Cal Higgins Signs with Phillies After Undrafted Stint

Western Kentucky Roots and Rapid Rise

Cal Higgins built his college pitching résumé at Western Kentucky before moving to Texas. As a sophomore he posted a 3.18 ERA, earning a solid foothold in the NCAA ranks. The following year, his ERA dropped to 1.87 across 22 appearances, accompanied by 52 strikeouts and six saves in high‑leverage relief roles.

Transfer Year at Texas and Key Stats

Higgins transferred to the University of Texas for the 2026 season, where he logged 11.1 innings with a 5.56 ERA. He recorded 16 strikeouts and earned a lone victory, though he struggled to limit hard‑hit balls. Even with the modest numbers, his prior college performance kept him in the sights of professional scouts.

Philadelphia Signs a Former Longhorn

Less than 24 hours after going undrafted, Higgins inked a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday. The Phillies, who selected former Longhorn ace Ruger Riojas with the 100th overall pick, now have Higgins as a teammate from that same college pipeline. Having a familiar face aboard should ease his transition into the MLB system.

Circling Back to a Strong Longhorns Class

Other Texas alums who have signed or been drafted include Carson Tinney, Aiden Robbins, Thomas Burns, Luke Harrison, and Cody Howard. Higgins joins that group, adding depth to the conference’s recent professional pipeline. The flurry of moves has added to the excitement surrounding the program’s baseball future.

Looking Ahead at the Phillies’ Future

Higgins now aims to prove he can contribute to Philadelphia’s long‑term plans, targeting a path to the majors. His blend of strikeouts and experience in both relief and starting roles offers the Phillies versatile options. As the organization continues to build, Higgins’ development will be watched closely by fans and staff alike.