(KBTX) – With the possibility of losing six pitchers from last year’s team, the Texas A&M baseball team needed to make pitching a priority in the transfer portal this offseason.
The program saw the first results of that effort Friday with the commitment of Wichita State right-handed pitcher Johnny Nuanez, a rising senior, who announced his commitment on social media.
In one season with the Shockers, Nuanez recorded a 6-2 record and a 2.56 ERA in 56.1 innings pitched and 12 starts. He recorded 58 strikeouts while issuing 20 walks. Most importantly, he only gave up three home runs on the season, an issue for last season’s Aggie pitching staff. He spent the majority of the season as Wichita State’s Sunday starter.
The San Diego native began his collegiate career with two seasons at Grossmont College, where he collected an 8-6 record and a 6.14 ERA in 114.1 innings. He earned first-team All-Pacific Coast Athletic Conference honors after his sophomore season with the Griffins.
Nuanez committed a day after A&M announced the hiring of a new pitching coach, the former Athletics’ pitching coordinator, Barry Enright.
The Aggies will most likely need to replace two weekend starters, with both Shane Sdao and Weston Moss eligible for the 2026 MLB draft. Closer Clayton Freshcorn, who started the Aggies’ final game of the season, is also eligible for the draft.
A&M also loses pitchers Ethan Darden, Grant Cunningham and Josh Stewart due to expired eligibility.
In 2026, the Aggie pitching staff struggled, finishing 84th in the nation in ERA (5.24) and tying Arkansas for first in the SEC in home runs allowed with 90. However, the Aggies were eighth in the country in strikeout-to-walk ratio at 3.21.
The Aggies will welcome 13 players from the high school and junior college ranks to the 2027 squad.
Nuanez is the third commitment the Aggies have received from the portal, following TCU infielder Jack Bell and Western Kentucky first baseman Lane Arroyos.
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