Tag: Texas Aggies Baseball

Here’s what Aggies shortstop Ali Camarillo brings back to California for Oakland Athletics

As Biggie Smalls once said, Camarillo is “going going, back back, to Cali Cali.” He grew up in Chula Vista, 500 miles south of the East Bay.

After being selected by the Oakland Athletics with the 346th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Texas A&M junior shortstop Ali Camarillo is returning home to the Golden State.

As iconic rapper Biggie Smalls once said, Camarillo is “going going, back back, to Cali Cali.” Camarillo grew up in Chula Vista, about 500 miles south of the East Bay. However, he’ll likely never play a professional game in Oakland as the franchise will be relocated to Sacramento from 2025 til at least 2027 before the franchise moves to Las Vegas.

While the future remains uncertain, Camarillo brings versatility to the A’s. His defense is smooth and efficient. If Camarillo can produce consistently at the plate, he is comparable to Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Smith.

Camarillo also provides a clutch ability. Beginning with his Little League World Series experience in 2016, to playing in the College World Series for the Aggies this year, Camarillo is built for big moments.

Whether he makes his big league debut in California’s Capitol, Sin City or elsewhere, the Athletics made a great pick in the 12th round.

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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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Texas A&M closer Evan Aschenbeck signs his deal with the Chicago Cubs

Evan Aschenbeck’s Texas A&M career as ended

With any good news, bad news may be on the horizon, but that’s just how life works. On Wednesday, Texas A&M baseball head coach Michael Earley received great news ahead of his first season leading the program, as ace pitcher Ryan Prager has opted to return to Aggieland for a final season.

However, just hours later, it was revealed that star closer Evan Aschenbeck, who the Chicago Cubs drafted in the 6th round of the 2024 MLB Draft, did not hear back from the NCAA after applying for a final waiver to return next season and will instead sign his deal with the Cubs as his Texas A&M career comes to a close.

Aschenbeck’s incredible career in College Station culminated in Texas A&M’s first appearance in the College World Series Finals, as the senior lefty finished with ten saves and an NCAA-leading 1.78 ERA while recording 88 strikeouts on the year. Aschenbeck posted his final farewell on X on Wednesday night:

“Aggieland, I am forever grateful for the love I have received over the last two years. After not hearing back from the NCAA about additional eligibility, it’s time for me to pursue my dream of playing professional baseball. I will be back as often as I can, Aggieland is my home.”

Per Instagram, Aschenbeck signed his rookie deal with Chicago.

Congratulations, Evan!

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Texas A&M catcher Jackson Appel signs with the Chicago White Sox

Texas A&M catcher Jackson Appel officially joins the Chicago White Sox organization by signing his contract

Another Aggie signed on to live out their lifelong dream when Texas A&M catcher Jackson Appel inked his name to join the Chicago White Sox. Jackson transferred in from Penn, where he was a two-time All-Ivy League Team selection and started all 50 games this junior season.

The Chicago White Sox selected him in the sixth round with the 169th pick. The unique aspect of the MLB draft is that players can remain in college even with name and image and not have to sign if picked. In the likeness licensing era, it makes sense to weigh the option of staying in college longer or hitting the minor league circuit.

Appel came to Aggieland and solidified his spot behind the plate. The catcher plays a quarterback-like role on the baseball field. He took control of this responsibility and earned the team’s trust early. A&M fans appreciate his time in Bryan-College Station and would like to congratulate Jackson Appel on his selection.

 

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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 SS Ali Camarillo signs with the Oakland Athletics

Texas A&M SS Ali Camarillo officially joins the Athletics organization by signing his contract

In his single season at Texas A&M, shortstop Ali Camarillo made an impression early and locked up the starting spot. He was a wizard while playing in the infield and was solid in the batters’ box. However, toward the end of the season, he struggled and that probably contributed to him dropping a round or so in the draft.

He was taken by the Oakland Athletics in the 12th round with the 346th pick. The unique aspect of the MLB draft is that players do not have to sign and can remain in college even if picked. In the name, image and likeness licensing era, it makes a lot of sense to weigh the option of staying in college longer or hitting the minor league circuit.

Camarillo made his choice, and his time in Aggieland has come to an end. He decided to sign a contract and start his pro journey. He signed for $250,000 with $100,000 coming out of the bonus pool. Making it to the majors is a childhood dream for most kids who pick up a bat, and we would like to congratulate Ali Camarillo for his selection.

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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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Ali Camarillo selected 346th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2024 MLB Draft

Texas A&M shortstop Ali Camarillo has been selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 2024 MLB Draft

The eighth Texas A&M baseball player from the talented 2024 roster has been selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, as starting shortstop Ali Camarillo, a California transplant, could be headed back to the Golden State after the Oakland Athletics picked with the 346th overall selection.

Camarillo still has the option of returning to the program for what would be his final collegiate season, but as of right now, expect the smooth operator to start his journey in the minors before (hopefully) making the big league roster. A former Little League World Series star, Camarillo’s Aggie career was short but highly memorable.

Helping the best team in Texas A&M baseball history make it all the way to the College World Series Finals for the first time in program history, the junior hit .288 with 72 hits, 36 RBIs, and seven home runs on the year. At the same time, his elite defensive skills will surely play a factor in what could be a fast rise through the minors.

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Evan Aschenbeck selected 392nd overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2024 MLB Draft

Texas A&M star closer Evan Aschenbeck is officially off the MLB Draft board

While it’s not definite, it looks like Texas A&M star closer Evan Aschenbeck will be headed to Chicago to pursue his professional playing career, as the Chicago Cubs selected the Aggie senior with the 392nd pick in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft.

With his selection, Aschenbeck is now the seventh Aggie taken in the draft, and for good reason. After being named Stopper of the Year at the conclusion of the 2024 regular season, Aschenbeck was nearly unhittable on the mound during the Aggie’s postseason run to the College World Series Finals.

After the hiring of new Texas A&M head coach Michael Earley, it was reported that Aschenbeck, who was always expected to go late in the draft, was applying for an extra year of eligibility, which is still currently in flux.

If this was indeed his last season with the program, the Brenham, Texas native finished the year in style with a 6-1 record, 10 saves, 87 strikeouts, and a NCAA-leading 1.78 ERA.

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