With all the former Texas A&M baseball players balling out in the minor leagues this summer, one name has been noticeably missing: Jace LaViolette.

During last season’s SEC Tournament, A&M needed to reach at least the championship game to have a shot at the postseason. After a win over Mississippi State, they faced Auburn in the second round and came away victorious, but LaViolette took a pitch to the hand that sidelined him for the rest of the game.

Initial reports suggested he’d miss the remainder of the season, but as the day progressed, news began to trickle out that he might return for the SEC quarterfinal matchup against LSU.

Sure enough, when the game started, LaViolette was back in the dugout, ready to battle with his team. Even with a broken hand, he went 1-for-3 and drove in two runs in a losing effort to LSU, closing out his college career. When asked about his decision to tough it out, he said:

“I think everybody in my position would have done the same thing”

The all-time Texas A&M home run leader was ultimately selected 27th overall by the Cleveland Guardians, a front office that fell in love with his competitive spirit and magnetic personality.

“He has a really big personality. He’s engaging. He is funny, He’s a person that really always talks about being a real competitor. He talks about winning all the time. He’s also known as a great teammate. “He’s always there for his guys. … Just an extreme competitor, and we’re super excited to have him.” – Paul Gillispie, the Guardians’ senior vice president of scouting

LaViolette was once rated the No. 1 MLB prospect, but after a rough 2025 campaign and a hand injury, his draft stock dipped slightly. That made him one of the steals of the draft, still possessing the tools a team can nurture once he’s healthy.

The key now is his recovery. Around draft time, he underwent a cleanup procedure on his left hand and is currently rehabbing at the Guardians’ facility in Arizona. Due to the second surgery, it’ll be a while before he returns to the diamond. He’s grateful the Guardians took a chance on him in the first round, knowing he’d be sidelined for a stretch, and he can’t wait to get back on the field.

When that time comes, we’ll be here to document his journey to the majors.

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