Three elite Longhorns arms dominate the Stopper of the Year watch list, promising a formidable shutdown bullpen for Texas baseball's championship aspirations.
Texas baseball’s bullpen strength is already earning national recognition before the season even begins.
The Longhorns placed three relievers - Thomas Burns, Max Grubbs, and Cal Higgins - on the preseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year Award, signaling just how deep and dangerous the back end of the staff could be in 2026.
Texas is one of only three SEC programs to land three pitchers on the list, joining Arkansas and Tennessee, a testament to the growing reputation of the Longhorns’ relief corps.
Burns made an immediate impression in his first season on the Forty Acres. The 6-3 right-hander led Texas in strikeout rate, fanning hitters at a 13.5 K/9 clip. He struck out 40 batters in just 26.2 innings while holding opponents to a .185 batting average. Burns appeared in 19 games, recorded four saves, and posted a 3.71 ERA, often overpowering hitters with late-inning velocity.
Grubbs brings experience and consistency to the mix. The Arlington native went 6-2 with a 2.84 ERA last season and added five saves out of the bullpen. He logged 57 innings, striking out 61 batters while issuing only 14 walks.
A 2024 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection, Grubbs limited hitters to a .238 average and frequently handled high-leverage situations.
Higgins may be the most polished of the trio. The Western Kentucky transfer turned heads nationally with a 1.87 ERA, the fourth-best mark in the country among pitchers with at least 40 innings.
He totaled 52 strikeouts in 43 1/3 frames, earned six saves, and held opponents to a .190 average over 22 appearances. His performance earned him ABCA/Rawlings Midwest All-Region Second Team honors.
With Burns’ power, Grubbs’ reliability, and Higgins’ precision, Texas enters the season with one of the nation’s most formidable bullpen units.
If this trio performs anywhere near expectations, the Longhorns’ late innings could quickly become a nightmare for opposing lineups ... and a major asset in their postseason push.