2025 Updates, Transfers & Recruits

[Chop]

This is from late Summer:

Thomas Burns
RHP

Rose as high as the #1 starter for Arizona State as a Freshman last year. Then he suffered a bicep injury. Hopefully he's fully recovered, as he could see a lot of time on the mound.

Arizona State transfer RHP Thomas Burns commits to Texas

The Longhorns land another arm from the NCAA transfer portal.

www.burntorangenation.com

Thomas Burns
RHP
6'4" tall
Ariz State Transfer (#1 pitcher in their rotation, pre-bicep injury)

As a freshman, Burns started 6 games and finished the season with a 4.75 ERA, striking out 39 in 30.1 innings with opponents only hitting .213.
Fastball in the low 90s.

Threw post-injury in Summer Ball for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters against good college competition (same Summer league that Peyton Powell played in). Got shelled a few games early in the Summer, but progressed as the Summer went along. Closed out the Summer with a 4 inning scoreless outing with 6 strikeouts and 1 walk against Green Bay. His next to last game was 3 scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts and 1 walk against Madison.

We're probably looking at a pretty solid middle reliever, or maybe even a #2, #3, or #4 starter for next year. At one point he was the Ace of the Ariz State staff.

 

[aUTfan]

 

[Chop]

Artificial Intelligence write-up on Ruger Riojas:

Ruger Riojas is a right-handed pitcher for the University of Texas Longhorns baseball team. Here is some information about his scouting report:

• Height and weight: Riojas is 6'1" and weighs 180 pounds.
  
  
  
• Bats and throws: Riojas bats and throws right-handed.
  
  
  
• 2022 recruiting class: In 2022, Perfect Game ranked Riojas outside the top 200 prospects in Texas.
  
  
  
• 2023 season: Riojas was named to the Conference USA All-Conference Freshman Team after making 20 appearances with one start. He had a 5-0 record, 4.11 ERA, and struck out 57 batters in 46 innings.
  
  
  
• Sophomore season: Riojas led the Roadrunners with seven saves in 26 appearances. He had a 10-3 record, 3.25 ERA, and struck out 75 batters in 69.1 innings.
  
  
  
• 2025 projections: Riojas is expected to be a key bullpen piece for the Longhorns in 2025.

 

[aUTfan]

Still too early to make a 2026 thread but putting here because it’s pertinent to future baseball here. I know these top guys may not make it to campus but what if 10% of them do?? Gotta get them in the class first, just one of these guys can propel a team into a championship.

 

[Texadelphia]

Still too early to make a 2026 thread but putting here because it’s pertinent to future baseball here. I know these top guys may not make it to campus but what if 10% of them do?? Gotta get them in the class first, just one of these guys can propel a team into a championship.

The Schloss-inator is working some magic. Me likey.

 

[aUTfan]

Good grief, not sure I’ve seen anything like this before….i know some may not make it but dang, what if most wanted to come to campus if they thought the chances were high they would win a title with this much talent together?

 

[aUTfan]

 

[SabreHorn]

When will he be fully recovered?

 

[aUTfan]

When will he be fully recovered?

Schloss said he’ll be ready by spring semester.

 

[RS]

Just checked and the baseball roster number is still be pretty high. When will the roster be trimmed? It must happen pretty soon to allow cut guys to leave.

 

[aUTfan]

Good question RS and not one we’ve seen an answer to yet for Texas but just saw this post with a little discussion.

 

[RS]

Good question RS and not one we’ve seen an answer to yet for Texas but just saw this post with a little discussion.

Thank for that. Some seemingly pretty good players were cut about this time last year; however, they probably did not quite make the grade in Fall ball- at least according to Pierce's expectations. Schlossnagle brought in a lot of new guys and will have to make some tough decisions. It is almost like free agency in the NFL where guys show up for training camp and then get cut before the season starts. I do feel sorry for the guys at all schools that get cut right at the end of the semester and then have to hustle if they want to find and enroll in a new school. I think it often winds up being JUCO.