COLLEGE STATION — Less than a week before opening day, Texas A&M baseball welcomed fans to Blue Bell Park for the first time in 2026.
An open scrimmage Saturday was the first on-field step toward putting last year’s disappointing season in the rearview. A&M finished 30-26 overall, placing 14th in the conference after being named a consensus No.1 in every preseason poll.
The Aggies were picked by the SEC coaches to finish 13th this season and enter the year with far different expectations than from a year ago. But they welcomed a slew of impressive freshmen and transfers to the roster and returned some key pieces from injury.
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Texas A&M infielder Chris Hacopian practices Aug. 28, 2025 in College Station.
Sydney Stevenson/Sydney Stevenson/Texas A&M Athletics
Although it wasn’t a traditional full nine-inning affair, the Aggies used Saturday as the final dress rehearsal for an important second season under head coach Michael Earley.
Here are three takeaways from the action:
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Texas A&M baseball: 3 takeaways from Aggies open scrimmage
Is Gavin Grahovac in line for a position change?
After playing only six games in 2025 due to a shoulder injury, a key question is whether Gavin Grahovac, the former SEC freshman of the year, can round back into form this season.
If Saturday is any indication, the A&M slugger appears to be right on schedule.
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Grahovac led off the open scrimmage with an 111 mph home run off the left field foul pole. He finished the day 1-for-3 from the plate, with a flyout to center field and a dribbler back to the pitcher after getting jammed.
However, what may have been the most interesting thing about Grahovac’s day was that he started at first base. The California native has spent his first two collegiate seasons at third base.
He looked comfortable, digging out a couple of low throws. He did commit an error when he misjudged a pop fly that drifted back into play. But overall, it was a solid first look at the junior at his potentially new spot.
Potential battle for Sunday starter
With expected Friday and Saturday starters Shane Sdao and Weston Moss throwing earlier in the week, fans in attendance were treated to a pitching duel that could potentially settle the Sunday starter role.
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Aiden Sims pitched for the white squad, while Clayton Freshcorn took the bump for the maroon team. Both pitchers looked strong. Sims, a right-hander, went five innings, allowing no runs, three hits, and a walk while striking out seven.
Freshcorn’s task was a bit harder, facing the white squad lineup, which included several of the projected starting position players. Freshcorn battled the likes of Grahovac, center fielder Caden Sorrell, infielder Chris Hacopian and others.
The Aggies’ right-hander finished the day by throwing four innings, allowing one run on three hits and no walks.
2 freshmen infield starters?
Things can certainly change, but with four returning starters, along with Hacopian and transfer outfielder Jake Duer in the white squad lineup, Earley may have tipped his hand on what the Aggies’ opening-day starting nine could look like next weekend.
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If it holds true, that lineup would include two highly touted freshmen: third baseman Nico Partida and shortstop Boston Kellner.
Partida enters the season as Perfect Games’ No. 40-ranked player in the 2025 class. Kellner is ranked 69th.
If both are in the mix to start, it makes sense that Earley and Co. have opted to put Grahovac at first base, allowing A&M to start a young third baseman who was first-team All-State three years in a row.
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Both looked smooth in the field. Kellner had a pair of loud outs hit to the outfield; Partida had a tougher time at the dish but worked a high count in a couple of his at-bats.
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com.