The Texas A&M Aggies made a significant addition to their baseball roster with the acquisition of pitcher Grant Cunningham from Washington via the transfer portal. Cunningham, known for his impressive fastball reaching speeds of 96-98 miles per hour, announced his commitment to the Aggies on Saturday evening through his Twitter account, marking a pivotal moment for the program.
Cunningham’s potential impact is substantial, as he enters contention for a starting role after a standout final season with the Washington Huskies in 2023. He boasted a 2.86 ERA with 56 strikeouts across his campaign, demonstrating both effectiveness and velocity on the mound. His decision to join Texas A&M aligns with the hiring of Jason Kelly as the team’s pitching coach, a move likely influencing Cunningham’s choice to move to College Station.
Previously, Cunningham garnered attention as a highly regarded high school prospect, earning accolades such as second-team All-America in the West Region. He was ranked No. 29 overall and No. 16 among right-handed pitchers by Perfect Game during his high school career at Seattle Preparatory School.
The Aggies, coming off a remarkable 2024 season where they posted a 53-15 record and reached the College World Series (CWS) Finals, are bolstering their roster with Cunningham’s addition. Despite falling short in the championship series, the team’s performance has generated considerable optimism among fans in College Station.
Looking ahead, Texas A&M’s pitching lineup will see returning talents like Shane Sdao, Josh Stewart, and Justin Lamkin, while anticipating the departure of standout closer Evan Aschenbeck, drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the sixth round. Aschenbeck was pivotal for the Aggies last season and is expected to pursue a professional career, leaving a notable gap in the bullpen.
With Cunningham now in the fold, Texas A&M baseball continues to build towards future success, leveraging his skills and potential to strengthen their pitching rotation. As the offseason progresses and preparations for the next campaign intensify, the Aggies aim to build on their recent achievements and contend once again at the highest levels of college baseball.
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