Good news baseball fans, @Jeff Howe, @Blake Munroe and myself will be firing up Bases Loaded this week as the season inches ever so close to returning over at the Disch.

Until then, I wanted to share a few takeaways from the Alumni Game from Saturday afternoon.

***

First and foremost, the pitching that we had been hearing so much about showed up. Of course, the weather wasn't great for anyone, with temperatures hovering around 40º-45º, it was undoubtedly cold.

– One of the young arms we have heard a lot about is RHP Brett Crossland. He was on the hill early in this one and displayed a wicked breaking ball. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound pitcher 

Crossland got Drew Messinger looking with that breaking ball in one of the more impressive outings of the day.

– RHP Sam Cozart was sitting in the mid-90s for most of his outing. A positive sign. He went 4 1/3 innings pitched of scoreless ball.

– RHP Max Grubbs is one of those high-profile arms that Texas will rely on out of the pen in 2026. He got in trouble in the 7th inning, allowing two runs on a single by junior catcher Andrew Ermis. Grubbs hung a fastball which was sent back to RCF for a 2-run single.

– Speaking of catchers, of course it is going to be Carson Tinney who sees the majority of starts behind the plate, but the Longhorns have plenty of depth at the catchers spot. Ermis and freshman Presley Courville provide plenty of possible solutions at the spot this year.

Tinney ended up with a base hit in the contest.

– With Jonah Williams still getting acclimated back to live pitching, the starting outfield trio look liked this:

• LF – Ashton Larson
• CF – Aiden Robbins
• RF – Anthony Pack Jr.

The belief is Robbins will spin over to right, and Pack will end up in left when Williams returns to the lineup in centerfield.

– Stanford transfer Temo Becerra ended up starting at SS for the Horns. Adrian Rodriguez is still recovering from a hand issue which should not have him shelved for much longer.

At 3B, Texas trotted out Wichita State transfer Josh Livingston. Livingston had 26 home runs and a 1.002 career OPS for the Shockers. 

– As expected, it was Casey Borba at first base. While it was mentioned a week ago that Borba could be someone who gets time at each of the corner infield spots, the likely destination to begin the season will be at 1B. Borba had a double and scored a run in the game as well.

Sam Cozart looked like a 40 year old grown man.. hard to believe he’s a freshman 😂

3 minutes ago, McCoyColt said:

Sam Cozart looked like a 40 year old grown man.. hard to believe he’s a freshman 😂

Both Cozart and Crossland have the future of the Texas pitching staff in great hands. 

 

 

Ermis with a knock with the bases loaded.

Good stuff CJ.

 

Hook 'em !!

Are they really going to play A Rod at SS? He was a bad fielder last year. Need a better athlete there.

1 hour ago, CJ Vogel said:

 

Damn skippy

1 hour ago, f1revo said:

Are they really going to play A Rod at SS? He was a bad fielder last year. Need a better athlete there.

You realize he was playing while injured???  🤷🏾‍♂️

Sam Cozart is a fully grown man!!!

⚾🤘🏻⚾🤘🏼⚾🤘⚾🤘🏽⚾🤘🏾⚾🤘🏿⚾

 

 

Edited February 1Feb 1 by Burnt Orange Horn

1 hour ago, f1revo said:

Are they really going to play A Rod at SS? He was a bad fielder last year. Need a better athlete there.

That's where he wants to play and Schloss feels he's earned the right to be the guy.

Incredibly excited for baseball season, Schloss is gonna show us a glimpse of the future this year.

3 hours ago, f1revo said:

Are they really going to play A Rod at SS? He was a bad fielder last year. Need a better athlete there.

I think A Rod will be fine at short once healthy. If not there’s a lot of talent behind him that’ll take that spot. I expect the leash won’t be as long for most positions due to the depth across the board. 

Just now, Jerry K said:

I think A Rod will be fine at short once healthy. If not there’s a lot of talent behind him that’ll take that spot. I expect the leash won’t be as long for most positions due to the depth across the board. 

Didn't know about injury but there were mental lapses too. I'll believe when I see, basically.

1 minute ago, f1revo said:

Didn't know about injury but there were mental lapses too. I'll believe when I see, basically.

Yeah he injured his hand. He hit over 300 last season with an injured hand. He’s very talented and has the grit and drive it takes to be special. I believe the staff sees a high ceiling for him. 

Crossland is a big old boy 

11 hours ago, General Grant said:

Crossland is a big old boy 

Crossland, Cozart and Michael Winter are all big RHP.

Crossland 6’5” 255 lbs

Cozart 6’6” 260 lbs

Winter 6’5” 240 lbs

1 hour ago, marathon said:

Crossland, Cozart and Michael Winter are all big RHP.

Crossland 6’5” 255 lbs

Cozart 6’6” 260 lbs

Winter 6’5” 240 lbs

Any chance these hosses might consider playing another sport, say OL-never mind …

14 hours ago, f1revo said:

Didn't know about injury but there were mental lapses too. I'll believe when I see, basically.

Keep your eyes wide open!!

⚾🤘🏻⚾🤘🏼⚾🤘⚾🤘🏽⚾🤘🏾⚾🤘🏿⚾

14 hours ago, Jerry K said:

Yeah he injured his hand. He hit over 300 last season with an injured hand. He’s very talented and has the grit and drive it takes to be special. I believe the staff sees a high ceiling for him. 

I thought it was his wrist.  He could not swing with full power.

34 minutes ago, Burnt Orange Horn said:

I thought it was his wrist.  He could not swing with full power.

Yep my apologies you are correct.