I’m told that Texas second baseman Ethan Mendoza will return next season.

Mendoza will undergo off-season surgery on his shoulder, but no timeline has been given on a return.

As a junior in 2026, he started more than 60 games and put together another productive season, batting .278 with 52 runs, 14 doubles, 10 home runs, 50 RBI and 11 stolen bases. Mendoza also posted a .389 on-base percentage and .478 slugging percentage. 

Will this affect portal recruiting? You have to recruit like he won’t play for a few weeks/months, correct?

Edited July 14Jul 14 by Realist Horn

He could return for 2 years if he doesn’t recover from the shoulder surgery.

2 minutes ago, Realist Horn said:

Will this affect portal recruiting? You have to recruit like he won’t play for a few weeks/months, correct?

Won’t affect it at all. I still expect Texas to look for an infielder. 

Solid floor for the position.

Who knows what Mendoza would have been able to do had he remained fully heathy. Here's to a full recovery and redemption season in 2027.

Do we think he will miss any time at the beginning of next season?

Depth matters

2 minutes ago, Caden Kuykendall said:

Do we think he will miss any time at the beginning of next season?

I would imagine so

5 minutes ago, cmk4pres said:

Depth matters

He is the likely starter if he  can get healthy. 

Edited July 14Jul 14 by MBHORNSFAN

How I envision the lineup to look next spring.

I would fancy it to look like:

 

1. Linkin Garcia

2. Sawyer Solitaria 

3. Anthony Pack Jr.

4. Payton Brennan

5.  Ian Armstrong

6. Adrian Rodriguez

7. Ethan Mendoza

8. Casey Borba

9. Trevor Goldenetz

Pack is not gonna see a pitch to hit all season.  

3 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

How I envision the lineup to look next spring.

XII?

3 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

How I envision the lineup to look next spring.

Oh god we’re going back to the Big 12 😂😂

10 minutes ago, MBHORNSFAN said:

He is the likely starter if he  can get healthy. 

I know. Depth of lineup depending on shoukder surgery. Move on

Disregard the Big12 logo, I didn't have time to fire up photoshop after our livestream lol

10 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

How I envision the lineup to look next spring.

Borba that high on the lineup is not good 😂 

2 minutes ago, Bevohorns said:

Borba that high on the lineup is not good 😂 

I would envision he begins the year hitting 7th or 8th again

6 minutes ago, Bevohorns said:

Borba that high on the lineup is not good 😂 

Dude the guys are listed numerically by position.

8 minutes ago, Assistant Regional Manager said:

Dude the guys are listed numerically by position.

Even I knew that

12 minutes ago, Assistant Regional Manager said:

Dude the guys are listed numerically by position.

Since when is DH 9?  And well all the others.   A whole nother source of confusion.

Perfect Game Way Too Early" 2027 MLB Mock Draft: 3 Longhorns in first round.  Sam Cozart is draft eligible next year (2027).

 

Borba is an outstanding infielder but his hitting needs improvement. Too many strikeouts!

All 9 projected starters in that lineup had over 47 RBIs last season (7 guys over 50 RBIs).  With even the least bit of improvement across the line-up with an additional season of college ball, and it’s not far-fetched to think all 9 starters will have 50+ RBIs.  Pretty stout!

1 hour ago, CJ Vogel said:

How I envision the lineup to look next spring.

Need a side by side with LSU for comparison purposes