After returning from Omaha, the Texas Longhorns quickly addressed a major need through the NCAA transfer portal by landing a commitment from former Saint Mary’s Gaels catcher Ian Armstrong on Saturday.
The 6’2 standout has two seasons of eligibility remaining, but is considered the No. 30 prospect in the 2027 MLB Draft by OverSlot.
A San Mateo (Calif.) Junipero Serra product, Armstrong signed with Saint Mary’s out of high school and immediately stepped in as the starting catcher for the Gaels, slashing .364/.402/.576 with 55 hits, 11 doubles, three triples, five home runs, and 40 RBI in 2024, including setting the WCC Tournament record with five hits against Gonzaga.
Armstrong was even better as a sophomore, leading the WCC with 16 home runs batting .351 with a .416 on-base percentage, a .654 slugging percentage, and a 1.070 OPS. The first-team All-WCC selection notched 80 hits with 17 doubles, two triples, 51 RBI, and 53 runs scored. In the Los Angeles Regional upset of No. 1 seed UCLA, Armstrong helped key the 6-5 win in 10 innings that eliminated the Bruins, going 3-for-4 with a solo home run in the third inning and the game-tying RBI single in the ninth.
Even before Armstrong’s sophomore season, Baseball America lauded his defense in a look at college hitters emerging as 2027 MLB Draft prospects:
Armstrong’s calling card is his defense. Not only is he a quiet receiver who consistently works below the baseball, but he also moves well laterally. Armstrong’s footwork is advanced, and he has a plus arm to go along with quick, efficient transfers.
Armstrong’s burgeoning power combined with an all-fields approach to hitting has turned him into a strong all-around batter as he heads to the Forty Acres with high expectations. Good bat speed allows Armstrong to produce an excellent contact rate on pitches in the strike zone, especially fastballs, and driving a breaking ball away out to center against UCLA flashed his ability to handle breaking balls.
Adding Armstrong provides a high-level replacement for Carson Tinney at catcher while allowing 2026 signee Brady Murrietta a season to develop before competing for the starting job.
