This week, the Texas Longhorns received big news as three pitchers will be returning to Austin for the 2026 college baseball season.
Max Grubbs, Ruger Riojas and Luke Harrison all withdrew their names from the 2025 MLB Draft and opted to return.
SCOOP: Some massive news for @TexasBaseball, as I’m told RHP Ruger Riojas, LHP Luke Harrison and RHP Max Grubbs will all opt out of the upcoming #MLBDraft and return to Austin for another season with the #Horns. Texas should be one of the title favorites in 2026. #HookEm #SEC pic.twitter.com/SF51cLtyWi
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) July 9, 2025
All three pitchers played significant roles for the Longhorns in 2025 and are set to do so again in 2026.
Grubbs’ role shifted from starting pitcher in 2024 to high-usage reliever in 2025. In 22 appearances and 57 innings, he recorded 61 strikeouts and five saves. Two of those saves came in SEC games against Mississippi State and Texas A&M.
Riojas transferred to Texas from UTSA and made an immediate impact as both a starter and reliever. In 18 appearances, with 10 of them being starts, he finished with a 9-3 record, 62 strikeouts and 21 walks.
His best performance came against Missouri on March 29, when he pitched seven innings, struck out 10, allowed just two hits, and gave up no walks or earned runs.
Harrison was another key member of the Longhorns’ 2025 starting rotation. In 15 starts and 70 2/3 innings, he tallied 72 strikeouts and held opponents to a .237 batting average. He also posted a 5-1 record.
Last season, with Grubbs, Riojas and Harrison playing major roles, Texas led the SEC with a team ERA of 3.71, ranking sixth nationally.
Head coach Jim Schlossnagle is getting back three major contributors from what was an elite pitching staff last season. Texas is once again on the road to competing for a national championship in 2026.
one more ride ????#HookEm | @TexasLonghorns pic.twitter.com/VYSd2PZUkX
— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) July 9, 2025
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
Photo: Texas starting pitcher Max Grubbs throws against Louisiana during an NCAA regional baseball game on Friday, May 31, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke).
