While describing the standards and expectations within the Texas baseball program this offseason, returning players kept it simple for the team’s 24 newcomers.
“Texas is like the New York Yankees of college baseball,” sophomore Adrian Rodriguez explained.
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Rodriguez grew up as a Blue Jays fan, so that Yankees comparison must have been tough to mutter. But an analogy is an analogy.
Texas Longhorns infielder Adrian Rodriguez (24) and catcher Carson Tinney (8) celebrate a score during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
And if we are going to stretch this comparison out, the shortstop position comes into focus. From Hall of Famer Derek Jeter to current Texas assistant coach Troy Tulowitzki, shortstops of significance have suited up for the Yankees over the past two decades.
Texas Longhonrs infielder Adrian Rodriguez (24) catches the ball at second during the NCAA D1 Baseball Tournament Regional against UTSA at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Saturday, May 31, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez / American Statesman
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Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle has often said that there’s never been a good baseball team with a bad catcher and a bad shortstop. So if Texas is to win this season, Rodriguez will need to be a good shortstop.
NO. 3 TEXAS VS. MICHIGAN STATE
When/where:Â 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, noon Sunday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
TV/radio: SEC Network+; 1300 AM.
“(He’s) a really special dude,” UT second baseman Ethan Mendoza said. “He just puts in the work. And whatever happens out there, it’s all right because he’s putting in the work. He’s just a grinder for us.”
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Adrian Rodriguez is now healthy, thinner and at shortstop
With Jalin Flores entrenched as Texas’ shortstop last season, Rodriguez was deployed more as a utility player. He started 14 times at second base, 13 times at third and eight times in the outfield. He also was used as UT’s designated hitter in 14 games. Rodriguez ranked among the team leaders in batting average (.313), doubles (14) and stolen bases (15). That was despite an issue with his left hand that prevented him from being able to switch-hit for much of his freshman year.
Texas Longhorns infielder Adrian Rodriguez (24) throws the ball to first during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
During the offseason, Rodriguez went to Los Angeles for hand surgery performed by famed orthopaedic surgeon Steven Shin. That led to a lengthy rehab that left the start of his season in doubt. That down time wasn’t a waste of time, though. While recovering, Rodriguez said he was able to learn a lot by watching his teammates and working with Tulowitzki and athletic trainer Sam Garcia.
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“My rehab process, it was quite long,” he said. “I got to watch a lot, so I definitely got better just from watching rather than just hitting. Most parts of my game that I maybe didn’t have last year, I definitely got better this year because of it.”
Noted Schlossnagle: “I think what Adrian is learning is that he’s such a good player. He just needs the right amount of work to be ready to play. Young players, sometimes they think, ‘If they tell me 10 reps is good, then 210 must be better,’ and 210 usually is not better. I’d rather have to pull players back than have to jumpstart them — those guys aren’t any fun. But Adrian’s a guy we have to say, ‘That’s enough.’
“Sometimes he listens, sometimes he doesn’t, but he’s in a better space now, and I think he’s only going to be better moving forward.”
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Rodriguez opened the season with singles in his first two at-bats, and he hit .333 over the course of the three-game sweep of UC Davis. He then gathered another hit in Tuesday’s takedown of Lamar. Back to switching hitting, Rodriguez has gone 4-for-10 with two walks from the left side of the plate. He’s just 1-for-6 as a right-handed bat, though that one hit was a three-run double against UC Davis on Sunday.
Rodriguez also lost weight this offseason since he felt it would be tougher to move at shortstop at the 210 pounds he was listed at last season. Defensively, he has recorded six assists and helped turn two double plays as the Longhorns’ new shortstop. He has committed one error.
Texas Longhorns head coach Jim Schlossnagle talks to officials ahead of the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas will attempt to fend off Michigan State’s upset bid this weekend
With Rodriguez, who’s considered to be one of the top prospects in the 2027 MLB draft class, batting second in the lineup, Texas has produced a .341 batting average so far. The Longhorns are averaging 10.3 runs and the team has ended two of its games in run-ruled fashion.
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Texas (4-0) welcome Michigan State to UFCU Disch-Falk Field this weekend. A Big Ten team that last made the NCAA Tournament in 2012, the Spartans surprised many last week when they took a series off then-No. 8 Louisville.
“We always try to play the game and play to a standard versus the opponent,” Schlossnagle said. “But at least as a coach, you have to take the opponent into account and what they do well. We have our hands full this weekend and so will they.”
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