Texas Trio Lands on Stopper of the Year Watch List: Burns, Grubbs, Higgins Recognized Among Nation’s Best
The Texas bullpen has long been a source of pride in Austin, and heading into this season, it’s clear the rest of the country is taking notice. Three Longhorns - Thomas Burns, Max Grubbs, and Cal Higgins - have been named to the preseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year Award, given annually to the top relief pitcher in college baseball.
That puts Texas in elite company. The Longhorns are one of just three SEC programs with three players on the list - a co-nation-leading mark shared with Arkansas and Tennessee. In a conference known for its power arms, that’s no small feat.
Let’s break down why each of these guys earned a spot on the radar.
Thomas Burns: Strikeout Artist in the Making
Burns made his presence felt right away in his debut season, flashing electric stuff that translated into a team-best 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings - and that’s among pitchers who logged at least 25 frames. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound righty struck out 40 batters in just 26 2/3 innings, holding opponents to a paltry .185 average.
That kind of dominance in limited action is exactly what you want to see from a young reliever with upside. His 3.71 ERA and four saves over 19 appearances don’t tell the full story - it’s the swing-and-miss stuff, the poise in tight spots, and the ability to miss barrels that make Burns a serious threat out of the pen.
Max Grubbs: The Reliable Veteran
Grubbs was a rock for Texas last season. The All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honoree delivered a 6-2 record with a 2.84 ERA and five saves in a high-leverage role.
He threw 57 innings - a heavy load for a reliever - and struck out 61 while walking just 14. That’s the kind of command and consistency that coaches love in late-game situations.
Opponents hit just .238 off the Arlington native, and he showed the kind of versatility that allows a coaching staff to deploy him in a variety of roles - whether it’s getting out of a jam in the seventh or slamming the door in the ninth. Grubbs brings experience and composure, and he’s earned every bit of the national recognition.
Cal Higgins: The Newcomer with Elite Numbers
Higgins may be new to the Forty Acres, but he’s not new to dominating hitters. The Western Kentucky transfer posted a microscopic 1.87 ERA last season - the fourth-best mark in the country among pitchers who threw at least 40 innings.
He racked up 52 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings and picked up six saves along the way. That performance earned him ABCA/Rawlings Midwest All-Region Second Team honors, and now he’s poised to make an immediate impact in the SEC. With his ability to keep hitters off balance and work efficiently, Higgins could be a key piece in Texas’ quest to control games from the bullpen.
What It Means for Texas
Having three arms on the Stopper of the Year watch list is more than just a preseason accolade - it’s a statement. It signals that Texas has depth, talent, and experience in the bullpen, which is often the difference-maker in tight conference matchups and postseason runs.
Burns brings the high-octane stuff. Grubbs offers the steady hand.
Higgins adds a proven track record from another program. Together, they give Texas a trio that can shorten games and shut down rallies - a luxury most teams would kill for.
As the season unfolds, keep an eye on these three. If the Longhorns are playing deep into June, chances are this bullpen - led by Burns, Grubbs, and Higgins - will have a lot to do with it.