FARGO — Fargo-Moorhead has produced a fair share of NCAA Division I baseball prospects over the last few years.
Caden Nelson is the next in that line.
The right-handed ace for Fargo South and Fargo Post 2 announced his commitment to Texas A&M via social media Tuesday night.
“(A&M) was the best school that was able to combine everything that I was looking for in a college,” Nelson told The Forum. “The social aspect of it too with Texas A&M having one of the largest alumni networks in the country … and also just having those top-rated facilities and development.
“And just the people that I’m going to spend all my time with are definitely going to be a big part of it too. That’s kind of what I was looking for.”
I am proud to announce my commitment to Texas A&M University to continue my Academic and Athletic career. Thank you to all that have helped me along this journey to get me where I am. Without you, this dream wouldn’t be possible. LET’S GO AGGIES! #GIGEM pic.twitter.com/i3fibJJJug
— Caden Nelson (@Caden_Nelson13) December 3, 2025
Standing at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Nelson is the No. 2-ranked recruit in the Dakotas for the Class of 2027
per rankings put out by independent scouting service Prep Baseball.
The Aggies compete in the Southeastern Conference — widely considered the toughest conference in college baseball. The SEC has produced the last six College World Series national champions and has put a school in the best-of-three final each year since 2017.
A&M finished runner-up to Tennessee in 2024 and has advanced to the College World Series eight times. The Aggies finished the 2025 campaign 30-26 overall, falling to eventual national champion Louisiana State in the SEC quarterfinals.
Nelson said he received five D-I offers including A&M, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota State and Illinois Chicago.
The challenging competition seen in the SEC played a role in Nelson’s decision.
“When you get an opportunity like this to play in the best conference in college baseball, it’s hard to not take an opportunity like that when it presents itself,” Nelson said. “You want to go as far as you can in your baseball career, and if that’s the best opportunity to do it, why would it not make sense to take that offer and go play with the best of the best and truly challenge yourself?”
Fargo South catcher Henry Schrum and pitcher Caden Nelson end an inning against Fargo Shanley on Monday, May 5, 2025, at Fargo Davies Field.
David Samson / The Forum
As a sophomore for South last season, Nelson finished with a 5-1 record on the mound to go with 48 strikeouts and an earned run average of 2.00. Nelson’s numbers earned him both an all-conference and all-state nod while helping the Bruins to an 18-13 record and their first Class A state tournament appearance since 2016.
“Caden has been starting for us at South since he was a freshman,” South head coach Nathan Sillerud said. “I knew he was a special talent when I met him. He immediately made an impact for us in every aspect of the game.”
Sillerud said Nelson has made “tremendous” strides with his physical abilities. His ERA and strikeout numbers vastly improved from his freshman to sophomore seasons.
“To have a kid like (Nelson) on your team is a coach’s dream,” Sillerud said. “He is a very dependable, respectful, hard-working student-athlete. Easy to coach, positive attitude, great teammate, mature and determined.
“Having a kid like Caden on your team gives everyone around him confidence in those crucial situations. Especially when he’s pitching.”
Following the high school season, Nelson helped Fargo Post 2 to a 38-10 record that included a perfect 7-0 on the rubber. Nelson’s American Legion campaign saw him put up an ERA of 1.19 to go with 53 strikeouts.
“It’s certainly valuable for us and the pitching rotation,” Post 2 head coach Luke Rustad said. “I mean, when he’s capable of throwing, he gives us a chance to win every time he’s on the mound. And he’s also just valuable in the community, where kids can kind of look at and see what a kid like him can do and where the future can lie if you put in the work and have the talent to play at the next level.”
Doubling as the head coach at Fargo Shanley, Rustad has had the opportunity to coach against Nelson during the high school season as well, which has only allowed him to see Nelson’s competitive drive even more.
“The measurables with the velocity on his fastball along with multiple pitches, he’s able to change speeds and locate pretty well,” Rustad said. “Again with the fastball, upper 80s to low 90s, makes him extremely tough to hit.
“He’s really competitive and he wants the ball in those situations as well. Just having the mindset he has, where he wants to be on the mound in those big moments, is another reason why he’s so successful.”
Fargo Post 2’s Caden Nelson pitches to Fargo Post 400 on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Starion Field in Fargo.
Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum
Nelson’s pitching arsenal includes a fastball, slider, change-up and cutter. According to Prep Baseball, his fastball tops out at 92 miles per hour which ranks top in the Dakotas for the 2027 class.
Nelson’s development has been a surprise even to himself, noting that he was roughly 160 pounds with his fastball topping out at 85 just a year ago.
“I could probably get up to 84 or 85 miles per hour with D-I aspects on the horizon, but definitely not in a clear picture for sure,” Nelson said. “This is definitely a big shock for me, kind of seeing my development over the course of the last year and being able to accomplish something that I’ve been working for. I’m just really thankful for this opportunity.”
Nelson said he was offered by the Aggies on Day 1 of his recruiting process. Following a campus visit, he made his decision official after calling to inform the A&M coaching staff on Monday.
“I went down there and met with all of the coaches,” Nelson said. “I went to a football game and loved everything (about campus). I felt a real connection with their pitching coach, which is a big part of who I’ll spend most of my time with.
“There was a connection there that just felt right that I did not feel with the other visits that I went on. That was a main decision as to why I landed my commitment at Texas A&M.”
Nelson said he hopes to study financial accounting at A&M.
Nelson joins West Fargo Horace’s Cason Borchardt (Oregon), Fargo North’s Charlie Kalbrener (Dallas Baptist), West Fargo Sheyenne’s Hudson Dinger (NDSU) and Northern Cass’ Trey Husar (South Dakota State) as recent D-I baseball prospects to emerge from the metro area.
Davies’ Drew Rerick (Oklahoma) and Jaxon Beiswenger (Bucknell), Sheyenne’s Caleb Duerr (SDSU) and Shanley’s Tommy Simon (NDSU) have also entered the D-I ranks in recent years.
Nelson said the metro’s ability to pump out prospects begins with those in the local baseball scene — players and coaches alike — having the urge to get better.
“I think it’s the people we have here in Fargo,” Nelson said. “People who are able to work with the younger athletes and truly pass down that development that started with some of the older guys.
“I think that’s something that helped me too is learning from these people that truly have aspirations to do great things. And then you follow those aspirations … I think that’s what we’re seeing a lot of in the Fargo-Moorhead area. It’s people truly wanting to accomplish these types of things and we’re seeing it happen more and more which is great to see.”
Fargo South’s Caden Nelson celebrates at second base after hitting a double against Fargo Shanley on Monday, May 5, 2025, at Fargo Davies Field.
David Samson / The Forum