Ethan Mendoza Embracing Bigger Role - And Bigger Body - as Texas Baseball Reloads, Not Rebuilds
Ethan Mendoza is back atop the Texas Longhorns’ lineup - and he’s not just leading off on the field.
The junior second baseman was the first player to meet with the media this week as the Longhorns kicked off their preseason preparations. And while Texas enters 2026 with several new faces after losing key contributors, Mendoza made it clear where this program stands.
“We don’t rebuild here,” he said. Simple.
Direct. And exactly the kind of mindset you want from one of your veterans.
Mendoza has earned the right to speak with that kind of confidence. After transferring in from Arizona State, he wasted no time making an impact in Austin.
Even while battling a shoulder injury that limited him to designated hitter duties at times, Mendoza led the team in batting average (.333), triples (4), and stolen bases (15). He crossed the plate 53 times and drove in 35 runs, all while playing his way onto the SEC’s all-defensive team.
Now healthy and hungry, Mendoza spent the offseason focused on getting stronger and faster - and the results are showing. He’s added between 15 and 20 pounds to his frame, now checking in at 200 pounds after playing last season at 183. He credits the transformation to a full buy-in with Texas’ athletic performance coach Matt Couch, more time in the weight room, increased running, and yes - a TikTok-fueled meal prep plan.
His go-to? “This breakfast bowl kind of thing,” Mendoza said.
“Sausage, hash browns, cheese, potatoes, eggs. I just had that every morning.”
The added strength is already translating at the plate. Mendoza said his exit velocity is up, and more importantly, he just feels better overall - physically and mentally. Teammates have taken notice too.
“We made a couple jokes because [sophomore infielder Adrian Rodriguez] got skinny and Doza gained some weight,” junior Casey Borba said. “So we said that A-Rod gave all his weight to Doza.
He looks good, though. He’s ready to go.”
Pitching Picture: Harrison Locked In, Others Battling
With the season opener against UC Davis just three weeks away, head coach Jim Schlossnagle offered one certainty regarding the starting rotation: Luke Harrison is in.
“Luke’s for sure,” Schlossnagle said. “Barring injury, there’s nothing he can do to not be in it. Everybody else is competing for it.”
Harrison, a fifth-year lefty, is coming off a strong 2025 campaign where he went 5-1 with a 3.06 ERA across 15 starts. He’s the anchor of a rotation that still has a few question marks but no shortage of options.
Veterans Ruger Riojas and Max Grubbs are in the mix, along with sophomore arms Dylan Volantis and Jason Flores. Freshmen Sam Cozart and Michael Winter are also pushing for innings.
Grubbs started weekends in 2024 before shifting to a bullpen role last season. Riojas and Flores combined for 15 starts last year.
Volantis, meanwhile, was a dominant closer in 2025 and earned All-American honors. A move to the rotation seems like the natural next step - and he’s embracing whatever comes.
“I’m not a starter or a closer. I’m a Longhorn,” Volantis said. “Whatever the coaches need, whatever the players need, I’m there for that.”
Dual-Sport Dilemma: Jonah Williams Balancing Football and Baseball
One of the more intriguing storylines this spring involves Jonah Williams, the two-sport standout who’s juggling his responsibilities as both a Texas outfielder and a safety on the football team.
Last year, Williams leaned heavily toward baseball, enrolling early and playing in 20 games as a freshman while hitting .327. He didn’t participate in spring football drills, aside from a few meetings. But that balance may shift in 2026.
Schlossnagle said he and football head coach Steve Sarkisian have yet to finalize a plan for Williams’ spring workload, but he expects football to have a bigger pull this time around.
“I would anticipate as Jonah becomes more of a priority on the defense in football, that they’re going to want him around more,” Schlossnagle said. “And that’s OK. That’s part of the deal.”
Schlossnagle has worked with multi-sport athletes before and isn’t worried about managing the logistics - or the expectations.
“If anybody can handle that, Jonah can do that,” he said.
For now, Williams is still ramping up after a football season that ended on Dec. 31. He’s not yet taking live offensive reps in intrasquad games but is expected to be fully game-ready within a week.
That’ll be key, as the Longhorns are looking to fill out an outfield that lost Will Gasparino (UCLA) and Tommy Farmer IV (UC Irvine) to the transfer portal, and Max Belyeu to the MLB draft.
Injury Notes: Rodriguez on the Mend
The only other name on Schlossnagle’s injury update was Adrian Rodriguez, who’s working his way back from hand surgery. Rodriguez, a candidate to start at shortstop, isn’t swinging the bat just yet but is expected to resume hitting in the next week or two.
So while Texas may have some new faces and a few rotation battles to settle, don’t mistake this for a rebuild. With Mendoza setting the tone, Harrison anchoring the staff, and a deep pool of arms and athletes ready to step up, the Longhorns are reloading - and they’re not shy about it.