The Rockies drafted TCU closer Tanner Sagouspe in Round 9 after a breakout year: a 2.43 ERA, 5 saves and 43 strikeouts across 33.1 innings for the Horned Frogs.
Tanner Sagouspe turned one dominant season at TCU into a ticket to professional baseball.
The Colorado Rockies selected the Horned Frogs’ right-handed closer with the No. 254 overall pick in the ninth round of the 2026 MLB Draft, rewarding a pitcher who quickly became one of the Big 12’s most reliable late-inning weapons.
Sagouspe arrived in Fort Worth after four seasons at Cal Poly and didn’t waste time making his presence felt.
The 6-0, 195-pound reliever posted a 2.43 ERA across 33.1 innings, struck out 43 batters and issued only 14 walks. He also led TCU with five saves while earning All-Big 12 First Team honors.
That’s not a bad way to introduce yourself to a new conference.
Sagouspe’s value goes beyond one strong spring. He brought years of bullpen experience to TCU after making 62 appearances at Cal Poly, where he finished 8-6 with a 4.06 ERA.
He logged 99.2 innings for the Mustangs, recorded 120 strikeouts and walked 48.
More importantly for Colorado, Sagouspe has already shown he can handle the pressure of protecting late leads.
He collected 15 saves over his final two seasons at Cal Poly and piled up 104 strikeouts during that stretch before taking another step forward with the Horned Frogs.
Ninth-round picks don’t arrive with guarantees, but Sagouspe has a profile worth betting on: proven production, swing-and-miss ability, command and extensive high-leverage experience.
The Rockies have plenty of pitching development work ahead throughout their organization, and Sagouspe now gets his chance to become part of the solution.
He wasn’t at TCU long, but one season was enough to leave a mark—and enough to get Colorado’s attention.
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