With the 100th pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Philadelphia Phillies have selected Texas right-handed pitcher Ruger Riojas, an experienced starter whose traits across the board give him a chance to compete at the next level.
A senior from Wimberly, Texas, Riojas shot up draft boards after an impressive final season in Austin showcased improved stuff and a more polished approach. After a junior season was cut short by bronchitis, Riojas opted to return to Texas to prove that he could return to peak
form from the beginning of the 2025 season.
This bet on himself paid dividends.
An improved fastball that reached 98 MPH along with more spin on his four, yes four, off speed pitches created an arsenal of unhittable stuff in 2026 en route to a 6-2 record and a team-leading 17 starts.
Riojas recorded 120 strikeouts and only 21 walks in 81.2 innings, an excellent strikeout rate, while holding opponents to a .235 average.
In 2026, Riojas demonstrated the stuff necessary to attack big league hitters. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and carries enough to create whiffs on both sides of the plate. His secondary pitch is a splitter that was lethal against both lefties and righties. When facing batters for a second or third time through the order, Riojas can also lean on a cutter, slider, and curveball, giving him a true five pitch arsenal.
As he moves to the big leagues, Riojas’ command and mound presence are strengths. His ability to get ahead in counts and pound the zone is well documented as is his competivness on the rubber. You don’t have to watch him pitch for very long to see that he controls the mound with aggressive confidence.
Riojas’ biggest knock is his age. He turns 23 after the draft, slotting him on the older side of this year’s draft class.
Still, Riojas is expected to move through the lower minor league ranks relatively quickly thanks to his fastball and breaking ball arsenal. It wouldn’t be a surprise to Texas fans if he climbs the ranks quickly and contributes to a major league staff sooner than most scouts anticipate.
