More recently the two obvious ones would be Clayton Kershaw and Josh Beckett. Will Middlebrooks might be on this list in the near future. What other players in A&M baseball history have signed an LOI or committed, then ultimately gone pro out of high school or junior college?

There was Kevin Ahrens last year, who went 16th overall to the Jays, we'll see how he turns out

Since Mark Johnson became head coach in 1986, the top players to not enroll after signing with the Aggies being have mainly been pitchers. That has continued with Rob Childress but he has lost some top offensive players as well.

If Clayton Kershaw was pitching for A&M the past two years, I know the Aggies would have been in the CWS at least once the past two seasons and probably twice but he might not have had the impact of another lefty that went in the first round.

LHP Brian Bohanon, the first round pick of the Texas Rangers in 1987, would have been the top pitcher in college baseball in the 1988-1990 seasons. He made the majors in just three years and it is hard to fathom what the record of the Aggies would have been those three years considering they went 153-39 without Bohanon on the mound. Two years the Aggies played in the regional championship game.

Others that come to mind that were actually going to enroll, unlike Josh Beckett who double signed with Blinn JC and had no intention to enroll, include LHP Josh Girdley in 2000, LHP Aaron Thompson in 2005, RHP Andy Yount in 1995 and LHP Robby Beckett in 1990.

As far as hitters go, Chip Ambres and Choo Freeman mixed in on a CWS team in 1999 would have certainly made a special team even better. Kelly Johnson would have certainly been the shortstop for the Aggies from 2001-03. Mark Farris would have been a star outfielder from 1995-97.

www.aggiebaseball.net

As always, quality information from our resident expert.

Mark Farris was a SS/3B

andy yount would have been pretty salty.

It's amazing the number of guys from that list that played in the majors, but didn't have long careers. You wonder what would've happened if they went to college.

"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."

I went to see Josh Girdley pitch against Brenham his senior season. Girdley had blown up on the high school scene just like Kershaw did his senior year. He went 9-2 with a 0.34 ERA and struck out 29 batters in a 10 inning game his senior year. He agreed to terms with Montreal before the draft and signed for significantly less than slot money. He was drafted behind Josh Hamilton and Josh Beckett and in front of Barry Zito and Ben Sheets.

He suffered an elbow injury and had Tommy John surgery and never pitched above high "A" ball.

www.aggiebaseball.net

i believe yount cut his hand in an accident and never really got his stuff back.

Andy Yount showed a lot of promise when he was drafted, boasting a 95-97mph fastball and impressive numbers in high school. However, while attending the funeral of a close friend he had a freak accident -- he was holding a Coke bottle in his hand, and, in his grief, he didn't realize how tightly he was squeezing it. The bottle shattered, and severed the tendons in his hand. He had surgery, then re-injured his hand several times while attempting a comeback. Eventually the Red Sox decided that he was through, and they released him. However, in 1998 Yount signed with the Tigers but was unsuccessful in trying to resurrect his career.

He is currently a pitching instructor in Kingwood.

www.aggiebaseball.net

John Peters...before he was ruined at Brenham

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John Peters...before he was ruined at Brenham

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I don't think it was his pitching that gave the kid arm and elbow trouble.






But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

I played ball with Dr. Jon Peters, after his Aggie career was over, and contrary to popular belief his arm troubles had nothing to do with overuse in high school. It was poor mechanics and he said so to us and also in this article.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/1997/weekly/catchingup/0811/index.html

www.aggiebaseball.net

Nolan Ryan- wanted to play for TAMU; was told he did not have a big league arm and that he should play second base... signed with the Mets- as a pitcher not a second baseman

Andy Yount and my wife were good friends in HS. I remember when she called me the day their mutual friend died her freshman year at A&M.

She told me the story of his hand and the Coke bottle. Seems impossible, but it happened.

I think Nolan wanted to play basketball and when that scholarship did not come his way, he signed with the Mets.

Nolan Ryan vs. T. Boone Pickens, I think I would rather have had Nolan on the mound at old Kyle Field.

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Didn't Nomar end up choosong Ga. Tech over us? If I remember right, he could start as a true freshman at GT, but would have been behind a Sr at A&M. Someone correct me if I am remembering wrong.

jose cruz, jr wasn't promised a starting freshman position so he went to rice instead

Correct on the last two...Jason Marshall was already on campus as the starting shortstop. Cruz did want a guarantee of starting.

Thread was not about players going to other colleges, was on choosing Pro ball or Juco over the Aggies after signing with us.

www.aggiebaseball.net

This turned out to be a great thread. Glad I thought of it.

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Thread was not about players going to other colleges, was on choosing Pro ball or Juco over the Aggies after signing with us.

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I understand that, but those are two big names that we were very close on that we can play the "what if" game with along with all the others mentioned here. Just thought it was someone of note that a lot of people may not realize was very close to coming to A&M. Wasn't trying to hi-jack the thread.

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he was holding a Coke bottle in his hand, and, in his grief, he didn't realize how tightly he was squeezing it. The bottle shattered

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Wow

You have to add Del Lindsey to the list. Played one season at Olsen, but never reached campus.

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Didn't Nomar end up choosong Ga. Tech over us

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Yes and he lead Georgia Tech to a victory over the Ags in the 1992 East Regional in Gainsville, Florida...of course we did come back to eliminate Host and #1 seed Florida and then eliminated #2 Georgia Tech the same day. Had everything in order till the 8th inning of the Cal game the next day.

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Nolan Ryan- wanted to play for TAMU; was told he did not have a big league arm and that he should play second base... signed with the Mets- as a pitcher not a second baseman

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ol' tom. man.

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You have to add Del Lindsey to the list. Played one season at Olsen, but never reached campus.

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Cordell came back to school and graduated ...

Became a student assistant and helped coach after he return too. Then got his masters at UH.

Good thing we will run down a former player!

www.aggiebaseball.net

you won't find too many ags more loyal than cordell.

guy absolutely loves a&m and realizes he probably should have handled things a little differently.

great part of a great team.

no joke...got his masters...good for him...that's awesome.

i always liked watching him play..

Dang Scott! Quit being such a butt. We know that you are the all knowing expert of Aggie baseball and no one doubts your expertise, but you don't have to be a jerk about it. Calm down, man.

The guy was right about Del not going to class while he was a player here. But, it's good that Del finished what he started and went even further in his education than most of us on this board.