'Bell Cow' Evan Aschenbeck selected in 13th round by the Chicago Cubs

He could soon be Brenham’s Big League bell cow.

On Tuesday, Texas A&M left-handed reliever Evan Aschenbeck was selected in the 13th round, 392nd overall, by the Chicago Cubs in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Aschenbeck becomes the seventh A&M product to be taken in this year’s draft, and he is the fourth Aggie pitcher to come off the board behind Chris Cortez, Ryan Prager and Tanner Jones.

While not possessing a high-90s fastball, the Brenham native emerged as one of the top bullpen weapons in the country in 2023 and built on that success in becoming the 2024 NCBWA Stopper of the Year as the nation’s best reliever.

In 2024, Aschenbeck posted a 1.78 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP in 75.2 innings pitched. Of his 10 saves, each came in a stint longer than the traditional one-inning in length, including five of three or more innings. A reliable strike thrower, he fanned 87 batters while walking just 12.

When the lights were brightest in the NCAA Tournament, Aschenbeck was at his best.

He posted three-inning saves in A&M’s super regional clincher over Oregon and the Aggies’ first Men’s College World Series victory over Florida.

Against Texas in the Bryan-College Station Regional on June 1, Aschenbeck had literally no margin for error as he spun 4.2 hitless, scoreless frames as the Ags outlasted the Longhorns in 11 innings.

Undoubtedly, his two-year career in Aggieland is already legendary.

In 58 appearances in Maroon & White, he owns a 14-2 record, 13 saves and a 2.56 ERA, striking out 162 batters in 140.2 innings.

Following the 2024 season, Aschenbeck applied for a COVID-19 waiver relating to his time at Blinn College. The status of that appeal remains unknown. If approved, Aschenbeck could return to A&M for the 2025 season should he decide not to sign a professional contract.

Ryan Brauninger’s scout of Evan Aschenbeck

“Strike-throwing machine as a left-handed reliever that blossomed, seemingly out of nowhere, into one of the premier bullpen arms in the entire country in two seasons. Can and will throw any pitch in any count in the strike zone. Had multiple occasions of throwing 15+ consecutive strikes in games this season. Heart rate and demeanor are always under control. Consistently creates disjointed swings and gets soft contact on offering both in and out of the zone. Slider causes most swing and miss. Reliability might be his most valuable commodity.”