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Examining the 2026 Roster After the MLB Draft

by: Justin Nash07/26/25
Jim Schlossnagle
Jim Schlossnagle (Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

When a player is selected for the MLB Draft, it isn’t definitive that they will be jumping into that organization’s roster of prospects. Players are allowed to negotiate and make a decision on whether they should sign and join one of these organizations, or return back to college for another chance at a different selection. The deadline for this is August 1st, just under a week away.

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Before diving into where the Texas Longhorns stand after the MLB Draft, the rosters in college baseball have shrunk from 40 to 34 after the recent House settlement. The resulting effect will be a much more competitive path for freshmen to make the final roster.

Starting with the players from the 2025 squad in the draft, all have decided to sign except Rylan Galvan, but all signs point to him heading to the minors. While Jared Spencer was out of eligibility, Max Belyeu, Jalin Flores, and Grayson Saunier all had the option of returning but opted to sign their MLB contracts.

Moving to the incoming portal class, two players were draft risks heading into draft day. The thought on draft day was that Texas was fairly safe with the MLB Draft not tempting Jack Moroknek (OF/Butler) and Kaleb Freeman (UTL/Georgia State). Those thoughts turned out to be wrong, and the duo, along with Luke Dotson (LHP/Miss State), have decided to go on to the professional ranks in hopes of an MLB career.

Where Texas avoided getting gutted by the draft was the incoming freshmen class that is filled with potential impact arms at Texas, some having the chance to make an impact in year one. The obvious choices that were a longshot’s longshot to make the 2026 roster were Gavin Fien (3B) and Kayson Cunningham (SS). Both are exceptional talents, and it was always easy to see them signing. Out of the pitchers, Texas lost Grayson Boles (RHP) and Xavier Mitchell (LHP), the latter of the two signed one of the highest non-priority round signing bonuses ($872,500) in the history of the draft.

After the draft, Texas has found what seems to be the replacements for Moroknek and Freeman with Ashton Larson (OF/LSU) and Callum Early (2B/Liberty). That leaves us with what will look like a top 10 roster heading into the fall.

Right now, the Texas roster looks to be extremely competitive with excellent pitching. Power numbers are expected to drop with Carson Tinney and Casey Borba being the only true power hitters, while players like Ethan Mendoza and Aiden Robbins will lead the team in average without a ton of long balls on the season… though don’t tell Aiden Robbins that because he’s been slugging in the Cape Cod League.

The pitching talent already looked like some of the best in the nation before the draft, with guarantees of the likes of Dylan Volantis, Luke Harrison, Max Grubbs and Ruger Riojas returning, but the freshman who will end up making it to campus only extends confidence in this rotation. Texas’ loss of Saunier and Dotson can immediately be backfilled by players like Sam Cozart, Brett Crossland and Jack McKernan, the former two being top-12 pitching prospects in the nation according to Perfect Game.

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The future for Texas Baseball looks bright.

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