​As the Philadelphia Phillies sought to strengthen their pitching depth in the MLB Draft, they turned to a former Longhorn. With the 100th pick, Philadelphia selected Ruger Riojas, coming just seven selections after his former Texas teammate, Aiden Robbins, went off the board. Though Riojas waited some time to hear his name called, the right-hander could become a standout figure for a storied franchise.
During his final season at the Forty Acres, Riojas posted a 3.97 ERA across 17 appearances, while fanning 120 batters. The Texas native held opponents to a .235 average and delivered a personal best in innings pitched with 81.2. After a junior year filled with fluctuations, he elevated his game as the MLB Draft approached.
As Riojas demonstrated the potential to take his performance to another level, he also added to his trophy case. His impressive senior season earned him AAC All-Conference Second Team honors, a recognition that helped raise his draft stock and drew the Phillies’ attention.
In Riojas, the Phillies are acquiring a pitcher with a compelling mix of offerings. His fastball can reach up to 98 miles per hour, and his off-speed repertoire keeps hitters guessing. Opponents were most troubled by his splitter, a pitch that could remain a frontline weapon in the minors. If the Phillies help Riojas broaden his arsenal, he could evolve into an exciting prospect to monitor.
While the Longhorns did not capture a national title during Riojas’ tenure, he left the Forty Acres as a memorable figure. In two seasons donning burnt orange, he earned 15 wins and struck out 182 batters. The talented righty also posted a complete game and played a mentor role for younger arms on the staff.
With the MLB Draft now in the rear-view, the Phillies can concentrate on finalizing a deal with Riojas and guiding him toward reaching his full potential. This acquisition adds another intriguing arm to a pipeline that the organization hopes will deepen its pitching depth in the years to come.