Texas A&M second baseman makes Baseball America's NCAA 'Freaks List'

USA Today

09-05-2025

Texas A&M second baseman makes Baseball America's NCAA 'Freaks List'
Texas A&M's 2025 baseball season is composed of too many storylines to count, but the rise of several unknowns on the roster, led by former Rice second baseman Ben Royo, has led to the Aggies late-season run that has them close to making the postseason despite sitting 14th in the SEC standings.
As we all know, it takes a team effort in baseball to get past any losing streak, and while stars Caden Sorrell, Jace LaViolette, and Wyatt Henseler remain the big-time names in the lineup, Royo's offense, especially in clutch situations, has led to several wins, while keeping the Aggies in nearly every game when the offense failed to collectively produce.
For some, this is surprising given his poor 2024 season with the Owls after hitting .184. However, after Gavin Grahovac's season-ending injury, the lineup permanently changed, and the Corpus Christi native took full advantage of the opportunity head coach Michael Earley provided him.
What's even more surprising is how the national college baseball media views Royo, as Baseball America placed him 4th on their NCAA "Freak List" featuring players with the most outstanding metrics in the country.
"Texas A&M's starting second baseman in recent weeks, Royo continued his torrid stretch at the plate with one of the more productive weeks of any hitter in the country, batting .385 (5-for-13) with three home runs, a double, a triple, 10 RBIs and five runs scored while posting a 6.05 wRCE.
A transfer from Rice, Royo has transformed into a true offensive spark plug for an Aggies team clawing its way back into the postseason picture. He's now hit safely in eight of nine games since April 18, raising his season batting average from the mid .240s to an even .300. With a bat that's shown both power and improved plate discipline, Royo is fast becoming one of the catalysts behind Texas A&M's late-season push."
Royo's batting average sits at .300, and since facing the Texas Longhorns two weeks ago, he has produced 11 hits and continues to hit above his average against LSU. It's hard to disagree that Royo has been the team's primary catalyst outside of Caden Sorrell, and if the Aggies make it to the postseason, Royo's stellar play could lead Texas A&M to a deep run.
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