Tag: Michael Earley

Star pitcher Ryan Prager discusses his return to Texas A&M in TexAgs interview

Here’s what Ryan Prager had to say regarding his decision to return to Texas A&M for a final season

New Texas A&M baseball head coach Michael Earley will be more than well-equipped ahead of his first season leading the program, as it was revealed that 2024 ace pitcher Ryan Prager would return to College Station for a final season, forgoing the MLB for one more year.

Drafted in the 3rd round by the Los Angeles Angels, Prager, in an interview with TexAgs Radio, provided a clear and concise answer that should excite every Aggie fan ahead of the 2025 season, as the redshirt junior feels is just too good not to make another postseason run:

“Ultimately, I was put in a position where I felt really comfortable enough to bet on myself,” Prager stated. “The development that we have here is elite, and also, we were so close to winning a national championship. You feel like you have some unfinished business there.”

Outside of a handful of forgettable starts, Ryan Prager lived up to his ace billing, finishing the season with a 9-1 record, 124 strikeouts, and a 2.98 ERA. With another full season under his belt, expect Prager to dominate on the mound with added confidence, knowing that plenty of talented arms are behind him.

With his family and personal coaches behind his decision, Ryap Prager is only helping his MLB future as the college baseball landscape continues to increase in value.

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Aggies’ SP Ryan Prager has revealed his Texas A&M playing future

Ryan Prager is back!

In a surprising turn of events, Texas A&M star pitcher Ryan Prager will forgo his MLB future and return to College Station for a final season after being drafted in the 3rd round by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2024 MLB Draft last week, opting to not sign his reported $948,000 contract with the organization.

Coming off his best collegiate season, Prager was responsible for the Aggies’ only win during the College World Series against Tennessee. He earned a 9-1 record, 124 strikeouts, and a 2.95 ERA, leading the Aggies in two out of three categories.

While many of us believed Prager would be off to Los Angeles and on the fast track to being called up sooner than later, the rumblings came to fruition on Wednesday afternoon, all but solidifying Texas A&M’s 2025 squad as a Top 5 ranked team in every preseason ranking, vying for the No. 1 spot.

Prager joins Shane Sdao, Justin Lamkin, and Josh Stewart this offseason in the pitching lineup. At the same time, several new faces, including former Washington pitcher Grant Cunningham, will all be coached by new pitching coach Josh Kelly.

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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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2024 right-hander pitcher Gavin Lyons flips from Longhorns and commits to Texas A&M

As several talented Aggies get selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, new head coach Michael Earley has continued to retool the team for next year.

As several talented Texas A&M baseball players get selected in the 2024 MLB Draft from Sunday through Tuesday, new head coach Michael Earley has continued to retool the team for next year.

The latest prospect to make their way to Aggieland is Class of 2024 graduate Gavin Lyons. The right-hander pitcher was previously committed to the Texas Longhorns but officially flipped his commitment to the Aggies on Sunday night.

“Follow the people that believe in you…” Lyons stated on Instagram. He added two hashtags: Gig ‘Em and third time’s a charm.

Lyons attended Hamden Hall High School in Guilford, Connecticut, where he was the No. 1 overall recruit in the state. When he’s not toeing the rubber, Lyons alternates between first base, third base and the outfield. He is listed at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds. Lyons is an older true freshman as he just celebrated his 19th birthday this month.

TexAgs executive editor Billy Liucci stated on X that Lyons is “the type of pitcher who could very well make a year one impact in College Station.”

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Texas A&M favorite Hayden Schott has successful knee surgery

Texas A&M DH Hayden Schott gives an update on his knee as only he can

  • SLG%/OB% – .498/.418

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    One theme consistently echoed throughout the season was how together this Texas A&M baseball team was and how much fun they had. A major factor in that camaraderie was former Colombia outfielder Hayden Schott, who transferred to A&M for the 2024 season.

    Schott is also the one who gave us Jace LaViolette’s now legendary nickname, “Lord Tubbington,” referencing the hit children’s show Teletubbies. It started off as a fun joke that morphed into a mainstay among fans and the media. On top of being one of the team’s top cheerleaders, he also came through on the field with timely hits and fought through knee pain the entire postseason.

    With the season over, he is taking the time to take care of himself, and in true Schott fashion, he keeps it light.

