Aggies Slotted Third in Baseball America Top 25

Aggies Slotted Third in Baseball America Top 25
 
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M Aggies were ranked No. 3 in the Baseball America Preseason Top 25 released on Monday.
 
It marks the highest Texas A&M has been ranked in the Baseball America Preseason Top 25 since the 2009 campaign when the Maroon and White were ranked No. 1.
 
The Aggies were one of seven SEC schools ranked in the Top 25 and the highest ranked among the three Texas schools on the list.
 
Florida was slotted No. 1, followed by Louisville and Texas A&M. Virginia, Oregon State, Miami, Vanderbilt, California, Oklahoma State and UCLA rounded out the Top 10.
 
The Aggies' lineup returns six starters from last season, led by All-America outfielder Nick Banks who batted .364 with 51 runs, 11 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 48 RBI in 2015. First baseman Hunter Melton hit .300 with 36 runs, nine doubles, one triple, eight home runs and 37 RBI as a junior last season. Other returning starters include second baseman Ryne Birk, centerfielder JB Moss, third baseman/designated hitter Ronnie Gideon and catcher Michael Barash.
 
The Maroon and White also return a wealth of talent on the mound, including starting pitchers Kyle Simonds (3-2, 2.39 ERA), Tyler Stubblefield (0-0, 5.25 ERA – missed four months with injury) and Turner Larkins (5-1, 3.96 ERA). The return of standout relievers Andrew Vinson (5-2, 2.12 ERA, 5 saves), Mark Ecker (1-2, 2.45 ERA, 8 saves), Blake Kopetsky (0-0, 2.89 ERA), Corbin Martin (2-0, 2.95 ERA), Ryan Hendrix (6-4, 3.66 ERA, 5 saves) and Ty Schlottmann (3-1, 3.96) also buoy the squad's expectations for 2016.
 
Texas A&M is coming off a 2015 campaign in which they finished 50-14, the highest win total for the Aggies since 1999. They extended their school-record string of consecutive NCAA Championship appearances to nine seasons and claimed their seventh overall NCAA Regional title. The Maroon and White started the 2015 season with an SEC-record 24-game win streak.
 
Rob Childress' Aggies begin the 2016 season on February 19 as they host the Hofstra Pride in a three-game series on Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.