Aggies Reload: Texas A&M Shakes the Diamond by Snagging Transfer Portal Ace Preston Prince!
College baseball’s transfer market just got a whole lot spicier—and the Aggies are feasting.
In the relentless pursuit to return to college baseball’s most coveted stage—Omaha—the Texas A&M Aggies have cracked open the transfer portal with a thunderous roar. After a turbulent season filled with ups, downs, and unmet expectations, the Aggies are not just rebuilding—they’re reloading with firepower. And leading the charge in this new wave of talent? None other than Preston Prince, a versatile left-handed pitcher with a chip on his shoulder and a heater in his arsenal.
A Jersey Change, A Mission Begins
Prince announced his seismic shift to Aggieland via social media, sending shockwaves through both the SEC and Big Ten landscapes. The southpaw, who most recently donned the Rutgers Scarlet, is trading in his red for maroon—and he’s doing so with something to prove.
While his 2024 stat line with Rutgers may not have screamed dominance—5.57 ERA across 21 innings, 11 hits, 14 earned runs—there’s more to this story than raw numbers. Prince limited opponents to a paltry .187 batting average, showcasing the kind of “sneaky nasty” stuff that can flourish under the right mentorship.
Enter: Jason Kelly, Texas A&M’s newly minted associate head coach and pitching guru. With over two decades of experience—including a head coaching stint at Washington—Kelly is known for sculpting untapped potential into diamond-caliber performers. Now, he’s got his hands on Prince—and the SEC better take notice.
From Niagara Falls to SEC Brawls
Before flashing his skills in New Jersey, Prince was a force at Niagara University. There, he started in 11 of 12 appearances and delivered 38.1 innings of gutsy baseball. He fanned 33 batters and held opposing lineups to a .245 average—a solid foundation that would soon lead to a program-defining moment: starting Niagara’s first-ever NCAA Tournament game against powerhouse Oklahoma State in 2024. That outing didn’t just mark a milestone—it etched Prince’s name in the school’s history books.
As a freshman, he was already showing flashes of brilliance: 17 Ks in 13.2 innings over 11 appearances. Nine of those came from the bullpen, giving him the versatility that modern pitching staffs covet.
Aggieland’s Pitching Puzzle: Who Rises, Who Replaces, Who Rules?
Prince joins a Texas A&M rotation that’s undergoing a significant transformation. With the legendary Ryan Prager, the 2024 Friday night hero, shocking everyone by returning after being drafted, the Aggies have a foundation—but not a complete picture.
Saturday stalwart Justin Lamkin is likely MLB-bound, and Sunday starter Myles Patton appears poised to carry a bigger load in 2026. The rest? A thrilling mystery.
Look out for the young guns: sophomore arms Caden McCoy and Gavin Lyons were trial-by-fire rookies last season, while juniors Clayton Freshcorn and Weston Moss have steadily proven they belong in the Aggie bullpen and beyond.
Now, add Prince to that mix—a wild card, a lefty with NCAA tournament pedigree, and the hunger of an underdog with nothing to lose and everything to prove.
Omaha or Bust: The Aggie Agenda
Let’s not kid ourselves—Texas A&M isn’t in this for a rebuilding year. With coach Michael Earley leading the charge and a pitching coach like Kelly whispering velocity and spin rate into the ears of his hurlers, this team is primed to make serious noise.
And Prince? He might just be the unexpected X-factor, the one who walks in through the side door and walks off the mound with the spotlight.
This isn’t just a transfer. This is a statement.
Watch this space. Omaha might not be ready. But the Aggies are.
