A Strategic Addition
Texas Longhorns baseball is looking to reinforce its relief pitching staff ahead of the 2027 campaign, and the answer arrived in the form of a towering right‑hander from Middle Tennessee State.
Gavin King, a 6‑foot‑7, 210‑pound pitcher, completed his transfer to the University of Texas this offseason, bringing a blend of size and raw talent that the coaching staff believes can be honed into a reliable late‑inning option.
In his most recent collegiate season, King logged 42 innings across 19 appearances, striking out 59 batters while posting a 6.00 earned‑run average and walking 32 hitters. Those numbers reflect both his strikeout potential and the control issues that have limited his consistency.
Before arriving in Austin, King spent a freshman year at Volunteer State Community College, where he made just four mound appearances, a brief stint that preceded his development at Middle Tennessee State.
Coach Max Weiner, now in his second year leading the Longhorns' pitching staff, has a track record of extracting breakout performances from under‑the‑radar arms. Under his guidance, right‑hander Ruger Riojas and left‑hander Dylan Volantis surged into prominence, suggesting that King could follow a similar trajectory.
The move comes at a time when Texas' bullpen faces uncertainty. Sam Cozart, the recent Stopper of the Year Award winner, is slated to transition into the starting rotation next season, while right‑hander Thomas Burns and left‑hander Haiden Leffew are both contemplating entry into the MLB draft, leaving a void in depth.
Despite the departures, the program’s recent statistical progress offers optimism. In 2026, Texas posted a 3.98 team ERA, ranking tenth nationally, a marked improvement from the 4.91 ERA they carried before Weiner’s arrival in 2025.
The roster also welcomes additional portal transfers, including infielder Linkin Garcia, catcher Ian Armstrong, and outfielders Trevor Goldenetz and Sawyer Solitaria, adding versatility and depth to position players.
If the coaching staff can successfully integrate King’s raw talent with their developmental philosophy, the Longhorns may well turn a promising arm into a cornerstone of a bullpen that aims to sustain competitiveness in the highly contested Big 12 conference.