The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Burns picked in eighth round of 2026 MLB Draft
07.12.2026 | Baseball
Right-hander becomes fourth Longhorn taken in first 230 selections
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Longhorns junior Thomas Burns was selected in the eighth round (No. 227 overall) by the Minnesota Twins in the 2026 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Sunday afternoon.
Burns became the fourth Longhorn to be picked in the draft, joining Twins' second-rounder Carson Tinney (No. 42 overall), New York Mets' third-round choice Aiden Robbins (No. 92 overall) and Philadelphia Phillies' third-round selection Ruger Riojas (No. 100 overall).
A 6-foot-3, 240-pound hard-throwing righty, Burns emerged as one of the top relievers nationally across his two seasons on The Forty Acres.
Over 42 appearances in burnt orange, he registered a 3-2 record with eight saves and a 4.59 ERA. Burns totaled 83 punchouts in 49 innings, holding opposing hitters to a .183 average.
In 2026, the Hortonville, Wis., native delivered the SEC's best strikeout percentage (min. 20 inn.) at a 42.2 mark.
With Burns anchoring Texas' bullpen, the Longhorns advanced to their NCAA-leading 39th appearance in the Men's College World Series.
Across his three-year collegiate career, he posted a 4-3 ledger with a 4.65 ERA over 79 1/3 frames. Burns played his first season at Arizona State.
