It has been a hectic few weeks for Texas baseball since the hire of Jim Schlossnagle. The roster for the 2025 season has continued to take shape and should have further clarity following the MLB Draft, which begins on Sunday. Here are the notable updates up to this point:
The Returners
A handful of non-draft-eligible players announced their intentions to return for the 2025 season. This group includes OF Max Belyeu, OF Will Gasparino, OF Tommy Farmer, INF Casey Borba, C Kimble Schuessler, C Rylan Galvan, LHP Ace Whitehead and RHP Max Grubbs.
The Portal and JUCO Additions
Texas has been very active in the portal and JUCO ranks, especially on the pitching side. The Longhorns have added RHP Thomas Burns (Arizona State), RHP Ruger Riojas (UTSA), RHP Aiden Moffett (LSU), LHP Ethan Walker (Walters State CC), LHP Kade Bing (McLennan CC), RHP Eli Trop (Penn) and RHP Derek Vartanian (Campbell). Burns, Bing, and Vartanian should immediately compete for weekend rotation spots, while Moffett, Trop, and Riojas should slot in nicely in the backend of the Texas bullpen.
The Longhorns have added only two portal position players, but both will be impact starters. OF Easton Winfield (ULM) hit .332 as a freshman with the Warhawks and likely slots in as the everyday LF. Infielder Ethan Mendoza (Arizona State) figures to open the season as the everyday 2B and is also coming off a good freshman campaign where he hit .315.
Portal Departures
The Longhorns have lost a handful of players to the portal, most notably 2B Dee Kennedy. Kennedy started 40 games as a freshman in 2024. Texas also lost LHP David Shaw, RHP Cole Selvig and INF Sam Ardoin.
High School Additions
Texas has added two key members to the 2024 class since Schlossnagle’s hire. Infielder Adrian Rodriguez flipped his commitment from Texas A&M to Texas and the switch-hitter should immediately push for playing time at either SS or 3B. RHP Drew Rerick was another Texas A&M flip who carries significant draft risk but would be an immediate impact arm if he made it to campus.
