narrowly topped the Bobcats 9-8. This song screams drama, and Faltine is the drama.

5. Austin Todd: “Fishin’ In The Dark” by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band 

JM: I wasn’t allowed to listen to country music growing up, but I knew I was missing out when I heard Todd’s walk up for the first time. “Fishin’ In The Dark” is now my second most-listened-to song of the year.

4. Silas Ardoin: “Way 2 Sexy” by Drake featuring Young Thug and Future 

HD: Perhaps it is our youth, but Jordan and I agreed this song shows absolute confidence on Ardoin’s side. I’ll put it this way — would you want to pitch to someone who is “Way 2 Sexy”?

3. Murphy Stehly: “California Gurls” by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg

JM: Hunter and I argued about how this song fits Murphy Stehly for 10 minutes. “California Gurls” perfectly aligns with Stehly’s bold-batting persona at the plate but could not be further from his postgame interviews, where he is soft-spoken. Regardless, this walk-up song gets everyone singing the Katy Perry classic. 

2. Mitch Daly: “The Way I Live” by Baby Boy Da Prince featuring Boosie Badazz 

JM: It’s hard to pinpoint what is so great about this song. Maybe it radiates a nonchalant, happy-go-lucky charm perfect for the summertime? Or maybe it’s the playful rhythm and rhyme? Regardless, this song has been stuck in my head for about three months now.

1. Ivan Melendez: “El Rey” by Vicente Fernández 

HD: There are not enough words to describe how epic Melendez’s walk-up song is, so I will share an anecdote. Prior to transferring to UT, I took two semesters of Spanish at Wharton County Junior College. Despite not retaining much, I now know “El Rey” word-for-word. It is that remarkable.