Texas’ Ivan Melendez wins the 35th Dick Howser Trophy

Melendez becomes the fourth Longhorn to win the prestigious award presented to the best player in college baseball.

Texas first baseman Ivan Melendez is going to need more space in his trophy room before the season comes to an end. After already taking home Big 12 Player of the Year and plenty of All-American honors, the Texas slugger continues to be recognized for his monster season.

Melendez has been named winner of the 35th annual Dick Howser Trophy, presented to the best player in college baseball.

The “Hispanic Titanic” is hitting .396 with the nation’s best 32 home runs and 94 RBI. He provided excellent defense at first base after strictly playing the designated hitter role in 2021.

Melendez becomes the fourth Longhorn to win the prestigious award along with Taylor Jumngman (2011), Brooks Kieschnick (1992-93) and Scott Bryant (1989). No other program has more than three all-time winners.

Texas is off to the 2022 College World Series for the second straight season with the help of Melendez’s play. The Horns open their trip to Omaha with a matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Friday night.

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Former Longhorns’ pitcher Taylor Jungmann Invited To Minor League Camp

The Texas Rangers have added former Longhorns pitcher Taylor Jungmann to their minor league roster ahead of Spring Training.

The Texas Rangers have added former Longhorns hurler Taylor Jungmann on a minor league contract and will report to minor league camp according to Dallas Morning News writer Evan Grant. Jungmann last pitched for the Longhorns in 2011 when he was selected 12th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Jungmann reached the Major Leagues by 2015. During his rookie year, he became the first Brewers’ pitcher to throw a complete game at Dodgers Stadium in their history. That year Jungman posted a 3.77 ERA in 21 starts. He struck out 107 batters in 119.1 innings for the brew crew. Over the next two seasons he would pitch in only nine games and would eventually head to Japan to continue his professional career.

Jungmann played the last two seasons for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan where he posted a 4.86 ERA with 53 strikeouts. His record through the 2019 season ended at 6-5. He will be looking to revive his Major League Baseball career with the Texas Rangers and regain that rookie season magic. He will have to work his way back up through their farm system.

At Texas, Jungmann was quite the pitcher for the Longhorns. He posted a 32-9 win-loss record, 1.85 ERA with 356 strikeouts. In his final year in Austin, Jungmann won the Dick Howser Trophy which is awarded to the nation’s top collegiate baseball player. He was part of the 2009 College World Series runner-up team and part of the 2011 team that qualified for the CWS.