Two former Utah Tech Trailblazers reach MLB with AL West teams
Jun 16, 2026, 1:00 PM | Updated: Jun 17, 2026, 9:51 am
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 10: Jayden Murray #70 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 10, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – Two former Utah Tech Trailblazer battery-mates are now making their way at the MLB level.
Pitcher Jayden Murray was recalled by the Houston Astros for the third time in 2026.
Farther west, the Los Angeles Angels signed Logan Porter as a free agent, promoting him to the 26-man MLB roster two days later.
RELATED: Jayden Murray makes MLB debut with Houston Astros
(HOU): Recalled RHP Jayden Murray & optioned RHP Alimber Santa pic.twitter.com/RrmMOvfsv5
— MLB Transactions (@MLBTransacs) June 15, 2026
Murray and Porter were teammates at Utah Tech in 2018
The Astros began action on Tuesday at 33-41, fourth in the American League West. Los Angeles is at the bottom of the division, eight games behind the Seattle Mariners.
Murray and Porter are two of eight players with Utah ties to appear in an MLB game in 2026. They join former BYU pitcher Michael Rucker (Seattle) and Justin Sterner (Athletics) in the AL West.
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Jayden Murray
RHP | Utah Tech Trailblazers
Houston Astros
2026 MLB Stats: 7.43 ERA | 0-0 | 13.1 IP | 8 Ks | 7 BBs | 1.95 WHIP
2026 MiLB Stats: 1.17 ERA | 0-1 | 15.1 IP | 19 Ks | 6 BBs | 0.78 WHIP
Jayden Murray threw 148 innings over the 2018 and 2019 seasons at Utah Tech, finishing his college career with a 13–8 record and a 4.38 ERA. He went 10–3 during his senior season in 2019, posting a 3.78 ERA.
The Tampa Bay Rays selected Murray in the 23rd round of the 2019 MLB Draft, and he was later dealt to Houston in 2022 as part of the trade that sent Jose Siri to Tampa Bay.
Murray advanced to Triple-A in 2023 within the Astros organization, but a series of injury setbacks limited him for much of the 2024 season.
He returned to the mound in 2025, making 50 appearances out of the bullpen for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. Murray logged 64 innings with a 4.64 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP, seven holds, and three saves in four opportunities, striking out 66 batters while issuing 30 walks.
His MLB debut came in September when Murray appeared in nine games, tossing 11.2 innings for Houston to the tune of a 1.54 ERA.
Logan Porter
Catcher | Utah Tech Trailblazers
Los Angeles Angels
2026 MiLB Stats: 33 Games | .319 BA | 37 Hits | 6 HR | 9 2B | 22 RBI | 22 BB | 35 K
2026 MLB Stats: 2 Games | .000 BA | 2 Runs | 2Ks | BB
Porter transferred to Dixie State (now Utah Tech) after earning Northwestern Oklahoma State Freshman and Sophomore Athlete of the Year accolades in 2015 and 2016.
He went on to set the program record for RBI with 72 as a junior. He was named a finalist for the Josh Willingham National MVP Award in his first season with UTT.
Porter’s average dropped more than 60 points in his senior year, though he still finished with a respectable .313 average.
He left St. George with 16 home runs and 112 RBI while slashing .347/.483/.581.
Source: The #Angels are selecting C Logan Porter.
Porter recently joined LAA on a minor league deal. He has MLB experience with the Giants and Royals.
The one time clubbie and bullpen catcher now gets a shot with a 3rd MLB team. pic.twitter.com/fumJIvd6vU
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) June 10, 2026
In two seasons at Utah Tech (2017-18), Porter slashed .347/.483/.581 in 104 games. He hit ten home runs and had a career-high 72 RBI as a freshman in 2017.
He signed with the Kansas City Royals organization after going undrafted in the 2019 MLB draft.
Porter made his MLB debut in 2023 when the former Trailblazer hit .194 in 31 September at-bats with Kansas City.
He became the first Utah Tech alum with an MLB home run when he went deep against the Astros in September 2023.
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