Latest news with #Earley
USA Today
15 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M's biggest needs from the transfer portal ahead of the 2026 season
Texas A&M's biggest needs from the transfer portal ahead of the 2026 season With the news that Texas A&M will retain head baseball coach Michael Earely, Athletic Director Trev Alberts is taking a risk, but feels that the young skipper is the right choice for the future, knowing that at 37 years of age, Earley has alot to prove, starting with utilizing the transfer portal, which officially opens on Monday. Texas A&M's talented 2025 roster never lived up to expectations this season, starting with star outfielder Jace LaViolette, who failed to find consistency at the plate despite breaking the program's home run record. However, LaViolette, like 12 other players, still have eligibility remaining heading into the 2026 season, providing Earley a cushion while looking for more depth and starting talent in the portal. Here are the 2025 roster members who are eligible to return in 2026: Pitchers: Ryan Prager Justin Lamkin Myles Patton Weston Moss Shane Sdao Kaiden Wilson Luke Jackson Josh Stewart Infield/Oufield: SS Kaeden Kent 1B Blake Binderup OF Jace LaViolette 2B Ben Royo Utility Jamal George 2025 MLB Draft potential: Jace LaViolette, Ryan Prager, Justin Lamkin, and Shane Sdao are considered MLB prospects ahead of this summer's draft. According to but right now LaViolette (15th), Lamkin (110th), and Sdao (113th) are the only Aggies to make the rankings, as Prager, who was selected 81st overall by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2024 MLB Draft, did not make the cut. Texas A&M's most significant needs in the transfer portal: On paper, the news that relievers Clayton Freshcorn and Caden McCoy is great news for a bullpen that began to look the part late in the season, and combined with the starters, especially Justin Lamkin's solid end to the season, Texas A&M finished 22nd in ERA (4.30) third in strikeout-run ratio (3.31) and 12th in WHIP (1.27), all impressive given the early struggles. However, suppose Prager, Lamkin, and possibly Shane Sdao declare for the MLB Draft. In that case, the Aggies will be in trouble if Earley doesn't immediately fill the pitching void, which would force Weston Moss and several young arms into the starting lineup. Offensively, losing first baseman Gavin Kash isn't detrimental, given Blake Binderup's likely return. Additionally, Kaeden Kent and Ben Royo are also slated to return, although they have not yet announced their final decisions. If both players do leave, freshman Sawyer Farr, who struggled during the season, will likely make his way into the infield after hitting .176 with four RBI and 37 strikeouts as a part-time outfielder during the latter half of the year. Defensively, the Aggies finished 73rd nationally in infield defense, which included 49 errors, leading to multiple losses in conference play. This issue must be addressed through coaching and portal additions. Lastly, as GigEm247's Carter Karels noted in his recent piece, Texas A&M's offense was largely ineffective for most of the year, aside from its explosive efforts in series wins against Tennessee, Arkansas, and South Carolina. Ending the year ranked 259th in batting average (.260), which was also dead last in the SEC at 16th. With Wyatt Henseler gone and Jace LaVolette likely leaving for the draft, this puts the pressure on incoming junior outfielder Caden Sorrell, who, despite missing the first half of the 2025 season, finished hitting .337 with 32 hits and 12 home runs on the year. Paired with impressive freshman Terrence Kiel II and returning sophomore third baseman Gavin Grahovac, the Aggies are in decent shape, but if contending for an NCAA Tournament bid is the goal, more power at the plate is needed from the portal. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M Baseball 2025 Transfer Portal Tracker
Texas A&M Baseball 2025 Transfer Portal Tracker It's been a whirlwind 2025 season for the Texas A&M baseball team, filled with ups and downs that ultimately led to a disappointing finish. After becoming the first preseason No. 1 team in decades to miss the NCAA Tournament, first-year head coach Michael Earley's job was in question for weeks. However, Texas A&M athletic director Trev Alberts announced that Earley would be retained, though changes were on the horizon. One of those changes came in the coaching staff, with fielding coach Will Fox being the first to be let go. Fox spent six seasons in Aggieland, but given the number of errors on seemingly routine plays, the Aggies felt it was time to move in a different direction. More staffing changes could follow, and the same uncertainty applies to the roster. While several players have already committed to returning under Earley for the 2026 season, others will inevitably depart for personal reasons. Entering the transfer portal does not necessarily mean a player is leaving, but starting the process early offers the best chance of finding a new team. To help keep track, here is the updated transfer portal tracker of who is going and who is coming. Entered Portal: Kyrin LeBlanc - Pitcher - Junior Nathan Tobin - Outfield - Freshman Hayden Crites - Catcher - Freshman Committed / Returning to A&M: Gavin Grahovac - Infield - Sophomore Terrence Kiel II - Outfield - Freshman Clayton Freshcorn - Pitcher - Sophomore Caden McCoy - Pitcher - Freshman Bear Harrison - Catcher - Sophomore Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Aggie fans and media react to Texas A&M retaining coach Michael Earley for the 2026 season
