Get to Know: Jace LaViolette

Texas A&M’s starting out-fielder Jace LaViolette has already made a big impact in his Aggie debut season. The freshman (as of May 2nd, 2023) has hit 11 homers, collected 43 RBI and has stolen 12 bases, leading the team in all three categories.

The product of Katy, Texas garnered SEC Freshman of the Week honors after leading the league with a 10 RBI week. He hit three homers in the series against Auburn and a two-run double in a midweek victory over Texas State. LaViolette’s stats are the best coming from a freshman since Braden Shewmake led the Aggies multiple categories in 2017.

Laviolette sat down to discuss how his first year in Aggieland has been and his journey to be where he is today.

How did you know you wanted to play baseball at this level?

“It started out as a fun thing to do and over the years it became something to build relationships and have everyone around me. I obviously enjoy the game and have fun doing it, but it is not about the game anymore it is about building relationships and having fun with my brothers.”

What brought you to A&M?

“I was actually committed to LSU under Nolan Cain whenever he was there. When he left and came here, with all the coaching changes here at Texas A&M I decided I wanted to decommit to LSU and this place just caught my eye. I have never looked back; it is the best decision I have ever made coming to this school. I do not regret it at all. I love it here.”

What’s your favorite thing about Texas A&M, why?

Obviously, baseball is the number one because I love being out here and we have some of the best fans in college baseball. Other than that, I would say the football games. Everyone has a blast going out there, that is always fun. And, honestly, the traditions that are here. You look at the University and you don’t see another with as many as A&M has. Whenever I got here, I did not understand them as much as I do now. As I have been here, I have grown into the culture of this University, and it has been awesome.”

How does it feel to have such a key role as a freshman?

“I mean it feels awesome. You can’t really put into words how it feels because this is something that I have dreamed of since I was a little kid. I have always wanted to play baseball in the SEC. I mean everyone plays key roles here though. Everyone out here one through nine, the whole lineup, is going to give you what you need and that is all you could ask for.”

What is your walk-up song and what made you choose it?

“So, the “Money, Money, Money” one, I don’t really know how that one came to be. I saw it on my TikTok actually, it was this WWE wrestling song. I was like that would be pretty cool. I tried it out in a scrimmage, and I liked it, it is pretty good. The other one, I just recently changed to was on TikTok too. It was of Kyle Schwarber, a Phillies guy, he was walking up to the plate, and it sounded electric. I wanted to get a piece of that so that’s what I changed my walk-up song to.”

Take me through an at-bat, what goes on in your head?

“From the moment I step up to the plate, it might sound corny, but it is what we are taught here is to look and be on time for the fastball. I am hunting for the fastball; I am ready to hit the fastball and I am not going to be beat by a fastball. That is what is taught here. So, from the moment I step into the box, 0-0, I am hunting the fastball that is over the plate that I can handle and get my best swing off. As we get deeper into the count, my approach does not change. I am always on the fastball and ready to hit.”

Do you have any gameday superstitions?

“Coach Schloss actually talked to me today about my socks being ripped. I kind of told him that it was a gameday superstition thing, but I don’t think he believed it and to be honest I wasn’t 100 percent telling the truth. I just didn’t know they were ripped. So, I guess I need some more socks.”

What is your guilty pleasure food?

“Younger Jace who was about 275 would have said hot dogs, but I am not a hot dog guy anymore. I wouldn’t say that it is a guilty pleasure food, but a guilty pleasure place is Torchy’s Tacos. The whole menu I would devour. I get four tacos every time I go there. I might want to stop going there. I might get a little chubby again, but we will see.”

What sport would you play if you didn’t play baseball?

“Oh, 100 percent football. No question about it. The eagle inside of me wants to say I’d play QB. That is kind of what everybody says, but I don’t think I would be any good after watching what they do. I would say a tight end or something like that, I can move pretty well and feel like I have pretty good hands. QB would be my dream position though.”

Do you have any hidden talents?

“I am trying to learn how to juggle. It is not going so well, but once I learn to juggle that would be my hidden talent.”

What is your guilty pleasure song?

“Oh my gosh. Any Rihanna song, I will jam out to some Rihanna.”

Who do you think the funniest guy is on the team?

“This is tough. We have a lot of goofballs on this team. I would have to say Travis Chestnut, he can always get me to laugh. He is a funny one and does some of the most ridiculous things I have ever seen anyone do, but I love him.”