Trio of Texas pitchers opt out of MLB draft, will return next season

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three key arms will be back in burnt orange next season for the Texas baseball team.

Starting pitchers Ruger Riojas and Luke Harrison, along with reliever Max Grubbs, are all opting out of the upcoming Major League Baseball draft and will return to the Longhorns.

The program made the announcement on X, posting a photo featuring all three hurlers with the caption, “One more ride.”

The trio helped the Longhorns vastly improve their pitching staff year-over-year last season. Under head coach Jim Schlossnagle and pitching coach Max Weiner, the Longhorns’ team ERA was No. 6 in the country at 3.71, more than a run better than 2024’s team ERA of 4.91. Texas also improved its strikeout totals, from 297 in 2024 to 526 this year, and cut down on walks from 258 to 200.

Combined, the three pitched 196.2 innings for the Longhorns in 2025, more than 38% of the team’s total innings. Harrison led the way with 70.2, followed by Riojas with 69 and Grubbs with 57. Grubbs appeared in 22 games with one start, amassing a 2.84 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 14 walks. Harrison made 15 starts with a 3.06 ERA and Riojas, who began the year as a relief pitcher, made 10 starts and 18 appearances to lead the club with nine wins.

Texas added Mississippi State left-handed pitcher Luke Dotson and Wake Forest lefty Haiden Leffew in the transfer portal.

The MLB first-year player draft is set for July 13-14.