COLLEGE STATION — For the first time since its season ended in the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Ala., Texas A&M baseball is back on the field.
The Aggies hosted Sam Houston on Friday for a 12-inning scrimmage, its first of the fall.
The offseason conversation around A&M is quite different this year compared to last year, when the Aggies were seen as the consensus No. 1 team in the country. Now, head coach Michael Earley and A&M aim to rebound from a 30-26 finish in 2025 that caused them to miss the postseason.
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Twelve players were added to the roster through the transfer portal, while 25 players have left the program either via the portal, expiring eligibility or through the MLB draft. Several of the new additions were on display for the first time Friday.
Here are five takeaways from the action:
AUSTIN, TX – APRIL 25: Texas A&M utility Terrence Kiel II (3) strikes out during the SEC college baseball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on April 25, 2025, at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
5 takeaways from Texas A&M baseball scrimmage
Weston Moss poised for increased role
Weston Moss appears set to become one of A&M’s key starting pitchers in 2026. Moss was the Aggies’ high-leverage reliever last season, finishing the year with a 6-3 record and 3.19 ERA on two starts and 22 appearances. The 6-foot-4 right-hander was strong in his lone inning Friday night, striking out two of the three batters he saw.
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Moss consistently sat in the mid-90s with his fastball and looked sharp during his limited innings, mixing good command with his off-speed pitches.
Early indication is that junior Shane Sdao, who is recovering from a ligament injury that required surgery on his throwing arm, and Moss will compete this offseason to be the Friday starter. Sdao went into last season as a potential MLB draft pick after a 2024 where he finished 5-1, with a 2.96 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and two saves on 20 appearances. He underwent surgery in September and missed the entire 2025 season.
Regardless of who gets the nod on Fridays, both appear to be penciled in for weekend roles.
Potential youth movement for Aggies in 2026
Understanding that it’s just a scrimmage and taking it with a grain of salt, it’s worth mentioning that A&M started three freshmen: shortstop Boston Kellner, third baseman Nico Partida and designated hitter Jorian Wilson.
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According to Perfect Game, Kellner was the 69th-ranked player in the 2025 recruiting class while Partida was 40th and Wilson 373rd. In total, A&M brought in eight freshmen.
Partida made a great impression, hitting a three-run homer and adding a single, driving in four runs Friday. Wilson collected two hits and was hit by a pitch, driving in two runs with his base knocks. Kellner added a single as well.
A&M had success last season with freshman standout Terrence Kiel II, who started on opening day. Kiel finished the year with a .294 batting average and 59 hits in 56 games.
It remains to be seen which youngsters will stand out from a group that includes 19 upperclassmen.
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A&M’s bullpen looks strong
Earley was clear that several pitchers would get work Friday night. Moss pitching one inning led to junior Clayton Freshcorn taking the mound in the second, followed by sophomore Aiden Sims pitching in the third and fourth. Newcomers Ethan Darden and MJ Bollinger got the ball in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively. The group allowed one hit, striking out five in total, and retiring the Bearkats in order in two of the five innings.
The relief arms that threw could be an early glimpse of what might be the core of A&M’s bullpen next season.
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Aggies’ offense slow to start, found footing late
Continuing a theme from 2025, A&M’s offense was struggling early on. Despite solid power numbers, A&M ranked last in the SEC in batting average (.260), 13th in on-base percentage (.377) and 13th in runs (395). A&M went hitless in Friday’s first four innings, going down in order in the first three with five strikeouts.
The Aggies eventually found their way, scoring five runs in the fifth inning and adding three more in the sixth to take an 8-0 lead into the seventh.
However, the Aggies ended the night with nine strikeouts and didn’t get a hit until the productive fifth inning when newcomer Jake Duer lined a single up the middle. They finished with 14 hits, with much of the offense coming late in the game as the Bearkats went deep into their bullpen.
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The Aggies must replace star outfielder Jace LaViolette, who was selected in the first round by the Cleveland Guardians after leaving as the program’s all-time home run leader. Additionally, last year’s hits leader, Wyatt Hensler, with 67 hits, is now with the Washington Nationals organization.
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New Aggies leaders emerging
With fan favorite and team captain Hayden Schott no longer eligible, and some key players from recent years moving on to MLB and other ventures, a new leadership group is needed. In the early stage, Gavin Grahovac and Caden Sorrell have taken it upon themselves, along with Kiel, who remains one of the most personable players on the team. Grahovac returns after missing all but six games last season with a shoulder injury; He was the SEC freshman of the year in 2024.
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Grahovac and Sorrell were seen leading the team in stretching lines and breaking huddles before games. Kiel was observed practicing handshakes with several teammates and making others smile and laugh.
Earley begins Year 2 as the club’s head coach and may have already established leaders in the clubhouse to lean on in 2025. It doesn’t hurt that those three players just might be the best on the team.
As fall baseball ends soon and the regular season nears, emerging leadership will be crucial for the Aggies’ program, which aims to return to the postseason.
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Next up for the Aggies is their final fall scrimmage at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, in College Station.
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com. Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best content with this tremendous offer.