Although the first pitch for the Texas baseball season was thrown last week, things are just getting started for some former Longhorns.
Spring training for various MLB teams is underway with the league’s season set to begin March 25. Last year, six ex-Texas players appeared in a MLB game. This spring, those incumbent big leaguers — Kody Clemens, John Curtiss, Bryce Elder, David Hamilton, Hoby Milner and Chase Shugart — and a few others will be looking to earn a spot on an opening-day roster.
Here are five Longhorns to keep an eye on in spring training:
Hamilton played in 204 games with Boston from 2023-25, but he’ll now need to prove himself to a somewhat new organization. Earlier this month, Milwaukee acquired Hamilton in a trade. The trade was a full-circle moment for Hamilton, a 28-year-old infielder who was actually drafted by the Brewers in 2019. Hamilton is 57-for-68 on his attempted steals in the big leagues, but his defensive fit in Milwaukee will be a question.
Clemens, 29, has had his moments since his MLB debut in 2022. He struck out Shohei Ohtani while being used by Detroit as a garbage-time relief pitcher in 2022, and he became the 11th Minnesota Twin to record a three-homer game last season. He’s also played for three different teams. Has Clemens found a home in Minnesota? And since the Twins have him listed as a backup at four positions, can he earn an established role?
Thomas is a longshot to reach the big leagues in the immediate future since he hasn’t ascended past Double-A yet. But it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Rockies extended their 2024 second-round pick a nonroster invitation to the team’s big league camp in spring training. Last season, Thomas was labeled by MLB Pipeline as the Rockies’ hitting prospect of the year. Thomas, 22, had offseason hand surgery and didn’t play in UT’s alumni game.
One of the greatest sluggers to ever play at Texas, Melendez has become the all-time leader in home runs for the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles. But after playing in 216 Double-A games and a few Triple-A contests over the past three seasons, is it time for the 26-year-old Melendez to make a move? He will get a chance to prove himself at Arizona’s spring training as a nonroster invitee.
Since making his MLB debut in 2024, Shugart has posted a 3.52 ERA over 41 relief appearances. He’s also been traded in each of the past two Januarys. In 2025, Pittsburgh acquired Shugart from Boston. Last month, the Pirates sent Shugart across the state to Philadelphia. According to MLB.com, Shugart has minor-league options left on this contract so the 29-year-old will need to prove himself to stick around with the Phillies.