OTF Premium Baseball: Strength gains are powering Texas' hot start at the plate and on the mound

[Jeff Howe]

AUSTIN, Texas — The 20 pounds of muscle Texas second baseman Ethan Mendoza added to his frame in the offseason has helped fuel his early-season power surge, which continued in Friday’s 8-1 win over Michigan State.

Entering the first game of a three-game series with the Spartans tied for the team lead with two home runs (6-for-15 at the plate with five runs scored through four games) while leading the Longhorns with seven RBI and 12 total bases, Mendoza launched his third long ball of the young season in the bottom of the second. The two-run opposite-field shot was one of three home runs Texas (5-0) pounded out in front of 7,808 fans at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, highlighting Mendoza's 3-for-4 night at the plate with a double, two runs scored and two RBI.

“I just try to recommit every AB,” Mendoza said after recording a multi-hit game for the third time in five games. “It's really not like a hot streak or anything like that. I just take it one pitch at a time. If you have that mentality, I feel like you can do some pretty good things.”

Although he slugged four home runs in his first 34 at-bats after transferring from Arizona State for the 2025 season, Mendoza tallied just one dinger the rest of the way. The difference in Mendoza's three home runs in his first 20 at-bats in 2026 is that the additional pop in the junior’s bat appears to be a sustainable source Texas can count on at the top of the order.

“It's more true power this year,” coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “I think last year, he hit some balls that got up in the wind when we had those early-season (games) like we'll have tomorrow — it's kind of a north wind that cuts across the field and the ball goes out to right (field).”

Mendoza's ability to go the other way for his home run and use the whole field is part of what makes him the offensive catalyst in the leadoff spot. With the influx of talent the Longhorns brought in from the transfer portal, Schlossnagle said he’s told professional scouts that he can’t remember a time in his coaching career when he’s had three right-handed hitters who can hit to all fields the way Mendoza, catcher Carson Tinney and center fielder Aiden Robbins can.

With switch-hitting shortstop Adrian Rodriguez, who went 2-for-5 with two doubles in Friday’s win, “taking a jump from the right side of the plate,” according to Schlossnagle, Texas has the potential to get on base and drive in runs in multiple ways.

“I think those are the four guys,” Schlossnagle said. “You see why guys hit for a high average when they’re able to use the whole field.”

***

A late-season sickness derailed Ruger Riojas’ first season in a Longhorn uniform. Determined to return to the mound and be someone Schlossnagle and pitching coach Max Weiner can count on from start to finish in 2026, Riojas looks like a different pitcher through his first two Friday starts.

Riojas mowed down Michigan State (2-2) to the tune of a career-high 10 strikeouts. Scattering three hits and one walk over six innings against the Spartans, Riojas has fired 19 strikeouts against two walks while allowing six hits and two earned runs through 11 innings of work.

“I feel stronger. I look a lot better,” Riojas said after picking up his second win in as many starts. “I look at myself in the mirror and I don't look like I'm a buck fifty anymore. Seeing the work I've put in at the TANC and the weight room is definitely paying off.”

The staff wants to keep the 195-pound Riojas’ weight up and “keep him strong,” Schlossnagle said. While Riojas’ 97 mph fastball is the most noticeable sign of the strength gains he’s made, his seven-pitch repertoire allows him to toe the rubber confident that he can execute any pitch Weiner calls at any point in the game.

“I think Ruger's beauty is that he can pitch in a variety of ways,” Schlossnagle said. “Tonight, he used his fastball a little more. That's a team that they like to swing and they don't swing and miss a ton, especially the guys at the top.”

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[Thailand T Sip]

Thanks Jeff! It's early, but Mendoza & Riojas seem to be exhibits A&B for the team's off season training & weight room work. Five games is a poor sample size, but I get the feeling that you will be discussing many of the players on the roster in the same light as these two.

[Califashorn75]

I noticed how our players are all built. They look strong and obviously that translates to the field. It's going to be another great year. 

[PaulieD]

5 hours ago, Thailand T Sip said:

Thanks Jeff! It's early, but Mendoza & Riojas seem to be exhibits A&B for the team's off season training & weight room work. Five games is a poor sample size, but I get the feeling that you will be discussing many of the players on the roster in the same light as these two.

- and they aren't alone; our freshman phenom Pack continues to amaze, Borba is great, and - how about that stab and throw by A Rod behind 2nd base???

[Okcool]

No mention of Anthony Pack Jr. and his .587 avg and 1st dinger last night? That kid is a stud and going to be special. 

[Jeff Howe]

16 minutes ago, Okcool said:

No mention of Anthony Pack Jr. and his .587 avg and 1st dinger last night? That kid is a stud and going to be special. 

The best thing he did last night was drawing a walk to set the table for Mendoza’s home run.

[WRNC]

23 minutes ago, Okcool said:

No mention of Anthony Pack Jr. and his .587 avg and 1st dinger last night? That kid is a stud and going to be special. 

Anthony Pack Jr. committed to a rigorous training regimen in offseason, often starting his day with gym sessions as early as 5:00 AM to build the explosive power necessary for college-level ball. He increased his weight to 190 lbs, up from roughly 160 lbs during his junior year of high school. This densely muscled frame has directly translated to higher exit velocities and explosive bat speed.

[Red Five]

11 minutes ago, WRNC said:

He increased his weight to 190 lbs, up from roughly 160 lbs during his junior year of high school.

I did the exact same thing at his age. I was able to accomplish this with a lot of beer, hamburgers, and mexican food.

[Jeff Howe]

Based on the early returns, Matt Couch has the inside track to be Team MVP.

[Alex Butler]

So cool to see how these guys have bought in and how quickly Schloss has elevated the program from a decent place with Pierce to elite in 1+ season. I was actually a Pierce fan. I had a chance to interview and spend time with him when I was a grad student and I was really impressed with him and his approach. 

[CJ Vogel]

1 hour ago, WRNC said:

Anthony Pack Jr. committed to a rigorous training regimen in offseason, often starting his day with gym sessions as early as 5:00 AM to build the explosive power necessary for college-level ball. He increased his weight to 190 lbs, up from roughly 160 lbs during his junior year of high school. This densely muscled frame has directly translated to higher exit velocities and explosive bat speed.

This is fantastic stuff

[Jerry K]

Ruger is definitely stronger this year. Last night his 80th pitch was at 95. 
 

It’s early in the season but so far Borba has done well as first in my opinion. He’s talented and also stronger this season but his baseball IQ has gotten a lot better. He saved an inning ending double play on a dribbler back to the pitcher early in the game last night by intentionally distracting the pitcher and getting caught in a run down between 3rd and home so guys behind him could advance. That was a heads up play that Schloss was no doubt happy with. 
 

So good to see Pack get his first hr of the young season last night. I’ve said it many times already but he has a real chance to be special.