Baseball: Texas adds elite INF Jake Welch to 2028 class

[Jeff Howe]

Jake Welch, a shortstop from Lehi, Utah, became the sixth member of Jim Schlossnagle's 2028 recruiting class on Sunday. The Longhorns are off to a red-hot start in the 2028 cycle.

2028 Baseball Commits

Theo Swafford, INF, Ventura, Calif./Sierra Canyon

Chase Cotton, RHP, Whitney, Calif./Lincoln

Tommy Driver, RHP, Malta, NY/Ballston Spa Senior

Parker Klug, RHP, Morristown, NJ/Delbarton

Colton Small, LHP, Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Eastern

Jake Welch, INF, Lehi, Utah

 

[mmdaytontexas]

To bad we can't pay them what they get in this signing bonuses. Is it against the rules to work out a deal with MLB teams that draft then to pay there signing bonuses as NIL donations and let Texas develop them as opposed to them languishing in the minors? 🤔😁

[Jeff Howe]

1 hour ago, mmdaytontexas said:

To bad we can't pay them what they get in this signing bonuses. Is it against the rules to work out a deal with MLB teams that draft then to pay there signing bonuses as NIL donations and let Texas develop them as opposed to them languishing in the minors? 🤔😁

That's not a thing, unfortunately.

What we don't know is how the 2028 class will be impacted by the CBA, whenever it's agreed to and ratified. This is a cycle where it's worth it to roll the dice on high-end recruits who might not have a path to professional baseball right out of high school.

[UTexas]

2 hours ago, Jeff Howe said:

Jake Welch, a shortstop from Lehi, Utah, became the sixth member of Jim Schlossnagle's 2028 recruiting class on Sunday. The Longhorns are off to a red-hot start in the 2028 cycle.

2028 Baseball Commits

Theo Swafford, INF, Ventura, Calif./Sierra Canyon

Chase Cotton, RHP, Whitney, Calif./Lincoln

Tommy Driver, RHP, Malta, NY/Ballston Spa Senior

Parker Klug, RHP, Morristown, NJ/Delbarton

Colton Small, LHP, Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Eastern

Jake Welch, INF, Lehi, Utah

 

Is Swafford a shortstop as well?

[Jester101]

Hard to get excited for these top commits when you know a majority of them will go in the MLB draft.

[rlluca]

Not one of the commits is from Texas. How times have changed!!

[CJ Vogel]

Heck of a weekend for Schloss and Co.

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

What’s the highest ranked kid to actually ever play for us? Dillon Gee?  Can’t think of any top 50 ranked players otherwise. Until the rules change signing these top 50 guys seems to be an exercise in futility unless you are lsu 

[UTexas]

 

[AusMOJO]

This might be a stupid question for you guys but of the commits how many do you think project well for the draft? Is there anyone you're looking at here and going "oh he's way too good, he'll be drafted". 

[WRNC]

 

"Small" is massive: 6-foot-10, 215-pound 

"Driver" is stepping on the gas: 95–96 mph 

"Parker" has no brakes: heat up to 96 mph

[Jeff Howe]

On 9/21/2026 at 6:33 AM, AusMOJO said:

This might be a stupid question for you guys but of the commits how many do you think project well for the draft? Is there anyone you're looking at here and going "oh he's way too good, he'll be drafted". 

To me, nothing matters until the new CBA is agreed upon and ratified. If there’s ever a cycle to actually let yourself get excited about big-time baseball recruits, it’s 2028.

[Bevohorns]

On 9/20/2026 at 5:53 PM, Jester101 said:

Hard to get excited for these top commits when you know a majority of them will go in the MLB draft.

This!!! I couldn't care less who commits rn in baseball😂