Tag: Jason Kelly

2025 RHP/SS Nico Partida has committed to Texas A&M

Texas A&M baseball earns commitment from top RHP/SS out of Pearland, TX

New Texas A&M head baseball coach Michael Earley continues to stack talent in the 2025 class. On Thursday evening, pitcher/shortstop Nico Partida, out of Pearland, Texas, will join the Aggies following his senior year.

Partida is a flamethrower who tops out near the mid-to-high 90s with his fastball and can also hit the ball with the best of them. A case in point is his performance while playing with the U-18 USA Baseball team.

“Partida went 2-0 on the mound with a 0.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 8 IP allowing only 1 hit. Partida also finished hitting .308 for Team USA including going 2 for 4 in the gold medal game!”

According to Prep Baseball Texas, Partida is currently ranked as the No. 4 player in Texas. This makes him the fourth Aggie commit in the class to be ranked in the top ten, right behind Johnny Slawinski, who is ranked No. 3.

There is no denying that the Aggie staff, led by Earley, is off to an amazing start with this class. If they all make it to Aggieland next fall, the future roster will have one of the best young rosters in the nation to work with for several years.

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2025 LHP Johnny Slawinski has committed to Texas A&M

Texas A&M baseball earns commitment from top LHP out of Johnson City, TX

Texas A&M baseball coaches Michael Earley and John Kelly continue to restock the shelf after receiving the news of another decommitment last week. On Wednesday morning, pitcher Johnny Slawinski, out of Johnson City, TX, announced via social media that he will take his 90+ fastball to Bryan, College Station.

Slawinski is a strikeout ace with one of the best strikeout rates in Texas and an arsenal of pitches. Over the summer, he was named the 17u WWBA MVP pitcher and invited to the 2024 Prep Baseball All-American Game as one of the nation’s top prospects.

The future Texas A&M bullpen looks strong once all of the recent commits make it to Aggieland. Slawinski is just the latest example of why the Aggies’ recent success in developing left-handed pitchers over the last decade has become a key, fruitful recruiting tactic.

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2025 RHP Cooper Fulbright solidifies his commitment to Texas A&M

2025 RHP Cooper Fulbright is all in on Texas A&M and Michael Earley

All of the chaos surrounding Texas A&M’s baseball program after now-former head coach Jim Schlossnagle’s shocking exit to take over rival Texas is finally put to bed.

After Aggies’ athletic director Trev Alberts hired Schlossnagles’ replacement, former hitting coach Michael Earley, the wheels were put back on track. More than half of the players who entered the transfer portal, led by star hitters Jace LaViolette and Gavin Grahovac, will return to the program next season.

On the recruiting trail, a notable number of recent commits followed Schlossnagle to the 40 Acres. However, Earley has flipped several 2024 and 2025 commits, including top left-handed pitcher David Ramirez last week. Joining the party, 2025 right-hander Cooper Fulbright posted on X that he has solidified his commitment to Texas A&M, likely receiving interest from Texas over the last month.

Earley deserves credit for the recent success of recruiting. Still, new pitching coach Jason Kelly’s short but extremely successful time as LSU’s pitching coach makes him as SEC-ready as he could be, knowing that with Texas entering the conference, the rivalry has only heated up. Recruits are paying attention to what he and Earley are building.

Standing 6 feet, 1 inch and 175 pounds, Fulbright has a fastball that reportedly maxes out at 95 mph, while his curveball (73 mph) and slider (84 mph) are equally impressive.

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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.

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Texas A&M pitcher Issac Morton confirms he will be returning to Aggieland

Texas A&M sophomore pitcher Issac Morton confirms he withdrew his name from the portal and will return for the 2025 season.

New Texas A&M pitching coach Jason Kelly will have another talented arm returning to College Station. Issac Morton entered the transfer portal to make sure he had options during the coaching change like any player might have done. The 6’3″ sophomore recently confirmed that he will indeed withdraw from the portal and return to A&M.

The decision appears to have come after coach Kelly met with Morton while in Cape Cod watching him pitch. Being able to keep a large part of this pitching staff together along with bringing in a few solid transfers has shown the hiring of Jason Kelly to be a good one so far. 

SEASON STATS

  • Record – 1-0
  • Saves – 0
  • ERA – 2.87
  • Innings Pitched – 15.2
  • Strikeouts – 22
  • Walks – 17
  • Opposing Batting Average – .113

Ahead of next season, Morton has a chance to compete for a spot regular work during the 2025 season with a year of experience under his belt.

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New Texas A&M pitching coach Jason Kelly talks about his coaching style with TexAgs

New Texas A&M pitching coach John Kelly sits down with TexAgs to talk about his journey to Bryan-College Station

Texas A&M saw a major improvement in pitching from the 2023 season to the 2024 campaign.

The change came after the former Seattle Mariner pitching coordinator Max Weiner joined Jim Schlossnagle’s 2024 staff, replacing Nate Yeskie. It was a match made in heaven. The pitching staff spoke very highly of him throughout the season. His mound visits were light-hearted, and he usually had the pitchers locked back in for the remainder of the inning.

Then, less than 24 hours later, the rug was pulled from under them. Weiner followed Schlossnagle to Austin. However, almost all the pitching staff chose not enter the transfer portal, which was surprising. However, A&M still needed to make the right hire and Michael Earley did just that.

Earley brought in former Washington Huskie head coach and LSU pitching coach Jason Kelly. Kelly has a wealth of experience and is widely recognized as one of the best pitching coaches in the nation, with a stable of talent to work with. Below, you can watch his recent interview with TexAgs, in which he talks about his pitching style and his relationship with coach Earley.

