Tag: Kendall Rogers

Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball ranks pair of Texas A&M transfers in top 5 with rave reviews

“As if the Aggies needed more big-time bats in their lineup for the upcoming season, Henseler is another big-time playmaker at the plate.”

The Texas A&M baseball team will be on a revenge tour in 2025 and head coach Michael Earley has loaded up in the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Two of Earley’s additions have caught the attention of many, including Kendall Rogers from D1Baseball. On his “Top 50 Impact Transfer Hitters” list, Rogers ranked two Aggie seniors in the top five.

Third baseman Wyatt Henseler was slotted at No. 3 in the countdown.

“As if the Aggies needed more big-time bats in their lineup for the upcoming season, Henseler is yet another big-time playmaker at the plate,” Rogers stated. “The first thing that stood out about Henseler this fall was his physical 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame. He certainly looks stronger than the measurables would suggest.

“Henseler is coming off four decorated seasons with the Quakers. He hit .365 and .385, respectively, his first two seasons before hitting .321 and then .360 his final two seasons at Penn. Henseler hit 14 or more home runs in each of his final three seasons while also accumulating more than 50 RBI in each of those campaigns as well.”

First baseman Gavin Kash was ranked fifth.

“It’s a one-scrimmage sample size, but Kash, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound, left-handed hitter, looked more like his old self in the Aggies’ scrimmage against Houston earlier this fall,” Rogers wrote. “Kash had a monster 2023 campaign at Texas Tech, hitting .326 with 26 home runs and 84 RBI.

“He also had strong power production for the Red Raiders last season, hitting 17 doubles, 15 home runs and knocking in 51 runs.”

Texas A&M will begin the regular season with a three-game series versus Elon at Blue Bell Park, beginning Valentine’s Day at 6 p.m.

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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.

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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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One Texas A&M baseballl coaching candidate is reportedly out of the mix

Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson is now reportedly out of consideration for Texas A&M HC vacancy

Things are getting interesting on the rumor front regarding Texas A&M baseball’s head coach search, just days after Jim Schlossnagle’s shocking departure to rival Texas after three seasons at the helm and just a day after the Aggies’ College World Series Finals loss to Tennessee.

On Friday, D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers, who has been the most consistent source since Schlossnagles’ exit, provided yet another update on Texas A&M AD Trev Albert’s search to replace the man who brought the program to two CWS appearances in two of his three seasons.

After noting that Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson, former hitting coach Michael Earley, and Wake Forest head coach Tom Walter were legitimate candidates, Rogers has confirmed that Johnson is no longer in consideration and will likely sign an extension to stay in Norman.

Rogers also stated that Albert has three final candidates in line before making a decision, which likely includes Earley and Walter. The current roster players clearly favor Earley returning to the program in some capacity after expressing so on social media.

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Three more candidates have interviewed for Texas A&M baseball’s HC job

Three notable names, including Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson, have interviewed to replace Jim Schlossnagle

What a week it has been for Texas A&M’s baseball program. The shocking news that head coach Jim Schlossnagle was leaving for the Texas Longhorns just a day after the Aggies had played for the College World Series championship has been one of the biggest stories in all of sports media.

While more information regarding Schlossnagle’s abrupt exit emerges, Texas A&M athletic director Trev Alberts is focused on hiring his replacement as soon as possible. He has already interviewed several candidates over the last two days.

While plenty of rumors (mostly unfounded) have spread on social media, D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers provided an update, combined with insider information from TexAgs’ Billy Liucci.

On Friday, Rogers confirmed three candidates, including Oklahoma’s Skip Johnson, Wake Forest’s Tom Walter and former Texas A&M hitting coach Michael Earley, who followed Schlossnagle to Austin, have interviewed for the open position.

Do these three options represent the finalists? Time will tell, but a decision could be made as soon as this weekend.

Of the three, Earley is the only coach without any head coaching experience. However, he is an excellent recruiter with obvious ties to the roster, including star hitters Jace LaViolette and Gavin Grahovic, who entered the transfer portal this week.

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D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers provides an update in Texas A&M baseball’s HC search

Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball had some interesting things to say regarding Texas A&M baseball’s head coach search

Events are ramping up fast after former Texas A&M head baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle’s shocking departure to rival Texas one day after the Aggies’ loss to Tennessee in the College World Series Finals.

The team is feeling the effects of this sudden change, and first-year A&M athletic director Trev Alberts has a great deal on his plate this week as he works to fill the void left by Schlossnagle.

Although nearly a dozen former starters are in the transfer portal, including Jace LaViolette and Gavin Grahovic, that doesn’t mean these players are leaving for a new destination. Instead, they are testing their value in the open market until a new head coach is announced, which is completely reasonable.

On Wednesday night, D1Baseball editor Kendall Rogers released his latest head coach, “hot board,” revealing six possible candidates that could replace Schlossnagle in College Station. Still, one popular name from the SEC was not included until Rogers appeared on TexAgs Radio on Thursday morning.

