For the Texas Longhorns the 2026 campaign has been full of unforgettable moments. Many of those have been provided by freshman outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. On Monday the California native was recognized for his efforts when he was named the SEC Freshman of the Year.
In his first season wearing the brunt orange, Pack posted a .360 batting average in 52 games. He also showed some power with 23 extra-base hits, including seven home runs. While he was one of the Longhorns’ best hitters, he was also one of the best players in the SEC.
As Pack was a human highlight reel, he also made history. He became the first freshman to hit .400 in SEC play since Mississippi State’s Jake Mangum in 2016. That wasn’t the only way he made an impact as the California native finished the 2026 campaign tied in third for walks and ranked sixth in OPS.
While Pack etched his way into the record books, he wasn’t the only Longhorn to take home new hardware on Monday. Fellow outfielder Aiden Robbins was named SEC Newcomer of the Year. The elite duo has spent the last few months making life hard for hitters and frustrating pitchers.
Although there are many things to like about Pack’s game. One thing that stood out was his ability to make an impact with his speed. He stole 20 bases, which was the most by a Texas freshman since Drew Stubbs swiped 28 bags in 2004. That is not bad company to be in, as Stubbs went on to have a very successful MLB career after college.
Due to his stellar play, the expectations for Pack will be much higher next season. However, that is a challenge he is ready to face, as the Milikan High alum has shown he is an elite player over the last few months.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns star Anthony Pack Jr. named Named SEC Freshman of the Year
Reporting by Jamie Gatlin, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
