Jim Schlossnagle makes bold strides in recruitment process as Texas secures SS Jalin Flores for another year
Jim Schlossnagle's Texas Longhorns will retain the services of Jalin Flores for the 2025 college baseball season. The Longhorns' star shortstop will run it back with the program in Schlossnagle's first year on the job.
This news is a major win for the program, as Flores is one of the most experienced members of their batting core. Longhorns' writer Danny Davis reported the news. Davis posted on X/Twitter:
"Texas SS Jalin Flores announces on Instagram that he will return for the 2025 baseball season. After earning all-conference honors this past season while leading Texas in RBIs and tying for the team lead in HRs, Flores was considered a top-200 prospect in the MLB Draft. #HookEm"
How has Jalin Flores performed in college?
Jalin Flores was not selected in the first two rounds of the 2024 MLB draft and decided to return to the Longhorns for one more season of collegiate baseball. Flores was widely considered a top 125 prospect in this year's class.
Flores put up admirable stats during his time with the Longhorns. The shortstop and occasional third baseman recorded 18 hits, four home runs, and 23 RBIs on a .175 batting average in 45 games played in 2023.
He then upped his productivity to 82 hits, 18 home runs, 56 RBIs, two stolen bases and a .340 batting average in 60 games played in 2024. His performances earned him draft shouts, but more was needed to get himself selected in the earlier rounds.
What to expect from Jim Schlossnagle and Jalin Flores in 2025?
Fans can expect Jim Schlossnagle to lead the Texas Longhorns to a much improved season in 2025. The Longhorns have stagnated over the years, looking like a shadow of the team that once dominated collegiate baseball. Schlossnagle was brought in to nip the decline in the bud and guide the program to a potential deep College World Series run at a minimum.
Meanwhile, Flores will likely boost his draft stock further with another year of college baseball. His productivity significantly increased in 2024, and there should be another increase in the upcoming season. It'll be interesting to see how Schlossnagle uses Flores in his first year as the Longhorns' head coach.