Baseball thread for 2026 and going forward

[83Dee]

We are getting closer to the end of the regular season. So, as I said I would do, let's start talking about the 2026 HS signees.

These are the 3-4 that I don't believe will make it through the MLB draft in July and go unsigned by the MLB team.

1. Grady Emerson a SS and is considered the #1 or #2 draft pick. He has been the top national player for 2 yrs. He hits left handed, but throws right. He may not have the power, but can hit to any part of the field.

2. Beau Peterson a 3rd baseman, bats left side throws right handed. He may not be a 3rd baseman in the pros. He is to good of a draft prospect to not get drafted. He may be a 1st baseman or corner outfielder in the pros.

3. Trey Rangel RHP. With 4 pitches and the fastball at 96-99 mph. Haven't really seen any issues for him.

4. Brody Bumila a 6'9" 245lbs. Lefty. He has a 4 pitch with a fastball that goes from 96-100 mph. The change up closer to 90. Curve ball and slider that are in the 80s. His only issue seems to be control as he has currently 8 HBP in 19 innings.


An outside chance of being drafted is

5. Jax Robinson. Catcher great throwing arm. Works with pitchers really well. Solid at bats.


Again just a guess on my part, but most outlets that are non Texas outlets say these 5 are possible, but it's up to scouts and teams seeing who is possible in signing.

This is just 5 of the 20 signees.

Again I didn't think that Crossland and a couple of others from this freshman class would be on campus. So, the 5 listed could make it on campus.

I be getting to more of the 2026 class over the weekend.

I imagine NIL gives us a better chance of keeping top-tier recruits these days? Thank you, I enjoyed reading this.

 

[david ficken]

I imagine NIL gives us a better chance of keeping top-tier recruits these days? Thank you, I enjoyed reading this.

I don't know how well the NIL will offset MLB draft. Top draft picks get from 10.5+ Million to 5 million. We just don't go that high on baseball players. If they say don't draft me as I want to go to Texas that is different. Some have done that for Texas and other colleges. We just don't go where LSU is on baseball players for NIL.

 

[david ficken]

So, I have been on the top 4 teams that could be the final 4 teams in baseball for CWS. I now think UCLA, Georgia Tech, us, and Georgia are the 4. Don't know what happened to LSU, but they are as close to being done.

It's interesting that 4 of the 5 longest active streaks for getting to regionals are about done:

Vandy, LSU, okie lite, and Dallas Baptist U.

I truly hate listening to ESPN SEC announcers for baseball games involving us. It's like they hate to talk about us, but they have to say something. This I watch on YouTube/TV but listen to Craig and Keith on the radio.

 

[Wayne]

So, I have been on the top 4 teams that could be the final 4 teams in baseball for CWS. I now think UCLA, Georgia Tech, us, and Georgia are the 4. Don't know what happened to LSU, but they are as close to being done.

It's interesting that 4 of the 5 longest active streaks for getting to regionals are about done:

Vandy, LSU, okie lite, and Dallas Baptist U.

I truly hate listening to ESPN SEC announcers for baseball games involving us. It's like they hate to talk about us, but they have to say something. This I watch on YouTube/TV but listen to Craig and Keith on the radio.

Noticed that too. When on the road we get that teams announcers. When home we get ours.

 

[david ficken]

Round 2 of signees

1. Easton Autrey: 3rd baseman. A top defender of the hot corner that gets a high velo on throws to 1st. He also has great power. He is 1 of 3 teens that has hit a Jr over 500 ft. In fact he has the new benchmark for teen 500+ Jr at 544 ft. Google him and see what comes up usually there are videos of his swing. He is one of several high end players that flipped from gaggy to us once Coach Schloss was hired.

2. Brady Murrieta (catcher): solid defensive catcher that knows how to block most pitches and frame pitches for pitchers. He is more of a contact hitter than power hitter. Not the strongest arm.

3. Reiston Durham (INF) bats left/throws right handed. Solid power hitter. Above average defender. Could be a SS/2nd/1st baseman.

4. Lawson Behan (SS/INF) bats and throws R. Really A+; defender that could play 3rd or SS. Solid batting average with power.

5. Bryce Krenek (LHP). 4 pitches. Fastball low 90s. Change up and slider low 80s. Curveball mid to upper 70s. As a junior he had 143Ks in over 82 innings. He has been on several prep/aau baseball teams.

I'll get another 5 or so signees out. My bad on the delay. These guys info gets updated all the time.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

The defending back to back State champs (Grapevine) have been removed from the playoffs by the UIL Due to use of an ineligible player

 

[david ficken]

So, for the 2nd time this year Volantis is SEC Co-Pitcher of the week. He was also the Co-Pitcher of the week back on Feb. 16th.

He is one of 5 Texas players to get SEC accolades. Temo Becerra ( March 3rd), Sam Cozart (March 9 & April 20th), Riojas (March 30th), and Pack Jr ( April 6th).

Cozart and Pack Jr both have won freshman of the week in the SEC, possibly multiple times. Would have to look up.

That's 2 freshmen and a sophomore on the list that should be here at 1 or 2 more yrs.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Texas will have to go through the postseason without right-handed relief pitcher Max Grubbs, who will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after undergoing arm surgery, the school announced Saturday.

 

[david ficken]

So, for the 1st time since 2010-2011 Texas has back to back 40 win regular seasons.

Now, as for some of our freshmen pitchers, we got to see a lot of Crossland (seems to be not as effective as early in the season), Cozart (part of the All-SEC freshmen team), Walls ( has had both downs and ups), but not Rummel (believe they wanted to use him on some Tuesday games, but unable to), McKernan (same as Rummel), but they finally used Rogers on Saturday in the season finale. Now, the staff does believe in the 5 for 5 seasons of eligibility will pass. So, it is both veterans not performing and the staff wanting wins caused the freshmen to not get as much real time action.

Now, losing Grubbs is not as big a deal as some might think as he hasn't been as sharp as last year. Need Leffew, Higgins, Burns, Howard, Hamilton, Bing, Flores, and I guess Walker to be better strike throwers going forward.

If we actually need a 4th starter probably Hamilton and and possible 5th starter is Howard. Will need bullpen help and possibly putting a starter or 2 in the bullpen. But if Volantis, Harrison, and Riojas are all on doubtful for the need for a 4th or 5th starter in the regionals and won't need in super regionals or CWS.