The 2026 Major League Baseball season has unfolded with a surprising storyline: a wave of former Texas Longhorns making notable contributions across the league. While none earned a spot in the All-Star Game, the alumni have posted a mix of power hitting and steady pitching that has caught the attention of fans and analysts alike.
All-Star Game Absence
The Mid‑Summer Classic this year featured no representatives from the Longhorn alumni network, a rarity that underscores both the depth of talent elsewhere and the competitive nature of selection committees. Still, the absence has not dampened the impact of those who have continued to prove their worth on the field.
Kody Clemens, who now patrols the outfield for the Minnesota Twins, is batting .243 with 16 home runs and 46 RBIs in 83 appearances. On the mound, Bryce Elder of the Atlanta Braves holds a 5‑6 record, a 4.12 ERA and 86 strikeouts across 18 games. David Hamilton of the Milwaukee Brewers maintains a .240 average while adding 31 runs and 18 stolen bases in 74 games.
Ty Madden, a rookie right‑hander for the Detroit Tigers, sits at 0‑0 with a 3.15 ERA and 23 strikeouts in seven outings. Hoby Milner of the Chicago Cubs has posted a 1‑0 record, a 3.53 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 38 appearances. Chase Shugart, pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies, boasts a 2‑0 record, a 4.97 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 26 games.
Draft Surge
The 2026 MLB Draft added another layer to the narrative. Carson Tinney became the first former Longhorn selected, landing with the Minnesota Twins at the 43rd overall pick. The draft also saw a cascade of selections — Aiden Robbins, Ruger Riojas, Thomas Burns, Luke Harrison, Cody Howard, Dee Kennedy, Will Gasparino and Cole Selvig — spread across five different clubs. Notably, the Oakland Athletics did not add a single Longhorn to their list, extending a franchise‑long drought that began when they last drafted Huston Street in 2004.
The collective presence of former Texas players this season illustrates a sustained pipeline from the university to the professional ranks. Their performances not only highlight individual talent but also reinforce the Longhorns’ reputation as a fertile ground for future MLB contributors.