College Basketball

Texas A&M Baseball: Aggies Hope to Ride Returning Arms to Omaha

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:16 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Matthew Bartlett/FanSided via Gig Em Gazette

The Texas A&M baseball team will be replacing a lot of offense this year, making it all the more important that the returning pitchers stay dominant.

Kyle Simonds threw a no hitter. He’s gone. Mark Ecker had a 0.00 ERA in conference. Won’t see him on Olsen Field this year either. Andrew Vinson struck out 26 batters in 25 innings. He’s gone too.

That’s a tough blow, but the Aggies have the depth to take it in stride and continue into SEC play. Texas A&M will return plenty of options in the starting rotation and have some hard throwing relievers sure to give opposing batters fits late in games. Not including the new guys, here’s a peak at the returning arms in the A&M pen.

The Starting Rotation

Friday night starter Brigham Hill finished fourth in the SEC in ERA (2.51) and held an impressive 9-2 record on the year. He suffered just one loss in SEC play. When Hill took the mound it seemed to be all but a guarantee he’d find a way to keep the Aggies in it.

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The Saturday role will likely fall to Turner Larkins. Larkins was the midweek guy last season and pitched well, going 3-0 in his non conference starts. He was called upon during the post season to pitch some high leverage innings and performed well. Coach Rob Childress has confidence in the righty and he has every reason to believe in him.

Stephen Kolek might be in the mix for the last spot in the weekend rotation. He walked 13 batters last year, a stat that will have to be improved on if he wants to win a weekend role. Childress likes to give the Sunday job to someone that can throw strikes and get through games quickly. Kolek has great stuff, but the command could be improved. If he does that he’ll be a real force in the SEC.

Relievers and Potential Midweek Arms

The Texas A&M pitching staff has always been one of the deeper staffs in the SEC. 14 different players took the rubber for the Aggies last year and the team didn’t lose many other players to the draft.

In addition to some new faces, Corbin Martin and Mitchell Kilkenny will be big pieces in the bullpen. Martin has mid to high 90s speed. If he can reign in that power he’ll find a perfect fit as this team’s closer in 2017.

***Stats from 12thman.com***

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