Tag: Ryan Prager

Texas A&M baseball has lost one of its star pitchers ahead of the 2025 season

Texas A&M LHP Shane Sdao will reportedly miss the 2025 season

Tough news regarding one of Texas A&M baseball’s star pitchers ahead of head coach Mike Earley’s first season leading the program: Incoming junior left-handed pitcher Shane Sdao will reportedly miss the 2025 season after recently undergoing surgery.

During the Aggies’ College World Series run this summer, Sdao injured his elbow during the Super Regionals vs. the Oregon Ducks and did not return for the rest of the postseason. Timing is everything, and according to TexAgs analyst Ryan Brauninger, Sdao’s attempt to rehab the injury did not go as planned, leading to his recent surgery to repair the ligaments.

This offseason, Earley’s efficient transfer portal success included adding more depth and star power to the pitching lineup, including for Long Beach State LHP Myles Patton, paired with the return of ace pitcher Ryan Prager, who opted to forgo his MLB future after being drafted by the Los Angeles Angels.

Given Sdao’s injury status, he will be eligible to redshirt this season for an extra year if he chooses.

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‘Unfinished business,’ LHP Ryan Prager bypasses Los Angeles Angels for return to Texas A&M

“We came so close, feeling like we have a good shot to be able to avenge some of the things that we weren’t able to accomplish,” he said.

A few weeks ago, Texas A&M left-handed pitcher Ryan Prager accomplished a childhood dream by being drafted in the MLB Draft.

Prager was picked very high as well, in the third round at 81st overall by the Los Angeles Angels. However, he has decided to return to the Aggies for his redshirt junior season next year.

“I thought that would be huge for my career and be able to put me in a big spot to have a long career and that’s the ultimate goal,” Prager told KBTX on Thursday. “Then, also, a little unfinished business after last year. We came so close, feeling like we have a good shot to be able to avenge some of the things that we weren’t able to accomplish.”

Los Angeles also selected Texas A&M junior RHP Chris Cortez, but Prager opted to stay in College Station rather than joining his teammate in Anaheim.

“I knew that I wasn’t going to jump into a situation that I thought was not the right one, because I knew what A&M had to offer,” Prager said. “What one more year of addressing a few things on the development side could do for my career, because the goal is still to be a major league player and to do it for a long time. So, it was kind of a bet on myself at this point.”

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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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Texas A&M baseball enters the record books with 2024 MLB Draft

Texas A&M now has the longest streak of three or more players being drafted in the MLB Draft since 2001

Texas A&M has been on the cusp of being a powerhouse baseball team for the most part of the last decade but repeatedly fell short of expectations until the 2024 season. On the heels of a historic year, Aggie fans settled in to follow the 2024 MLB Draft to see which of their beloved A&M players would make the jump to the pros.

They didn’t have to wait long with Braden Montgomery being selected 12th overall and stayed tuned to watch six more Aggies get selected throughout the draft. With seven players being picked A&M now has the longest streak in the nation for three or more players being drafted since 2001. The Aggies that were selected in this year’s draft can be viewed on the tracker here.

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Chicago White Sox pick Aggies senior catcher Jackson Appel in 6th round of 2024 MLB Draft

Catcher Jackson Appel joined the group of drafted Aggies on Monday as he was selected by the Chicago White Sox with the 169th overall pick.

As DJ Khaled likes to say, “Another one!” Six Texas A&M baseball players have been selected in the 2024 MLB Draft thus far.

Senior catcher Jackson Appel joined the group on Monday as he was chosen in the sixth round by the Chicago White Sox with the 169th overall pick. Two selections prior his batterymate, junior right-handed pitcher Tanner Jones, was picked by the Kansas City Royals.

Appel and Jones join juniors, outfielder Braden Montgomery and RHP Chris Cortez, sophomore LHP Ryan Prager and 2024 shortstop commit Wyatt Sanford as fellow Aggies draftees. At 12th overall to the Boston Red Sox, Montgomery became the highest draft pick in Texas A&M program history.

Cortez was selected in the second round by the Los Angeles Angels at 45th overall. Two picks later, the Pittsburgh Pirates chose Sanford. In the third round at 81st overall, Prager joined his teammate in Anaheim.

Appel comes from a family of athletes. His mom Sharon played basketball at SMU and his grandpa Jerry hooped at Arkansas.

Jackson graduated from Memorial High School in Houston. He spent his first three years in college at Penn where he racked up the accolades.

Appel was an All-Ivy League second team selection in 2022, then made the first team the following season. He was also a member of the 2023 Auburn Regional All-Tournament team.

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Ryan Prager selected by the Los Angeles Angels with the 81st overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft

Texas A&M pitcher Ryan Prager is the second Aggie taken by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2024 MLB Draft

Texas A&M tone-setter on the mound Ryan Prager could very well be named as the Aggies comeback player of the year. To make it even sweeter, his 2024 campaign with him being drafted in the third round by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2024 MLB Draft. If Prager does actually sign with the Angels, he will join fellow Aggie pitcher Chris Cortez.

