Since David Pierce arrived at Texas ahead of the 2017 season, his best baseball teams have had some things in common.

Pierce's good Texas teams could pitch, and their rosters were stocked with draft-bound talent. Usually there's been a slugger such as Kody Clemens or Ivan Melendez in the heart of the batting order.

And don't forget about the slick-fielding shortstop.

When Texas reached the College World Series in 2018, shortstop David Hamilton was a defensive wunderkind. And Trey Faltine was a highlight waiting to happen at short as the Longhorns reached Omaha in 2021 and 2022.

So far this season, the jury is out when it comes to whether Texas has what it takes to reach the CWS for a 39th time. The 24th-ranked Longhorns head into a three-game series at No. 17 Texas Tech this weekend to open Big 12 play saddled with a four-game losing streak. But at least they have the shortstop position figured out.

Sophomore Jalin Flores is hitting .347 with 15 RBIs and a team-high five home runs, including two grand slams. And defensively, his highlights — of which there have been plenty — have outweighed his errors: none.

Take Sunday's game against No. 9 Vanderbilt at Minute Maid Park, for example. In the fifth inning, Flores cleanly fielded a well-hit grounder up the middle, spun and fired a successful throw to first base. He later made a nice play on a one-hop grounder in the eighth.

"That Texas shortstop is so smooth," color commentator Pat Combs said on the game's broadcast.

"He's been fun to watch this weekend," play-by-play announcer Brett Dolan agreed.

Impressing early on a big stage

During that same weekend in Houston, Flores showed off his range, athleticism and arm on an infield single that might have been an out if the batter had been anyone but LSU leadoff hitter Paxton Kling. Two days later, Flores started a double play against Texas A&M from his knees.

On Feb. 23 at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, Flores sprinted to his right to cut off a ground ball hit by Cal Poly's Aaron Casillas. In what was described on the Longhorn Network broadcast by UT great Keith Moreland as "one of the best (plays) you'll see," Flores was able to fling the ball across the diamond while still on the run to get the out.

"Just watching it from my angle up close to seeing his arm angle and him whip that ball over there, the range that he had to go with it, it was a special play," third baseman Peyton Powell said. "I hope he can continue to do that all season for us."

Not just a two-way player, but a two-way star

Flores has started a dozen times at shortstop, which is already four more starts than he made at the position in 2023. Mitchell Daly was primarily used there last season, which left Flores to find some playing time at third base and as the Longhorns' designated hitter.

Daly transferred to Kentucky during the offseason, and Flores has seamlessly slid into the shortstop spot. He has not had a miscue over 49 defensive chances, and he's had a hand in eight double plays.

"Jalin has improved a lot, and it's been really fun to watch his process, and I feel really good about him and his ability to play the shortstop position," UT infielder Jack O'Dowd said before the season started. "I think the fans will enjoy watching him play. He can be pretty special over there."

A San Antonio product, Flores grew up watching Troy Tulowitzki play shortstop for the Colorado Rockies. "He's a five-time (All-Star), love to watch him," Flores said of Tulowitzki, who now works as the Longhorns' director of player development.

Flores also admires ex-Rockies shortstop Trevor Story: "I just loved how smooth he played, just how fluid he was." And since he's listed as 6 feet 2 on the roster, Flores has tried to model his game after Carlos Correa because the former Houston Astro and current Minnesota Twin is "a taller figure and he has to play very low."

While Flores has been flawless at short, Texas has committed 14 errors this season. With a fielding percentage of .970, UT ranks 119th among 295 Division I teams in that category.

The defense will be kept on its toes this weekend in Lubbock. Texas Tech has a .364 batting average and an average of 13.6 runs scored. The Red Raiders boast the nation's top-scoring offense. Only Florida State (.374) and Wofford (.374) are hitting at a better clip.

These three games will be the first of 30 that Texas will play this season against 10 of the Big 12's other 12 baseball teams. In January, UT was picked to finish second in the Big 12 preseason poll. Texas will close out the regular season against Kansas, and Spike Owen — the former shortstop and namesake of Texas' defensive MVP award — will fittingly be honored that weekend as part of the program's TraDISCHion series.

This weekend's series

No. 24 Texas (7-5, 0-0) at No. 17 Texas Tech (10-2, 0-0), Friday-Sunday, Rip Griffin Park in Lubbock, ESPN+, 1300

Friday (6:30 p.m.) — Texas RHP Lebarron Johnson Jr. (1-1, 2.25) vs. Tech RHP Kyle Robinson (2-1, 3.14); Saturday (2 p.m.) — Texas RHP Cody Howard (2-0, 3.29) vs. Tech RHP Mac Heuer (1-0, 2.61); Sunday (2 p.m.) — Texas RHP Charlie Hurley (1-0, 5.11) vs. Tech RHP Jack Washburn (1-0, 8.49)

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas baseball player Jalin Flores creates highlights at shortstop