Texas A&M Aggies
Overall Rank: #7
Conference Rank: #2 Big 12
The Aggies reached the College World Series for the fifth time in program history in 2011. The school’s 109th season was a banner one. Texas A&M won both the Big 12 regular season and tournament crowns. Head Coach Rob Childress has put the Aggies on a path to be among the country’s best clubs for years. Childress will begin his 7th campaign with Texas A&M. Under his guidance they have won 40 plus games in four of the last five seasons and for the first time the College Station crew has made five consecutive NCAA appearances. Sixteen letter winners, three All-Americans and a Freshman All-American return for the 2012 season.
2011: 47-22, 19-8
2011 Postseason: College World Series (Eliminated by losses to South Carolina and California)
Coach: Rob Childress, 7th Season
Field Players:
Sophomore Krey Bratsen had outstanding production as a rookie with the Aggies. The outfielder played in every game last season, hit .332, scored 45 times, had 89 hits, stole a noteworthy 31 bases and was named Freshman All-American. Senior Matt Juengel led the squad in home runs with seven. The designated hitter and third basemen hit .308, driving in 50, second on the team. First baseman Jacob House is one of the four returning Fighting Farmers that hit over .300. The senior led the squad with 52 RBI with a .301 average. Junior Brandon Wood, senior Arthur Scott and sophomores Charlie Curl and Jace Statum come back after making contributions to last year’s deep post season run.
Pitchers:
Coach Childress continues to develop solid pitching staffs at A&M. Texas A&M was 14th nationally last year with a staff ERA of 2.90. Senior Ross Stripling, a Colorado Rockies ninth round draft pick, was 14-2 with a 2.29 ERA. His 14 wins led the nation and he earned All-American honors. Junior Michael Wacha posted a 2.29 ERA in 2011 and was also named an All-American. Wacha struck out 123 in 129 innings of work and finished 9-4. Freshman Gandy Stubblefield joins the Ags from Lufkin High School. The Astros14th round draft pick and High School All-American was 14-1 with a 1.70 ERA in his senior season. Senior Estevan Uriegas, Juniors Kyle Martin and Ross Hale and sophomore Derrick Hadley return experienced arms for the A&M bullpen.
Who to Watch:
Junior Tyler Naquin, the Big 12 Player of the Year, will continue to lead Texas A&M on offense after a very good 2011 season. The All-American selectee led his team hitting .381, with 32 extra base hits. Newcomer Chance Bolcerek moves a short distance from Brenham High where he helped his school win a state title. The High School All-American hit .423 with 36 RBI as a senior.
Final Projection:
The Texas A&M stock is surely on the rise. Coach Childress brings back a veteran and experienced group on the field, at the plate and on the mound. Having Stripling and Wacha in the starting rotation again will make A&M formidable. The top four hitters, led by Naquin and Bratsen, come back, giving the pitching staff and defense the support they will need to make another College World Series run. Look for Texas A&M to be at the top of the Big 12 and to have a good chance to make their sixth trip to Omaha.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Tyler Naquin, RF, 273
Hits: Tyler Naquin, RF, 104
Home Runs: Matt Juengel, DH/3B, 7
RBIs: Jacob House, 1B, 52
Runs: Tyler Naquin, RF, 68
Stolen Bases: Krey Bratsen, OF, 31
Wins: Ross Stripling, P, 14
Innings Pitched: Michael Wacha, P, 129.2
Strikeouts: Michael Wacha, P, 123
Saves: Ross Stripling, P, 4
Madness 2012 MLB Draft Rankings:
#14 Michael Wacha
#49 Tyler Naquin
#83 Ross Stripling
