Opening Day for Texas A&M baseball is less than two weeks away, and the Aggies are gearing up to start the 2026 campaign with momentum. The biggest early storyline is the injury to pitcher Caden McCoy, which leaves the weekend rotation unsettled for now. Until that picture becomes clearer, A&M will need to lean on its offense—fortunately, the most stable and talent‑rich part of the roster.
The Aggies return a formidable core at the plate, headlined by Gavin Grahovac, Caden Sorrell, and transfer slugger Chris Hacopian. Add in a wave of high‑ceiling underclassmen, and Texas A&M should have no shortage of production in the batter’s box. With Michael Earley back overseeing the offense and new assistant coach Cliff Pennington taking charge of infield play and base running, the lineup and defensive fundamentals should provide plenty of support while the pitching staff finds its footing.
On the mound, the picture is less defined. McCoy’s absence is a setback, but the return of two key arms—left‑hander Shane Sdao and right‑hander Josh Stewart—offers a major boost. Both missed last season but are expected to anchor the staff in 2026. Sdao, in particular, is a pivotal piece; he drew professional interest even while rehabbing, underscoring just how valuable he is to this rotation.
The national respect is already showing. Four Aggies were named Baseball America All‑Americans, a testament to the program’s depth, talent, and expectations heading into the new season.
Gavin Grahovac – 2nd Team – Third Base
The 2025 Preseason All-SEC First Team selection competed as long as he could, appearing in six games and posting a slash line of .227/.346/.545, with five hits, six RBIs, and two home runs. It’s impossible to predict how the season might have unfolded with a fully healthy Grahovac, but the focus now shifts to the 2026 campaign—and he’s eager to begin.
Caden Sorrell – 2nd Team – Outfield
Across 26 games, Sorrell slashed .337/.430/.739 with 32 hits, 31 RBI, and 12 home runs—elite production in limited opportunities. His combination of power, on‑base ability, and athleticism gives the Aggies a proven middle‑of‑the‑order bat, and a fully healthy Sorrell should anchor the lineup from Opening Day.
Chris Hacopian – 3rd Team – Infield
Hacopian missed Fall Ball while recovering from injury, but he’s expected to be ready for Opening Day. His summer performance in the Cape Cod League only reinforced his status as one of the country’s most polished hitters. He ranked in the top 10 in hits (32), doubles (6), and triples (1), and finished top 20 in RBIs (16), batting average (.274), slugging (.393), and OPS (.739). For an Aggie lineup searching for consistency, Hacopian projects as an immediate stabilizer.
Shane Sdao – 3rd Team – Pitcher
Prior to the 2025 season, left‑hander Shane Sdao underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament, sidelining him for the entire year. It was a major blow to the pitching staff, as Sdao possessed the versatility to start games or serve as a high‑leverage relief option. In 2024, he flashed all the traits of a future standout SEC pitcher, finishing with a 5–1 record, a 2.96 ERA, and 55 strikeouts.
Preseason All-Americans by @BaseballAmerica has dropped and four of them wear maroon 👍
🔗 https://t.co/ZXAIbDhugj#GigEmpic.twitter.com/N9yRdUi4Rw
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) February 3, 2026
Texas A&M will open the 2026 campaign with a three-game home series against Tennessee Tech beginning February 13 at Blue Bell Park in Bryan–College Station.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Four Aggies named Baseball America All‑Americans for 2026
