BREAKING: Texas lands top-ranked outfield out of transfer portal.

Texas baseball has just made a headline-grabbing splash: the Longhorns added Jack Moroknek, a top-ranked outfielder from the transfer portal. At 6‑foot‑3 with two seasons of eligibility left, Moroknek arrives from Butler after an outstanding 2025 season in the Big East—where he slashed .372/.702/.1.145, hit 18 home runs, tallied 232 strikeouts… sorry, RBI—and earned second‑team All‑Conference honors . This move marks the Longhorns’ second portal acquisition after Wichita State infielder Josh Livingston, signaling a clear, ambitious strategy under new coach Jim Schlossnagle to reload on impact talent.

Moroknek isn’t just another name in the portal; he’s a bona fide difference-maker. His offensive profile—third in batting average, slugging, and OPS in the Big East—is that of a middle-of-the-order bat. Standing tall, with solid speed and durability, he played almost every game in 2025 (53 of 54), showing consistency and reliability .

Critics noted his pedigree: projected as a 6th–10th round MLB draft pick, he staffs pro promise . For Texas, which lost both starting outfielders Donovan Jordan and Tommy Farmer IV to the portal recently, Moroknek replaces big shoes to fill. Farmer, a two-year starter, hit .249/.339/.512 with 25 RBIs and 65 strikeouts over two seasons . Jordan, a redshirt freshman, also departed with four years of eligibility left .

But where Farmer and Jordan struggled to find consistent contact against SEC pitching, Moroknek brings high-end run production and slash rate—skills Texas sorely needs. His arrival gives Schlossnagle immediate lineup depth and balances the offense after a season-ending regional skid.

Texas’s aggressive portal recruitment isn’t isolated. Across college sports, UT is ranked top‑5 in portal classes according to 247Sports for football, and on3 ranks their portal class No. 22 overall with room to climb . Coach Sarkisian, across sports, has emphasized quality impact players rather than volume .

In baseball, Schlossnagle carried over his Texas A&M pedigree: he secured transfers like LSU’s Aiden Moffett, Penn’s Eli Trop, ULM’s Easton Winfield last summer—and now Moroknek and Livingston . Such targeted additions build competitive edge through experienced talent.

This reflects a shift: Texas no longer just recruits and develops; it actively trades talent in and out to maximize readiness and fit. The Longhorns lost solid everyday contributors in Farmer and Jordan, but those departures free up roster space and playing time—creating demand for players like Moroknek who can deliver on day one.

In other sports, UT’s growth parallels these tactics: Sarkisian’s football class acquired elite WR Isaiah Bond, TE Jack Endries, safety Andrew Mukuba, among others, pushing Texas into the national portal top five . Now, baseball is following suit.

Replacing Farmer and Jordan requires more than replacing positions—it demands outperforming them. Farmer was valued mainly for fielding and speed, but his .249 average and limited power weren’t enough to sustain a high-octane SEC offense . Jordan never saw game action, but his potential didn’t match portal momentum.

Moroknek flips that. He’s not just a bat-first player—his slugging percentage (.702) and OPS (1.145) reveal power and patience. He’ll likely slot into a corner outfield role with run-producing expectations, slotting behind rising freshman Adrian Rodriguez and two-sport star Jonah Williams . His role: stabilize the lineup, challenge double-digit pitching, and produce in clutch situations.

Moroknek brings two seasons of collegiate experience, tournament toughness, and off-field maturity. He was one of Butler’s primary leadoff and cleanup bats. Texas benefits from adding a veteran who can mentor younger players.

Having lived both redshirt and major-role seasons, he understands pacing: when to take pitchers deep, when to work counts. Texas’s coaching staff highlights character and culture fit as key—Moroknek juice fits well. His size and presence add intangible value in the clubhouse, echoing Schlossnagle’s desire for “players who compete and elevate those around them.”

Fans have responded positively. One Inside Texas commenter singled out Moroknek as a “pure bat” plug-in. Meanwhile, some caution: SEC pitching is a higher level, but that’s exactly why Texas needed a bat with proven contact and power.

Portal pundits call this “targeted excellence”—not just plugging holes, but upgrading them.

Moroknek’s addition isn’t the end—it’s the beginning. Texas now boasts:

• Power: Adding 18 home runs gives Texas corner pop.
• Consistency: .372 average signals elite strike-zone command.
• Experience: He’s been there—midweek series, road clashes, pressure moments.

The biggest test will be integration: how does he adapt to SEC arms? Can he handle shift-heavy defenses and elite strikeout pressure? Can he round third and score consistently in tight ballgames?

Catching onto Schlossnagle’s offensive philosophy is key. A coach who prioritizes situational hitting will look to Moroknek for timely RBI, double-play avoidance, and clutch pinch-hit scenarios.

With Moroknek joining Livingston and returning talent, expectations rise. Schlossnagle’s second year in the SEC will be judged through both conference standing and postseason depth.

Texas won the SEC regular season the last season under new leadership ; now the goal is sustaining dominance. Scoring consistency across innings requires a deeper bench. Moroknek offers that.

He also strengthens depth chart beyond Rodriguez and Williams. Next summer, with MLB draft decisions looming on juniors and seniors, having seasoned transfers ensures roster continuity.

Jack Moroknek’s arrival marks a bold Texas message: the Longhorns aren’t resting—they’re reloading. In 2025’s Big East, he’s outperformed many SEC transfers. His bat and track record slot into Texas’s ambitious rebuild.

Losing Farmer and Jordan was concerning—but the portal is cyclical. What’s critical is Texas’s ability to replace productivity with upgraded talent. Moroknek does just that.

If he delivers as expected—adds 15+ homers, .350+ average, solid defense—Texas won’t just have filled holes—they’ll have upgraded a lineup to contend deep into the SEC season and postseason.

This transfer is more than a roster move; it’s a statement: Texas is playing a new game—big-budget portal strategy aimed at power, consistency, and postseason resilience.