Aggie fans and media react to Texas A&M retaining coach Michael Earley for the 2026 season After weeks of speculation, Texas A&M Athletics Director Trev Alberts has confirmed that head baseball coach Michael Earley will return in 2026. This was undoubtedly a tough conversation between the two, and while we are not privy to the details, we can assume that changes will be made. It would be hard to justify running it back with the exact same staff, whether that means adding to it or replacing some members. Despite the challenges this season, they have done an excellent job recruiting and has assembled a talented 2026 class alongside a solid core of returning players, including: Gavin Grahovac Caden Sorrell Terrance Kiel II Shane Sdao In a statement released by Texas A&M's AD, one of the key quotes that stood out was: "I appreciate Mike's work in taking a holistic view of what changes need to be made so that we have a baseball program that meets our high standards." Take that for what it is, but the decision has sparked a range of reactions across the college baseball world. After missing the NCAA tournament Michael Earley keeps his job Changes will need to be made on the staff Now we can finally move on Robert Behrens doesn't miss It's been a crazy few weeks in Aggieland There are mixed feelings but the support wont waver for everyone The decision seems neutral, but it's a good look for future coaches who might struggle early in their Aggie tenure Some fans believe it was the correct choice hands down Others absolutely hate the idea Giving Earley another does come as a surprise if you consider all the hiccups this season One of the most common themes was this being a risky move for A&M AD Trev Alberts Earley should be on a short leash next season The players and recruits that want him to stay now need to show up big next season While fans are mixed on the decision, there is no question the players are still all in on coach Earley Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M star freshman OF announces his return for the 2026 baseball season
Texas A&M star freshman OF announces his return for the 2026 baseball season 'I'm not going anywhere. I'm coming back. I want to be at Texas A&M and play for Coach Earley.' — Terrence Kiel II — Ryan Brauninger (@R_Brauninger) May 30, 2025 With the news that Texas A&M Athletic Director Trev Alberts will retain head baseball coach Michael Earley heading into the 2026 season, two players have announced their return, starting with sophomore third baseman Gavin Grahovac, who missed all but six games last season due to his season-ending injury. Just minutes after Grahovac told TexAgs analyst Ryan Brauninger that he will return next season in full health, ready to re-establish himself as one of the faces of the program, standout freshman outfielder Terrence Kiel Jr., son of the late Texas A&M star safety Terrence Kiel, also spoke to Brauninger, and was excited to announce that he will also return next season. 'I'm not going anywhere. I'm coming back. I want to be at Texas A&M and play for Coach Earley.' Both these returns are unsurprising given the roster's dedication to Michael Earley, which was vocalized by junior outfielder Jace LaViolette, who, after the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals loss to LSU, stated "I'd die for him and it's not only me" about Earley's uncertain future with the program just once week ago. While LaViolette, who played against the Tigers with a broken hand, will likely declare for the 2025 MLB Draft, there is still a possibility that he could return for a final season in College Station, but that dream is improbable. For Kiel, his 2025 freshman season was one to remember and is likely just the start of a memorable Aggie career after hitting .294 with 59 hits, 26 RBI, two home runs, and 12 steals on the year. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M star third baseman will reportedly return for the 2026 season
Texas A&M star third baseman will reportedly return for the 2026 season Friday's news was both positive and negative for the Texas A&M fan base after Athletic Director Trev Alberts announced that first-year head baseball coach Michael Earley will return for a second season in 2026, following the Aggies' 30-26 and 11-19 records in SEC play. This was a surprise to many given Texas A&M's bizarre season, which included early non-conference losses combined with three consecutive SEC series losses before the Aggies randomly found their footing, winning series against Tennessee (road), South Carolina, Arkansas, and LSU, before last-place Missouri shockingly swept A&M in Blue Bell Park. The loss to the Tigers ultimately ended the Aggies' postseason hopes, following their defeat to Georgia at the end of the regular season. Despite wins over Mississippi State and Auburn in the SEC Tournament, Texas A&M was eliminated from the postseason after a close 4-3 loss to LSU, casting doubt on Earley's future. This week, Trev Alberts stated that he would "evaluate" Earley's performance during his rookie coaching season, concluding that the injuries the team dealt with at the plate and on the mound ultimately proved too much to handle, which included star sophomore third baseman Gavin Grahovac. With the news that Michael Earley will stay in College Station, Grahovac reportedly told TexAgs analyst Ryan Brauninger that he will officially return next season after serving as the program's first base coach towards the end of the year, while continuing to rehab, and will be in full health going into the winter months. Before his injury, Grahovac recorded five hits and two home runs in six games, hitting .227 at the plate. This is just the start of the future return announcement, with Earley's return finalized. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
