With the college baseball season set to start this weekend, expectations are higher than ever for the Texas Longhorns. They have a roster full of talent that is already making national headlines. On Tuesday, Thomas Burns, Max Grubbs, and Cal Higgins were named to the preseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year Award.
Each year, the award is given to the best relief pitcher in the country. The Longhorns find themselves in a unique position as they are one of the three programs with three honorees. Joining them are Arkansas and Tennessee.
For many who have seen Burns pitch, his inclusion on the watch list comes as no surprise. Last season, he posted a team-best 13.5 K/9 in his first season in the burnt orange. He also struck out 40 batters in 26.2 innings while holding opponents to a .185 batting average.
While Burns frustrated opponents, the Longhorns had another weapon in Grubbs. The Texas native posted a 2.84 ERA in 57 innings last season. He also held opponents to a .238 batting average while adding a career-high 61 strikeouts to his resume. As the Longhorns won an SEC title, the Martin High Alum flashed the form that made him a 2024 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
Rounding out the trio is Higgins, who Texas added through the transfer portal. During the 2025 campaign, Higgins posted a 1.87 ERA, which was the fourth-best mark in the nation. He also thrived in high-leverage situations, collecting six saves. With the Nebraska native in the mix, Texas has a formidable group in late innings to rely on.
As the Longhorns look to win a national title, they will be relying on Grubbs, Buns, and Higgins to replicate their excellence from the 2025 campaign. If they can do that, the Longhorns relievers will hear their names called when award season rolls around
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns baseball trio named to Stopper of Year Award watch list
Reporting by Jamie Gatlin, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