Speaking with host David Nuno, Rogers noted the timeline for Texas A&M to hire Schlossnagle’s replacement could be announced in the coming days:

“Based on what I’m hearing, I would be really surprised if they didn’t have a new head coach by Saturday. I really do. It’s moving very fast. My educated guess would be today is a very busy day on the coaching search front. By Saturday or Sunday morning, I think they have a new baseball coach.”

Noting plenty of well-known options, including long-time Virginia head coach Brian O’Connor, Rogers stated that one name not yet mentioned has become a legitimate candidate:

The really interesting one I would take a gander at is Kevin O’Sullivan. He has made it very clear that Florida needs some help on the NIL front. He is a guy who, if he went to A&M, would have a lot of NIL money.

This makes perfect sense. While O’Sullivan’s need for strong name, image and likeness licensing support would play a huge factor in any decision to leave the Gators after 17 years in Gainesville, nothing is set in stone. However, the drumbeat for one of the best coaches in the country to make his way to College Station is getting louder and louder.

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2 more Texas A&M baseball players enter NCAA transfer portal, bringing total to 9 thus far

Per D1Baseball managing editor Kendall Rogers, junior shortstop Ali Camarillo and freshman left-hander Kaiden Wilson have enter the portal.

Amid the fallout of head coach Jim Schlossnagle departing Texas A&M for bitter rival Texas on Tuesday, nine Aggies have exercised their right to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Seven players initially entered the portal on Wednesday afternoon and two more have joined the group as of Wednesday evening. According to D1Baseball managing editor Kendall Rogers, junior shortstop Ali Camarillo and freshman left-handed pitcher Kaiden Wilson have followed suit.

The other seven players are freshman third baseman Gavin Grahovac, outfielder Caden Sorrell and shortstop Jack Bell; sophomore outfielder Jace LaViolette, second baseman Kaeden Kent and catcher Max Kaufer; and graduate student designated-hitter Hayden Schott.

Camarillo and Schott are the only portal entrants that are eligible for the 2024 MLB draft in July. Junior OF Braden Montgomery is likely to be drafted in the top 10 despite suffering a season-ending injury in the super regionals.

Amid the transfer madness on Wednesday, Montgomery’s mom Gretchen shared words of wisdom on her private X account.

“Don’t freak out about the transfer portal!! The players have to protect themselves — A&M doesn’t have a coach or staff,” she stated. “Most will get in the portal but can still stay. They will get NIL!! But nobody has more $ than A&M. Most will come back with a STRONG HIRE! Email the AD!”

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Texas A&M baseball stays put in the D1Baseball’s rankings

D1Baseball drops their Week 1 ranking updates and there’s not much movement in the top ten

Texas A&M (3-0) remained perfect on the weekend sweeping McNeese and outscoring them 31-1 over the three days. The Aggies didn’t make any movement in the polls as most games went as planned. A&M showed how dangerous they are hitting from any position in the lineup and pitching was stellar through all three games.

D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers also noted how well the Aggies’ pitching fared after such a up-and-down season last year.

“I always caution everyone about Opening Weekend being Opening Weekend and all, but it’s hard not to take notice of Texas A&M’s pitching staff over the weekend. A&M lost former pitching coach Nate Yeskie to LSU during the offseason, and as a result, hired Mariners Minor League pitching coordinator Max Weiner. The Aggies, who finished last season with the 115th rated staff ERA, allowed just one run in three games against McNeese over the weekend. Lefty Ryan Prager, who made his debut in a return from an injury, struck out nine and allowed one hit in five innings, Justin Lamkin struck out six in 3.3 innings and Shane Sdao struck out five in five shutout frames. That’s a great start for a staff that struggled immensely last season. The one run allowed is the least number of runs allowed by an A&M staff in a weekend series since 1918. Yes, 1918.”

Texas A&M will host UIW at Blue Bell Park on February 20 at 4 p.m.  It can be watched on SEC Network +.

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Where does LSU rank on D1Baseball’s preseason top 25?

D1Baseball has released its much-anticipated preseason top 25.

College baseball is right around the corner and to celebrate, D1Baseball has released its much anticipated top 25 as we head into the 2024 season.

[autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] and the LSU Tigers ended the 2023 season in the best way possible. The Tigers beat the Florida Gators in the College World Series to become national champions.

They lost a few guys and two of the key pieces went No. 1 and No. 2 in the 2023 MLB draft. [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] and [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] led the Tigers through the regionals, super regionals, and the World Series and now they are gone. How will LSU rebound from those losses in 2024?

D1Baseball has LSU as the No. 4 team in the country as we head into 2024. It is not about where you start, it’s about where you finish the season. LSU is behind No. 1 Wake Forest, No. 2 Florida and No. 3 Arkansas to start the year.

LSU will likely face at least two out of three of those teams this spring.

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