    SEASON STATS

    • Batting Average -.335
    • Runs – 45
    • Hits – 88
    • Home runs – 8
    • RBIs – 63
    • SLG%/OB% – .498/.418

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    Texas A&M’s Gavin Grahovac makes Baseball America’s All-American Team

    Texas A&M third baseman earns another All-American bid making him a unanimous All-American

  • SLG%/OB% – .596/.390

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    The SEC Freshman of the Year Gavin Grahovac notched his fourth All-American nod, making him a unanimous All-American. After pulling out of the 2023 MLB draft, Grahovac came into Texas A&M with a load of expectations. He stepped up to the plate, taking the starting third base position and serving as the team’s leadoff hitter.

    He re-wrote the record books with 23 home runs as a freshman, eclipsing fellow, former unanimous Freshman All-American Jace LaViolette by two home runs. Like most of the 2023 roster with eligibility, he jumped into the transfer portal while the university started the new coaching search. However, the hiring of Michael Earley gave Grahovac the confidence to come back to Aggieland with some unfinished business

     

    SEASON STATS

    • Batting Average – .298
    • Runs – 83
    • Hits – 85
    • Home runs – 23
    • RBIs – 66
    • SLG%/OB% – .596/.390

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    Another Texas A&M pitcher has announed his return for the 2025 season

    Texas A&M pitcher Troy Wansing will return for the 2025 season!

    What a month it has been for Texas A&M baseball. New head coach Michael Earley has already made an impact after being hired early last week. More than half of the 14 players in the transfer portal returned to the program and several key veterans have been added during the past few days.

    Despite Jim Schlossnagle taking former Aggies’ pitching coach Max Weiner to join his staff at Texas, Earley is well-equipped after bringing on former Washington head coach Jason Kelly as the program’s new pitching coach. Kelly brings an impressive resume as one of the best assistants in the country, serving with Earley during their days at Arizona State.

    As it stands, nearly every pitcher from the 2024 staff outside of Ryan Prager and Chris Cortez has announced his return. The depth chart is littered with lefties, including junior pitcher Troy Wansing, who announced his return on Tuesday afternoon.

    One of Texas A&M’s top arms during the 2023 season, Wansing, missed all but one game during the 2024 campaign due to a back injury. He should be completely healthy in the coming months.

    After transferring from Purdue, Wansing was stellar on the mound. In 2023, despite his relatively high 5.50 ERA, he recorded 72 strikeouts while allowing just five home runs in 18 appearances.

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    Top 50 prospect, shortstop Wyatt Sanford, reaffirms commitment to Texas A&M baseball team

    “One of the best defensive shortstops in the 2024 high school class, Wyatt Sanford has range to both sides and solid-to-plus arm strength.”

    Texas A&M baseball head coach Michael Earley hasn’t wasted time since being hired, bolstering his coaching staff, retaining players in the transfer portal and recruiting top prospects from the high school ranks.

    Class of 2024 shortstop Wyatt Sanford reaffirmed his commitment to the Aggies on Sunday. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound graduate of Independence High School in Frisco, Texas, is ranked No. 34 in the official MLB 2024 prospect rankings.

    “One of the best defensive shortstops in the 2024 high school class, Sanford has range to both sides and solid-to-plus arm strength. There’s no doubt he can stay at the position, but his athleticism and tools would enable him to play almost anywhere on the diamond in a utility role. He produces consistent plus run times and is an asset on the bases,” MLB.com stated. “The Texas A&M recruit has a mature gap-to-gap approach and makes good swing decisions, but he has spread out more with his legs this spring in search of contact.

    “He’ll probably need to rework his setup in pro ball and may top out at 15 homers per season.”

    Texas A&M junior outfielder Braden Montgomery is slotted eighth in MLB’s rankings.

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    Coach Michael Earley continues to bolster baseball coaching staff with 2 more additions

    According to a report from TexAgs analyst Ryan Brauninger, Earley added a duo of “highly regarded” personnel Saturday to the coaching staff.

    New Texas A&M baseball head coach Michael Earley continues to fill out his first coaching staff. He made two more additions this weekend to bolster the roster.

    According to a report from TexAgs analyst Ryan Brauninger, Earley added a duo of highly regarded personnel on Saturday. Per Brauninger, Jace Hutchins received a promotion to the director of player development. Jack Mahala was elevated to the director of video and analytics.

    Earley lured a familiar face back to College Station on Saturday as well. After one season in the Bayou, Jeremy McMillan has returned as the Aggies head coach of strength and conditioning, a position he served in for 12 years before departing for LSU.

    Mahala’s former role was as the director of research and development. Hutchins previously served as a student assistant. During his redshirt sophomore year at Texas A&M in 2023, Hutchins received the Marion Pugh Spirit Award, which was voted upon by his peers.

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