Just two days after the conclusion of the 2026 MLB Draft, where eight Texas A&M players were selected, including infielder Chris Hacopian going 11th overall to the Washington Nationals, one of the program’s rising stars heard his name called in the second-to-last round, as junior reliever and RHP Clayton Freshcorn was selected 564th overall in the 19th round by the St. Louis Cardinals.
While Aggie fans sweated out his final decision to pursue an MLB career or return to College Station for a final season, Freshcorn weighed his options and likely came to the conclusion that missing out on the opportunity to further improve before ultimately pursuing the MLB was the smartest option, especially with former MLB pitching coach Barry Enright taking over as the Aggies’ new pitching coach this offseason.
Losing starting pitchers Shane Sdao and Weston Moss wasn’t surprising given their MLB potential, while six of Texas A&M’s seven transfer pitchers bring immense potential to a rotation in need of talent, and Enright’s development background should result in a lower team ERA, which finished at 5.24.
Freshcorn’s return makes him the likely Friday night starter, while incoming junior LHP Aiden Sims, who is set to return after offseason surgery, brings experience as a Friday or Saturday starter, having served as the team’s ace for much of the 2026 campaign before his season-ending injury.
Freshcorn’s 2.82 ERA and 56 strikeouts over 54.1 innings made him one of the most dangerous closers in college baseball, while his starting potential was evident during Texas A&M’s loss to USC, when he lasted 6 innings.2 innings with 5 strikeouts, but couldn’t secure the victory despite the Aggies’ offensive struggles.
Texas A&M’s pitching rotation will now include Jarret Williams (Lamar), Johnny Nuanaz (Wichita State), Wade Cooper (Texas State), Trent Collier (Oklahoma), Logan Prisco (South Carolina), Caleb Kimble (Houston), while UNLV transfer Jase Evangelista is expected to sign with the Red Sox after Boston selected him in the 14th round.
Another name to remember is LHP Caden McCoy, who, before going down with an injury, was expected to compete for a starting role, which will likely be the case yet again this fall. All in all, Freshcorn’s return solidifies the Aggies as an NCAA Tournament contender.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M’s pitching staff looks set with Clayton Freshcorn back
Reporting by Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire | USA TODAY Network
