Texas’ draft-bound ace who found another gear in 2026
In the 2026 season, Riojas emerged as Texas’ workhorse ace, pairing strikeout stuff with elite control — he posted a 1.59 ERA, 64 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings, and a 0.88 WHIP by early April, then backed it up with a complete-game shutout against Oklahoma and a 100th-overall selection in the 2026 MLB Draft. He looks like a pitcher who can handle big-game pressure, miss bats, and attack the zone; the “why care” part is simple: he’s the kind of polished righty who changes weekend series, not just box scores. Strong fit for teams wanting a competitive starter with bat-missing upside and proven high-leverage poise.
