​TCU redshirt freshman Lance Davis has elected to remain with the Horned Frogs instead of entering the 2026 MLB Draft. After joining TCU from Arkansas, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-hander posted a 5-3 record, a 3.71 ERA, and logged 14 starts, two complete games, and a notable 80 innings pitched in his first season in Fort Worth. Davis struck out 51 batters while issuing 17 free passes, establishing himself as a reliable presence in TCU’s pitching staff and earning recognition as a two-time Big 12 Pitcher of the Week and a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team.
Davis’s durability was a defining attribute in 2026, as he was the only TCU pitcher to start all 14 weeks of the season, providing the Frogs with a steady rotation member across the entire year. His decision to return for the 2027 season signals a continuation of his development and gives coach Kirk Saarloos and the program one of their premier arms back in the rotation. Davis’s return also comes as part of a broader rebuilding effort for TCU’s pitching staff, which will be bolstered by the anticipated comeback of veteran right-hander Louis Rodriguez, who missed the entirety of the 2026 season while recovering from elbow surgery. Rodriguez’s return is expected to add depth and experience to the starting staff, complementing Davis’s presence on the mound.
In addition to Davis’s return, the Horned Frogs are preparing for the possible reintroduction of Kade Eudy, who led TCU in saves during the previous season but did not pitch in 2026. If Eudy returns in 2027, he would provide valuable late-inning relief versatility and help stabilize the bullpen alongside the starting rotation. Eudy’s availability would give TCU a more complete pitching corps, with Davis, Rodriguez, and Eudy forming a core of impact options for Saarloos in 2027.
From a recruiting and program-building perspective, Davis’s decision to come back to Fort Worth reflects TCU’s continued commitment to returning to its status as a national-contender program. Davis’s performance in 2026 demonstrated his potential to be a driving force in the Frogs’ rotation, and his continued development in 2027 could position him for extended professional opportunities down the line. The combination of a durable, competitive starter in Davis, the anticipated return of Rodriguez to add veteran depth, and the possible reintroduction of Eudy to fortify the bullpen positions TCU to contend for Big 12 supremacy and for postseason success in the 2027 season.
In sum, Lance Davis’s opt-out reconsideration and decision to return to TCU for 2027 have amplified the expectations for a robust Horned Frogs pitching staff. With Davis, Rodriguez, and Eudy in the mix, along with a talented supporting cast and a coaching staff with a track record of developing pitchers, TCU aims to build a formidable rotation and bullpen that can anchor the team as it pursues conference championships and postseason runs in the coming year.