TCU baseball had a proud moment during the 2025 MLB Draft when standout left-handed pitcher Ben Abeldt became the first Horned Frog off the board. The Texas Rangers selected him in the fifth round with the 146th overall pick, showing confidence in his talent and long-term potential despite a recent injury setback. Abeldt entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations after a phenomenal 2024 campaign, during which he earned First Team All-Big 12 honors along with All-Region and All-American recognition. Unfortunately, his momentum was halted before he could even take the mound in 2025, as an elbow injury sidelined him for the entire year. Still, he received a medical redshirt and remains on TCU’s 2026 roster, preparing for a comeback.
Abeldt made a big splash early in his college career. As a freshman in 2023, he was a reliable force out of the bullpen, finishing the year with a 3.60 ERA and 71 strikeouts over 55 innings. He led the team with 32 relief appearances and was rightfully honored with a spot on the All-Big 12 Freshman Team. His breakout year also earned him an invitation to play with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team—an impressive accomplishment that spoke to his national reputation and rising stock.
He took another leap forward in 2024, serving as a dominant reliever for the Horned Frogs. That season, Abeldt went 3-0 with a razor-sharp 1.86 ERA, tallying 54 strikeouts across 44.2 innings. Opponents struggled to make solid contact against him, batting just .186 for the entire year. His reliability in high-leverage situations helped solidify the back end of TCU’s bullpen, and he became one of the most trusted arms on the staff.
His exceptional 2024 performance didn’t go unnoticed. Abeldt racked up accolades, including Second-Team ABCA All-Region and Second-Team NCBWA All-American honors. Heading into what would have been his junior season in 2025, expectations were through the roof. He was named to both the Preseason All-Big 12 Team and several Preseason All-American lists, but an untimely elbow injury shut him down for the year. Despite not pitching in 2025, Abeldt’s body of work over his first two seasons, combined with his size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), left-handed velocity, and command, kept him firmly on MLB scouts’ radars.
Now, with the Rangers taking a chance on him in the draft, the hope is that Abeldt can fully recover and resume his climb toward a big league future. His early college career showed just how effective and dominant he can be when healthy. For now, he’ll remain part of TCU’s plans for 2026 while continuing his rehab and development—both with the Horned Frogs and under the watchful eye of the Rangers’ organization.