Texas got one more hit to the roster just before the college baseball transfer portal window shuts for the summer.
Ashton Larson, the first baseman who handled the stretch run of the Longhorns’ 2026 season, is entering the portal, a source confirmed to Horns247. That makes him the 10th Texas player to jump in, and among that group he was the most productive piece of the 2026 team.
Larson’s lone season in Austin came with some real value attached. He hit .258, but his .433 on-base percentage gave Texas a steady presence in the lineup. After beginning as a designated hitter and outfielder, he was pushed into first base when injuries hit Adrian Rodriguez and Ethan Mendoza, and he handled the spot well enough to become a reliable option there.
The junior finished with a .769 OPS and 16 RBIs. He also logged one home run and seven doubles in 56 games.
At the same time, Larson’s game came with clear limitations. Leg injuries from his LSU days hurt his mobility, sapping his speed on the bases and limiting what he could do in the outfield. That left him best suited for first base or designated hitter, but his bat fit awkwardly in those roles because they usually demand more power.
That’s part of why Larson looked positioned as a bench piece for Texas heading into 2027. Casey Borba said Friday that he intends to return next season, and he’s expected to be the first baseman. In the outfield, Texas has already added Long Beach State transfer Trevor Goldenetz and Kent State transfer Sawyer Solitaria to help replace Aiden Robbins and Dariyan Pendergrass.
Goldenetz arrives after hitting .370 as a freshman for the Dirtbags, though he did not show much power. Solitaria brings a different profile after slugging 16 home runs for the Golden Flashes last season and posting some of the best exit velocity numbers in the country. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, he likely fits best as a corner outfielder.
Texas is still working the portal for more help on the mound and at the plate, which left Larson’s place in the picture less certain.
There’s also a personal connection in the mix. Larson has a close relationship with former Texas assistant coach Nolan Cain, who left earlier this month for Texas A&M.
Cain recruited Larson, a Kansas native, to LSU before joining Jim Schlossnagle’s staff in College Station. Larson played 86 games for the Tigers and hit .910 OPS in 33 games for LSU before his injury in 2025.
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