Texas A&M RHP Clayton Freshcorn selected in 19th round by St. Louis

‘Corn has been popped.

On Sunday, Texas A&M right-hander Clayton Freshcorn was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 19th round and 564th overall.

Fresh off an a-maize-ing year in Aggieland, Freshcorn becomes the eighth Aggie off the board in the 2026 MLB Draft.

A native of Waller, he spent one year at McLennan College in 2024 before going on to enjoy one of the best individual seasons by an Aggie reliever in program history.

As a junior this spring, Freshcorn was a first-team All-American and NCBWA Stopper of the Year finalist after recording 12 saves in 27 appearances. In 54.1 innings, he was 4-3 with a 2.82 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Further, he struck out 56 batters and walked only six, holding opponents to a .244 average against.

His dozen saves tied Kasey Kalich (2019) for fourth in a single season, as Jason Jester (2013) and Nolan Hoffman (2014) top the list with 14.

Additionally, nine of Freshcorn’s 12 saves spanned multiple innings as he was far from a traditional “closer” and was recognized as a program standout with A&M’s C.E. “Pat” Olsen Most Outstanding Pitcher Award.

The 6-foot, 180-pounder lived up to his second-team All-SEC preseason billing, earning first-team All-SEC in 2026.

In two seasons at A&M, Freshcorn posted a 3.43 ERA in 81.1 innings pitched, striking out 89 batters and walking just 15.