Texas A&M - May 9-11
For the second week in a row, the Tigers face a team that made it to the Supers, but this one went on to win and reach the College World Series. The Aggies, coming off a stellar 53-15 (19-11) season, were the runner-ups in 2024, falling to Tennessee in a winner-take-all Game 3 of the National Championship. New head coach Michael Earley has a lot to live up to following last season's success, but he may be up to the challenge.
Offensively, the Aggies will look very similar to their 2024 lineup, returning many key players. While they did lose some important pieces, including their OPS leader from last season and their starting catcher, they managed to keep several crucial contributors.
Leading the way again will be Hayden Schott, who led the team in batting average in 2024 at .335, as well as the two players on the Golden Spikes Watch List: Jace LaViolette, who hit 29 home runs and posted a .726 SLG%, and Gavin Grahovac, who earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors in 2024 after hitting 23 homers and 16 doubles.
Several other returners will help round out the lineup, but there are also new faces that will provide a boost. Transfers like Gavin Kash (Texas Tech), Jamal George (Alabama State), and Wyett Henseler (Penn) will be key additions, along with freshmen such as Sawyer Farr and Terrence Kiel II, who could see significant playing time in 2025.
The pitching side may pose some challenges for the Aggies in 2025. After losing four arms to the draft (almost five) and more to graduation and transfers, several players will need to step up and take on larger roles this season.
Leading the staff once again will be standout Ryan Prager, who is also on the Golden Spikes list. After finishing 2024 with a 2.95 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 19 starts, Prager was drafted in the third round but chose to return for his final year. Behind him, the Aggies will also get back their number two starter, Justin Lamkin, who started 16 games and posted a 5.21 ERA.
For the third starter, they lost their main option to the draft, but had several arms make starts in his place last season, with seven other pitchers making at least one start. Most of those pitchers will stay in the bullpen, which remains strong with several returners from what was an excellent bullpen in 2024. Notable returners include Brad Rudis, who posted a 2.55 ERA in 24 appearances (two starts), Shane Sdao, who had a 2.96 ERA in 20 appearances (five starts), and Josh Stewart, who finished with a 4.26 ERA in 25 appearances. These pitchers will be joined by new additions, including transfers, who are expected to provide key contributions.
Grant Cunningham (Washington), Myles Patton (Long Beach State), and Clayton Freshcorn (McLennan), along with freshmen like Gavin Lyons, will look to make an impact in either the rotation or the bullpen. These new additions will help bolster the Aggies' pitching staff as they navigate the 2025 season.
Guys to look for:
- Caden Sorrell
- Matt Bergevin
- Ty Baker