In just his freshman season, Dylan Volantis has emerged as Texas baseball’s premier closer and is on a steadfast track to become the next great Longhorn pitcher.
After the Athletics selected him in the 19th round of the 2024 MLB Draft, Volantis turned down his professional contract and flipped his commitment from Southern California to Texas. Volantis broke out in his first collegiate season, earning conference and national honors.
This week, Volantis won his most prestigious award yet, collecting his third award from the National College Baseball Writers Association. Volantis was voted the National Freshman Pitcher of the Year, joining former Longhorn pitcher and current MLB free agent Corey Knebel, who earned the honor in 2011.
Last month, Volantis was named one of three relief pitchers to the Southeastern Conference first team and earned SEC Freshman of the Year. He beat out notable performers for the honor, such as the Preseason SEC Freshman of the Year, LSU outfielder Derek Curiel.
Along with collecting conference honors, Volantis earned national recognition with selections to Perfect Game’s Freshman All-American and NCBWA Freshman All-American teams.
The pitcher’s name is found on more than just freshman award lists. Volantis was tabbed to two first teams, earning mentions in the ABCA/Rawlings All-America and NCBWA All-American first teams, respectively.
Additionally, Volantis was named a finalist for both National Stopper of the Year, given to the best relief pitcher in college baseball, and National Pitcher of the Year. He also made it as a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, college baseball’s “Heisman Trophy.”
As a strikeout throwing machine, Volantis ended the year with a record of 4–1, placing 10th in the nation with 12 saves. He broke an SEC record for freshman pitchers with 11 saves in conference play, which had previously stood for 22 years.
In 51 innings pitched this year for Texas, Volantis was a true momentum stopper while out on the mound, allowing only 11 earned runs and 33 hits overall to close his true-freshman season.
Despite Texas’ pitching struggles late in this season, Volantis was one of the few bright spots in the bullpen and a reliable force for the Longhorns in their 2025 SEC regular season championship campaign.
With two years before he is eligible for the MLB Draft again, Volantis will be a major asset to head coach Jim Schlossnagle’s future Texas teams as the program searches for its first national title in over two decades.
