The Minnesota Twins just snagged Texas Longhorns catcher Carson Tinney with the 43rd pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, and if you haven't seen this dude play, you need to pay attention. This right-handed catcher brings a ridiculous combination of patience and raw power at the plate, plus he’s got above-average base running speed and defensive skills that give him a real shot at zooming through the minor leagues.
This Catcher Was an Absolute Monster in College
Tinney, a 6’4”, 240lb beast, put together two of the most impressive seasons for a catcher we've seen in college ball. Back in 2025, as a sophomore at Notre Dame, he absolutely torched the competition. He led the Irish in practically everything: average (.348), runs (52), homers (17), RBI (53), total bases (119), walks (34), on-base percentage (.498), and slugging (.753). In conference play, he was second among all ACC players in both on-base percentage (.491) and OPS (1.322). It's no wonder he was recognized as a 2025 Baseball America First Team All American. This wasn't just a fluke; he showed an advanced approach at the plate with serious power, consistently collecting extra-base hits and walks while driving in runs. He was way beyond your typical college catcher.From Rocky Start to Lethal Weapon: Tinney's Unbelievable Ascension
For his final college season, Tinney hit the transfer portal as one of its highest-rated players, landing with the Texas Longhorns. After a bit of a rocky start, he transformed into a lethal weapon across every dimension of the game. At the plate, he slashed an incredible .326/.483/.688 with 22 home runs and 58 RBI. He led the SEC with 55 walks and had the third-highest OBP at .483. And get this: despite his sturdy build and "average" speed metrics, he snagged 10 bases. That's some sneaky speed right there! Behind the plate, the guy was a general, commanding an excellent pitching staff and catching eight people stealing in 32 attempts. His arm is no joke, and his receiving ability got even better while he was in Austin. He even got recognized as a 2026 Rawlings Gold Glover, marking him as the best defensive catcher in college baseball. This dude was on fire, rolling through the NCAA Tournament with a .500 batting average (10-for-20), 2 homers, and 4 RBI, taking Texas to the College World Series. The hardware just kept piling up too: Second Team All SEC, NCAA Austin Regional All Tournament Team, and D1 Baseball Third Team All American. The Twins just got themselves a hitter with raw power and a ton of confidence. Anyway, while the Twins are stoked on Tinney, we gotta talk M's. It was a tough one out there against the Rays tonight, with our boys falling 7-2. Just one of those days, but you know our Mariners will bounce back. Always looking ahead, Emerald City!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.