Tag: Grant Cunningham

Former Washington pitcher Grant Cunningham commits to Texas A&M

Texas A&M has landed a commitment from former Washington pitcher Grant Cunningham!

Texas A&M has added another arm to the 2025 bullpen. The conclusion of the 2024 MLB draft provided clarity for one of the top collegiate pitchers in the transfer portal. Former Washington starting right-handed pitcher Grant Cunningham is headed to Texas A&M.

Jim Schlossnagle’s memorable departure led to 14 players entering the transfer portal, including Jace LaViolette and Gavin Grahovac. Nearly every key contributor during the Aggies’ College World Series Finals run voiced their support for Michael Earley through social media. After a strong interview and his recruiting/development success within the program over the past three years, the choice was clear.

However, Earley’s hiring of a new pitching coach, Jason Kelly, is one of the primary reasons for Cunningham’s commitment. Kelly brings in a familiar face from his brief head coaching career at Washington.

In contrast, 2024 starting ace pitcher Ryan Prager is likely headed to the pros after being drafted in the third round by the Los Angeles Angels.

Pitching-wise, Shane Sdao, Josh Stewart and Justin Lamkin will return next season. Elite closer Evan Aschenbeck is more than likely gone after being drafted in the sixth round by the Chicago Cubs.

Cunningham has a legitimate shot at earning a starting spot in rotation. In his final 2023 campaign with the Huskies, he recorded 56 strikeouts along with his 2.86 ERA and 3-4 record.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

Texas A&M baseball is close to adding several pitchers from the transfer portal

According to Kendall Rogers, Texas A&M could be adding more pitchers to the 2025 bullpen

Texas A&M’s baseball program is under new management. Aggies athletic director Trev Alberts made his first critical move at the helm, hiring former hitting coach Michael Earley to replace Jim Schlossnagle, who left the program to head the Texas Longhorns.

While Schlossnagle’s departure led to 14 players entering the transfer portal, including Jace LaViolette and Gavin Grahovac, nearly every key contributor during the Aggies College World Series Finals run voiced their support for Earley through social media. After a strong interview coupled with his recruiting/development success within the program over the past three years, the choice was clear as day.

After Sunday’s announcement, seven of the 14 Aggies who entered the portal, including up-and-coming sophomore pitcher Kaiden Wilson, have withdrawn their names since Earley’s new job title became official.

On paper, the roster is all but set, sporting a ton of power at the plate with LaViolette and Grahovac returning to the lineup, paired with transfer Gavin Kash and Wyatt Henseler putting the lineup over the top.

Pitching-wise, sophomore lefty Justin Lamkin joined Shane Sdao and Josh Stewart to make new pitching coach Josh Kelly’s life easier, but added depth in the bullpen with elite closer Evan Aschenbeck’s Aggie future still in question is still a need. Well, more help could be on the way. On Friday, D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers stated on X that more help is on the way:

“I’m expecting A&M to land 2-4 strong arms in the coming days. There’s also a position player in the mix there that I don’t think you can say no to.”

For context, Rogers tweeted this before Kaiden Wilson’s announcement, but a name to keep in mind is former Washington right-hander Grant Cunningham, who remains one of the best arms in the portal. Cunningham ended the 2023 season with a 3-4 record, striking out 56 with a 2.86 ERA.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.