 

 

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Texas A&M flips talented JUCO pitcher Kyrin LeBlanc from Texas

Texas A&M snags a strong-armed pitcher out of Cisco College on Saturday night

  • Whip – 2.14

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    Like a thief in the night, Texas A&M flipped former Texas commit Kyrin LeBlanc on Saturday night. The right-handed junior college pitcher spent two seasons at Cisco College where he showed substantial promise as a future closer. A similar pitcher to Aggie junior Chris Cortez, he has abundant power but some of his pitches can get away from him.

    While he is still refining his skills, LeBlanc’s ability to throw in the mid-to-high 90s is a testament to his potential. Some reports suggest he may have even surpassed 100 a few times in the spring. With LeBlanc’s impressive spin rate, new pitching coach Jason Kelly will work with a strong foundation. Below, you can see his commitment from his official social media page.

    CAREER STATS

    • Record – 3-1
    • Saves – 2
    • ERA – 6.66
    • Innings Pitched – 24.1
    • Strikeouts -37
    • Walks – 29
    • Whip – 2.14

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    Two recent Washington transfers could be options for Texas A&M baseball

    Texas A&M could be in the market for multiple Washington transfer after former Huskies head coach Jason Kelly joined Michael Earley’s staff

    Texas A&M baseball’s 2025 roster is all but set after hiring new head coach Michael Earley. Nearly half of the 14 portal entries have returned to the team, after Jim Schlossnagle’s abrupt exit to take over the Texas Longhorns program produced a chaotic transition week.

    Earley, who served as the program’s hitting coach for the last three seasons, was by far the most popular coach on staff. He recruited and developed star hitters Jace LaViolette, Gavin Grahovac and Caden Sorrell, while former Penn outfielder Wyatt Henseler reaffirmed his commitment to the program for next season.

    Looking ahead at the 2025 depth chart, the inclusion of former Texas Tech first baseman Gavin Kash paired with Henseler has shaken things up, while postseason hero Kaeden Kent will likely take over as the starting second baseman.

    From a depth perspective, the Aggies could be in the market for one or two more experienced players to put the roster over the top talent-wise. D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers reported that Washington infielders Aiva Arquette and Cam Clayton, who both entered the transfer portal, could be in the mix for Texas A&M.

    Why the interest? Former Washington head coach Jason Kelly has been hired as Texas A&M’s new pitching coach. That created the potential for several of his players to follow him to College Station, given the Aggies could end up being the preseason No. 1 team next year.

    Here’s how both players performed during the 2024 season:

    • 2B/SS Aiva Arquette, 6 feet, 4 inches, 220 pounds: 68 hits, 12 home runs, .325 batting average
    • 2B/SS Cam Clayton, 6 feet, 205 pounds: 54 hits, seven home runs, .270 batting average

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    Texas A&M baseball officially hired assistant coaches Jason Kelly and Caleb Longley

    Michael Earley’s staff is coming together, as Jason Kelly and Caleb Longley are now officially on board for the 2025 season and beyond

    Amid the chaos surrounding Jim Schlossnagle’s semi-disastrous exit to head the Texas Longhorns baseball program a day after Texas A&M’s College World Series Finals loss to Tennessee, Aggies athletic director Trev Alberts was determined to find his successor much sooner than later.

    After nearly a dozen candidates interviewed over the course of five days, former hitting coach Michael Earley was named the 21st head coach in A&M program history following an impressive interview coupled with current players, prospects and fellow coaches vocal respect what he brings to the table.

    Needing a reliable coaching staff to get him through the ups and downs of his inaugural campaign, two key assistants have been hired: new associate head coach/pitching coach Jason Kelly and new recruiting director/hitting coach Caleb Longley.

    Longley has spent the majority of his coaching career at Texas in the same capacity as his new duties with Texas A&M. During the 2022 season, he helped the Longhorns hit a program record 128 home runs while helping sign the third-ranked recruiting class for 2024.

    Kelly’s coaching career has been fast and furious, serving as a pitching coach since 2003. Like Longley, he was Arizona State’s pitching coach from 2020-2021 when both Earley and Longley were on the Sun Devils staff. During his six-year run as Washington’s pitching coach, Kelly was named D1Baseball.com’s Assistant Coach of the Year during the program’s only College World Series appearance.

    Before becoming LSU head coach Jay Johnson’s first hire during his transition to LSU, Kelly’s brief stint as Washington’s head coach was an immediate success. He led the Huskies to an NCAA regional appearance during the 2023 season.

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    ‘No place I’d rather be,’ Texas A&M sophomore LHP Justin Lamkin voices support for Earley

    Earley has received public support from nearly every Aggie on the roster with the latest being sophomore left-handed pitcher Justin Lamkin.

    New Texas A&M baseball head coach Michael Earley has received public support from nearly every Aggie on the roster, with the latest being sophomore left-handed pitcher Justin Lamkin.

    Lamkin officially announced his return to College Station for a third season via social media on Wednesday evening. The Corpus Christi native stated on X, “No place I’d rather be,” with a thumbs up emoji, tagging Earley and the Gig ‘Em hashtag.

    Lamkin is 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds. He was the No. 5 ranked lefty and 34th overall prospect in Texas coming out of Calallen High School last year. In 2022, Lamkin recorded 21 strikeouts in a no-hitter as a junior.

    He was named to the SEC All-Tournament team as a true freshman in 2023. Lamkin earned an SEC Pitcher of the Week honor this past season on March 25.

    Following a tough stretch in April and May, Lamkin was a reliable starter during Texas A&M’s run to the College World Series finals this year. He will now be instructed by former Washington head coach Jason Kelly, who left Seattle to join Earley‘s staff as the associate HC and pitching coach.

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