The lefty was A&M’s main weekend starter and picked up the win in the Aggie’s lone victory during the national championship series against Tennessee. While his fastball only tops out around the low 90s it has great movement, and he pairs that with some good off-speed pitches. Prager’s comeback as been nothing short of amazing.

CAREER STATS

  • Record – 10-5
  • Saves – 0
  • ERA – 3.78
  • Innings Pitched – 157
  • Strikeouts – 177
  • Walks – 45
  • Opposing Batting Average – .242

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Texas A&M SP Ryan Prager tested out as one of the best pitchers in the country

Ryan Prager has a chance to be drafted in the first or second round of the 2024 MLB Draft

Former head coach Jim Schlossnagle’s abrupt exit to take over rival Texas just a day after Texas A&M’s loss to Tennessee in the College World Series Finals sadly took the air out of the Aggie’s incredible run. Still, ahead of the 2024 MLB Draft, several A&M stars are slated to hear their names called.

The draft’s first two rounds will be broadcast on ESPN starting Sunday night. According to multiple analysts, Texas A&M ace pitcher Ryan Prager is predicted to land in the second or third round.

Prager could still opt to return to the program after the conclusion of the draft, as he has plenty of room to add to his skillset as a starting pitcher. His teammate, junior relief pitcher Chris Cortez, could go as high as the first round due to his strong arm and improved control after fixing his previous issues during the 2024 season.

According to 643 Charts, a notable baseball scouting outlet, Prager, who finished his redshirt sophomore campaign with 124 strikeouts, a 9-1 record, and a 2.95 ERA, his elite outings were accomplished in the zone, leading the country with a 58.7% strike zone average, while 70% of his first pitches ended in strikes.

Prager’s fastball usually gets the job done, but his slider made him one of the top throwers in the SEC, recording 72.4% of his strikes with the pitch.

The first and second rounds of the 2024 MLB Draft will start at 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN.

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How to watch the 2024 MLB Draft

How to watch the 2024 MLB Draft, starting on Sunday night

For several stars from the 2024 Texas A&M baseball roster, the 2024 MLB Draft is just the next step in their playing careers, as three starters, including Braden Montgomery, Ryan Prager, and Chris Cortez, are predicted by several analysts to be selected in the first two rounds.

Amid Texas A&M’s legendary run to the College World Series Finals, Montgomery, who is currently slated to be selected within the first ten picks of the draft, sustained a season-ending ankle injury during the super regional round vs. Oregon, likely ending his college career after hitting 27 home runs in his first season with the program.

Prager, who returned to the mound after missing the 2023 seasons due to injury, almost immediately earned his starting role as A&M’s ace, finishing with a 9-1 record, including a 2.95 ERA and a team-high 124 strikeouts on the year. Cortez, under former pitching coach Max Weiner, all but remedied his previous issue with control, as his powerful arm produced 101 Ks with a 10-3 record 2.78 ERA.

On its face, Montgomery and Cortez might be the most MLB-ready, as Prager, who could easily end up being drafted in the first round, can still add to his repertoire if he opts to return for a final season with Texas A&M.

Starting with round one on Sunday night, here is how to watch all three rounds over the next two days:

  • Day 1: Rounds 1-2 on Sunday, July 14, which will air on ESPN 
  • Day 2: Rounds 3-10 on Monday, July 15, which be available on MLB.com 
  • Day 3: Rounds 11-20 on Tuesday, July 16, which will be available on MLB.com

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Ryan Prager provides an update on his pitching future with Texas A&M

Texas A&M ace pitcher Ryan Prager is still undecided on his immediate playing future

What a week it was for Texas A&M’s baseball program.

The shocking news that head coach Jim Schlossnagle was leaving his position to take over the University of Texas program one day after the Aggies’ 6-5 loss in the College World Series Finals left everyone very confused.

However, five days later Texas A&M athletic director Trev Alberts hired his successor from among the reported nine coaches under consideration. Former Aggie hitting coach Michael Earley became the program’s 21st head coach, bringing energy and excitement to an already established roster. His proven recruiting background is certainly a plus for the program’s future.

After his introduction and before the Q&A portion of Tuesday’s event, GigEm247 beat writer Carter Karels pulled aside Aggies ace pitcher Ryan Prager for a couple of questions regarding his playing future. Prager was joined by several players on the roster at the event.

Although still weighing his options, Prager said he is excited about the hire. He noted Earley has already brought in an elite coaching staff. At the same time, he and the team’s chaotic week in Omaha, combined with Schlossnagles’ departure, is certainly something he’ll never forget.

Concerning a potential return in 2025, Karels asked that very question, especially with star hitters Jace LaViolette and Gavin Grahovac announcing their returns earlier in the day:

“We’ll see what happens. A lot of conversations to happen with some people in my corner, which includes my family and some other people we rely on. We’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks, and go from there.”

Prager finished his redshirt sophomore season on a high note: a 9-1 record, 124 strikeouts and a 2.95 ERA. For those interested, here is the full interview with Karels.

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