As the Texas Longhorns turn their attention to the 2026 baseball season, it’s critical to assess the current roster, evaluate positional strengths and weaknesses, and determine how best to use the NCAA transfer portal to solidify the team’s chances at a deep postseason run. After an up-and-down 2025 campaign that ended short of expectations, head coach David Pierce and his staff face a pivotal offseason in terms of roster management and talent acquisition.
Pitching Staff: Strengths, Departures, and Additions Needed
Texas enters the 2026 season with a mix of returning arms and significant questions in both the starting rotation and bullpen. Junior ace Owen Carlisle, who posted a 3.21 ERA across 94 innings, is expected to depart for the MLB Draft. His exit leaves a major void atop the rotation. Behind him, sophomore lefty Marco Salinas showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency. Reliever-turned-starter Carson Brooks may earn a shot at a permanent weekend role, though his command remains a concern.
The bullpen is a mixed bag. Closer Eli Townsend, a junior who saved 12 games with a sub-2.00 ERA, may also turn pro. Setup options like Tanner Wells and Cam Mendoza are expected to return, but the depth past those names is questionable. Injuries exposed a lack of reliable middle relievers late in the season.
Portal Needs: Texas should aggressively target a Friday-night starter through the portal — ideally a graduate transfer with high-level experience in a Power 5 conference. They also need at least one shutdown bullpen arm, preferably someone with postseason experience. A left-handed specialist would be valuable, given the team’s current righty-heavy pen.
Catcher: A Position in Flux
Senior backstop Logan DeVine exhausted his eligibility, leaving a leadership and defensive hole behind the plate. Sophomore Cade Murphy saw limited action in 2025 and is still developing both offensively and defensively. The coaching staff has been high on freshman commit AJ Torres, but relying on a true freshman at catcher is always a gamble in college baseball.
Portal Needs: Texas should explore bringing in a veteran catcher — even if just for depth. Ideally, someone who can manage a pitching staff and provide a competent bat. An experienced backstop could ease the transition for young pitchers and fill a key leadership role on the field.
Infield: Solid Core with Potential Shuffling
The infield is in relatively strong shape heading into 2026. Junior shortstop Ryan Molina, one of the team’s most consistent defenders and a .290 hitter, returns and is the defensive anchor. Second baseman Jalen Price had a breakout sophomore season and provides speed and gap power. At third, sophomore Leo Bennett struggled at the plate, hitting just .220, and could face competition for his job. First base is an open competition with the graduation of slugger Blake Snyder, whose power will be sorely missed.
Portal Needs: A power-hitting first baseman is near the top of the shopping list. If Texas can’t replace Snyder’s home run production internally, the portal must supply a big bat. Additionally, a versatile infielder who can play multiple positions would provide insurance against injury or underperformance.
Outfield: Athleticism Returns, but Power is Lacking
The outfield returns three athletic defenders in Nico Ramirez, D.J. Fulton, and Caleb Ruiz. While all three are capable runners with solid arms, the group combined for just 11 home runs in 2025. Offense from the outfield was an issue throughout the season, particularly in conference play.
Portal Needs: A corner outfielder with middle-of-the-order potential is crucial. Ideally, this would be a player with both power and on-base skills. While the current outfield provides excellent defense, Texas needs more offensive production to compete in the high-powered Big 12.
Bench and Depth
Texas lacked depth in 2025, particularly in late-season series and during injuries. Several underclassmen showed potential in pinch-hitting and spot-start roles, but the overall bench lacked impact. Developing those players will be a priority in fall ball, but the portal may also provide immediate help in the form of multi-position utility players or platoon bats.
Portal Needs: Texas should look for a flexible veteran who can play multiple positions and provide quality at-bats off the bench. The team can also benefit from another base-stealing threat to help manufacture runs in tight games.
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Final Thoughts
The 2026 Texas baseball roster is not in need of a total overhaul, but there are clear areas where the transfer portal must be used strategically. With a strong returning core in the infield and bullpen, the biggest holes are in the rotation, catcher, first base, and corner outfield. Coach Pierce and his staff have been successful in previous offseasons when targeting portal talent, but the stakes are higher now. After two years of falling short in Super Regionals, 2026 represents a make-or-break campaign for the program’s national aspirations. The next two months in the por
tal could very well define their season.
