Last week, I wrote in an article that Texas A&M coach Michael Earley should pursue Texas State freshman pitcher Wade Cooper, who is coming off an impressive inaugural campaign, finishing the season with a 4.72 ERA, 66.2 innings pitched, 73 strikeouts, and five saves. After Earley fired second-year pitching coach Jason Kelley, the Aggies are looking to keep most of their pitching rotation, aside from those with expired eligibility.
Texas A&M’s pitching wasn’t all bad, as sophomore ace Aiden Sims took a significant step forward, paired with middle reliever Gavin Lyons, who also looked the part, junior closer Clayton Freshcorn played like the program’s top arm at the end of the year, and gave the Aggies a chance to advance in the NCAA Tournament if it weren’t for Earley and Kelly keeping him in too long vs. USC.
While losing the College Station Regional was not the plan, Earely deserves some grace for leading the Aggies back to the postseason after missing the tournament during his first season at the helm. Knowing that he’ll likely lose star juniors Caden Sorrell, Gavin Grahovac, and Chris Hacopian to the 2026 MLB Draft, Earley landed key commitments from TCU transfer Jack Bell and former Western Kentucky infielder Lane Arroyos and will likely shift his transfer focus to pitching, especially after hiring a new pitching coach.
If Earley can land Wade Cooper, which On3 insider Pete Nakos revealed could be the case, this could create a momentum boost that leads to a flood of pitcher commits, but that might depend on who the Aggies hire as Jason Kelley’s replacement. Either way, this is a good sign that Texas A&M is making progress with one of the top transfer arms.
“Sources tell On3 that Texas A&M has emerged as a school to watch in Wade Cooper’s recruitment. The Aggies are still in the process of hiring a pitching coach, which will play a role in Cooper’s decision. Cooper just finished his freshman season at Texas State with a 4.72 ERA, five saves in 66.2 innings pitched and 73 strikeouts.”
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M is reportedly ‘in the mix’ for Texas State transfer pitcher
Reporting by Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire | USA TODAY Network
