In a recent turn of events for Texas A&M baseball, elite 2025 shortstop commit Nico Partida has withdrawn from the MLB Draft, opting instead to join the Aggies next season. This decision is particularly pivotal as the team recently lost two starters, Jace LaViolette and Justin Lamkin, to the draft. LaViolette was selected by the Cleveland Guardians, while Lamkin's standout performances, including a no-hitter against Georgia, caught the attention of scouts.

Partida's commitment not only fills a crucial gap left by the departing Kaeden Kent, who was picked by the New York Yankees, but also underscores head coach Michael Earley's ongoing recruitment success. The Aggies recently acquired two other shortstops from the transfer portal, Chris Hacopian and Maddox Latta, yet Partida's high ranking as the 144th prospect and 18th shortstop in this draft cycle speaks volumes about his potential impact on the program.

The Cleveland Guardians have bolstered their roster by selecting Jace LaViolette from Texas A&M as their first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. At 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, LaViolette is a compelling power-hitting left-handed outfielder, who was ranked as the No. 20 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. During his impressive three years at Texas A&M, he set records with 68 home runs and 169 walks, leading the Aggies to the College World Series Finals in 2024.

Despite concerns over a 25% strikeout rate in his junior year, LaViolette's raw power is among the best in the draft class, making him a formidable prospect for the Guardians. He's been recognized as a third-team All-American and was a semifinalist for the prestigious Dick Howser Award. The Guardians, using the 27th overall pick, are optimistic that LaViolette's potential can translate well to Major League Baseball, particularly in the right field position where he is expected to excel.

Jace LaViolette, an outfielder from Texas A&M, has made headlines after being selected No. 27 overall by the Cleveland Guardians in the 2025 MLB Draft, with a slot value of $3,382,600. LaViolette, previously ranked as the No. 20 prospect by MLB.com, follows in the footsteps of another Texas A&M star, Braden Montgomery, who was drafted 12th overall the previous year.

During his tenure at Texas A&M, LaViolette set several records, including the all-time home run record with 68 homers, alongside impressive stats of 202 RBIs and 443 total bases. His standout sophomore season saw him named a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist, but his final year was less illustrious with a .258 average. Nonetheless, LaViolette displayed remarkable resilience, recovering quickly from a hand surgery to contribute to his team in the SEC Tournament.