The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 3 Baseball quartet named to Baseball America's preseason national awards watch lists
02.03.2026 | Baseball
Texas is the SEC program with co-nation’s best four honorees
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Longhorns standouts Aiden Robbins, Dylan Volantis, Brett Crossland and Michael Winter earned spots on Baseball America's first-ever preseason national awards watch lists, the outlet announced Tuesday morning.
Robbins was named to the preseason watch list for the College Player of the Year Award and Volantis was tabbed as one to watch for the College Pitcher of the Year Award.
Meanwhile, Crossland and Winter were among the 20 rookies selected to the Freshman of the Year Award watch list.
As a sophomore at Seton Hall in 2025, Robbins finished fifth nationally in on-base percentage (.537) and sixth in average (.422).
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound outfielder led the Pirates in average, runs (63), hits (86), doubles (19), total bases (133), walks (44), on-base percentage, slugging (.652), stolen bases (20) and multi-hit games (26).
Robbins garnered ABCA/Rawlings East All-Region Second Team plaudits and All-Big East First Team distinction a year ago.
A consensus All-American in his debut campaign, Volantis paced all freshmen nationally in WHIP (0.88) and saves (12). Among Division I rookies, the 2025 Baseball America National Freshman of the Year also ranked second in ERA (1.94) and B/AVG (.185).
Volantis' 11 saves in league action were the most by an SEC freshman ever, breaking a 22-year-old record held by Ole Miss' Steven Head.
The NCBWA Pitcher of the Year and SEC Pitcher of the Year tied for the 10th-most saves in the country.
As a senior at Corona del Sol High School in Phoenix, Crossland collected 2025 MaxPreps Arizona Pitcher of the Year honors.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound right-hander tallied a 9-2 mark with a 2.09 ERA, tossing three no-hitters.
Crossland guided the Aztecs to their first state title in 16 years.
A native of Prairie Village, Kan., Winter was tabbed the Prep Baseball Kansas Player of the Year and Kansas 6A Pitcher of the Year following his standout senior season.
The 6-foot-5, 240-pound right-handed hurler posted a 7-0 ledger with a 0.11 ERA, totaling 100 strikeouts and four walks over 62 2/3 innings.
Winter was also selected to the 2025 ABCA/Rawlings High School All-America First Team.
Texas opens its 2026 campaign against UC Davis on Feb. 13. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
