The Big 2 Return
The two top prospects in the NCAA baseball transfer portal have both decided to stay where they were.
Just hours before Michael Earley is formally introduced as the team's new head coach, Texas A&M centerfielder Jace LaViolette and third baseman Gavin Grahovac both announced on social media Tuesday morning that they will stay in Aggieland.
LaViolette was by far the biggest prize in the transfer portal, as he was a first team All-American in his sophomore season. LaViolette hit .305 with a team-leading 29 home runs and 78 RBI in 2024, with an OPS (on base percentage + slugging) of 1.187.
Even though he entered the transfer portal shortly after former coach Jim Schlossnagle took the job at Texas, LaViolette's return was considered likely by most observers after Earley's hire was announced Sunday. He made it official on social media today.
If LaViolette was the most-desired prospect in the portal, Grahovac was an easy second. The SEC Freshman of the Year hit .298 with 23 homers and 66 RBI with an OPS of .986. Like LaViolette, Grahovac went into the transfer portal shortly after Schlossnagle's departure, but it always seemed like it was the desire of him and his family to stay at A&M. With the Earley hire made, Grahovac made his decision official Tuesday as well.
Two other Aggies -- outfielder/DH Hayden Schott and shortstop Ali Camarillo -- had already withdrawn from the portal after Earley was hired. It is now expected that most of the A&M players still in the portal will return, and the program will likely make some additions as well.
Earley's introduction ceremony will be held at the Hall of Champions at Kyle Field at 1 p.m.