Over the past decade, the Texas Longhorns have consistently showcased exceptional shortstop talent, a standard raised further by former Gold Glove winner Troy Tulowitzki since he joined the coaching staff in 2019.
Last season, Adrian Rodriguez played multiple positions including second base, third base, and left field, but now he will reclaim the shortstop position previously held at a high level by Jarin Flores, who is recovering from hand surgery. Rodriguez missed seven games due to a pitch injury against Missouri State and dealt with pain that limited him to left-handed hitting for the remainder of the season, limiting his defensive opportunities in the infield.
Despite these setbacks, Rodriguez displayed resilience, earning the Perfect Game Rookie All-American honor. He finished the season strong, reaching base safely in his last 25 games and posting a .313/.410/.516 slash line with 35 runs, 14 doubles, seven home runs, 23 RBIs, and tied for the team lead with 15 stolen bases. If Rodriguez stays healthy, he is poised to take a significant step forward in 2026, even though his offseason preparation was disrupted by hand surgery. His switch-hitting ability consistently created favorable matchups, and his bat-to-ball skills were impressive despite the lingering pain.
Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle recently reported that Rodriguez is progressing well in his recovery and should be swinging the bat within a week or two. However, they are cautious in his rehab to prevent overexertion, as Rodriguez tends to push himself hard when given the chance.
Rodriguez’s double-play partner at second base will be junior Ethan Mendoza, now in his second season with the Longhorns after transferring from Arizona State. Mendoza showed promising power early on but was hampered by a shoulder injury that forced a shift to designated hitter, diminishing his power production. Over the offseason, Mendoza added about 20 pounds of muscle, focusing on enhancing both his sprint speed and lateral quickness, which is expected to improve his power consistency and slugging percentage by converting his short power streak last season into more reliable production.
Mendoza has also refined his plate approach since joining Texas, improving his patience and ability to work deeper counts. He nearly tripled his walk total from 13 in 2024 to 36 in 2025, though this also led to an increase in strikeouts—a tradeoff Schlossnagle considers worthwhile.
To fill the gap left by former catcher Kimble Schuessler, a top defensive first baseman, the staff has shifted junior Casey Borba back from third base to his primary position at first base for 2024. Schlossnagle aims to develop Borba into a regular starter by enhancing his athleticism and knowledge of the position, particularly regarding defensive fundamentals like bunts, positioning, and communication.
Offensively, Borba is encouraged to adopt an opposite-field hitting approach. Although he hit 12 home runs in 2025 and raised his slugging percentage with 86 RBIs, his batting average declined as he struggled against defensive shifts. Borba demonstrated his power potential in a standout game against Kansas State, hitting his first multi-home run game, including a grand slam and setting a career-high with eight RBIs.
For Borba to truly break out and fulfill his potential—one that ranks him among the top talents from Orange Lutheran in California—he must learn to use the entire field when hitting.
At third base, Schlossnagle is weighing options between Stanford transfer Temo Becerra, known for defensive skill and contact hitting but limited power, and Wichita State transfer Josh Livingston, who can play first and second base. Livingston, who led Wichita State with 15 home runs and a .555 slugging percentage last season, offers a left-handed power bat likely to start against right-handed pitching and possibly serve as a designated hitter.
Interestingly, Mendoza predicts Becerra could surprise fans, praising his experience, game intelligence, and subtle yet effective play style.
Additional infield depth comes from sophomore Callum Earley, a Liberty transfer batting .295 last season, and highly regarded freshman Maddox Monsoor, valued for his versatility including outfield capability.
While Schlossnagle hopes to bolster the infield further, the current lineup’s experience and untapped potential, especially among Rodriguez, Mendoza, and Borba, promises an intriguing season in 2026.
Fan Take: This outlook on Texas’ infield development highlights how nurturing young talent and overcoming adversity can reshape a team’s future—exciting for baseball enthusiasts who appreciate the sport’s blend of skill, strategy, and resilience. If these players continue progressing, it could redefine collegiate infield play and influence how defenders and hitters evolve at this level.
