Texas A&M players discuss progress before Rice exhibition
· Yahoo Sports
Texas A&M baseball will use Friday’s fall exhibition against Rice to evaluate a roster with 29 newcomers, but two players enter the matchup with different opportunities.
The Aggies must replace several key contributors from last season after the 2026 MLB Draft selected eight players. That roster turnover creates competition throughout the lineup and pitching staff while giving head coach Michael Earley and his rebuilt coaching staff plenty to evaluate during fall ball.
Visit bettingx.bond for more information.
Returning pitcher Gavin Lyons is working toward a larger role after spending most of last season relying on his fastball. Adding two breaking pitches and an improved changeup could put him in the running for a spot in the starting rotation. Clemson transfer Nate Savoie is competing to become A&M’s primary catcher after Bear Harrison left for professional baseball. Savoie also brings a proven bat to a lineup replacing its top three hitters from last season.
Both players discussed their development, the impact of the coaching staff and what they hope to show before Friday’s 14-inning exhibition at Blue Bell Park.
Gavin Lyons expanding his pitch mix
Lyons appeared in 15 games last season, including four starts. He finished with a 4.89 ERA and 37 strikeouts over 35 innings, showing potential but needing more options to consistently work through opposing lineups.
New pitching coach Barry Enright has helped Lyons add a shorter slider and a larger sweeper while continuing to develop his changeup.
“Last year, I pretty much threw fastballs and got away with it, but I think this year, with those new pitches, I can definitely be better.”
Head coach Michael Earley said Lyons’ improved arsenal could give him an opportunity to compete for a spot in the starting rotation. Lyons has also noticed a change in his velocity after Enright began working with his mechanics.
“This is the first year any coach has worked with my mechanics. I’ve already seen significant gains. My velocity has jumped this fall, and I haven’t thrown this hard in a while.”
Nate Savoie settling in behind the plate
Savoie transferred to Texas A&M after spending last season at Clemson. He brings experience behind the plate to the Aggies after the New York Yankees selected Bear Harrison in the fifth round of the 2026 MLB Draft.
Savoie said A&M’s coaching staff and offensive track record played major roles in his decision.
“You can’t beat this coaching staff. I came here to be part of an offense that produces the way it does every year and to find ways to reach my potential. I didn’t see a better place than here.”
The Aggies plan to keep Savoie focused on catching this fall, though he also has outfield experience. Offensively, he has worked on generating more pull-side power without sacrificing the strike-zone discipline A&M emphasizes.
“Most of my power the last two years has been gap to gap, so that is another tool I wanted to add. Then it’s controlling the zone, getting good pitches to hit and keeping a low heart rate with two strikes.”
Friday’s exhibition should provide the first real look at how Lyons’ expanded arsenal and Savoie’s work behind the plate translate against outside competition.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M players discuss progress before Rice exhibition