Jim Schlossnagle says freshmen Kaeden Kent, Max Kaufer are doing 'awesome'

As Texas A&M baseball enters the final stages of the regular season — the Aggies have a weekend series against Alabama at home before a final series at Mississippi State to cap the year — head coach Jim Schlossnagle is pleased with the progress of a few freshmen. Speaking on a weekly Texas A&M radio show, the coach lauded the years that infielder Kaeden Kent and catcher Max Kaufer are having.

Kent, the son of Major League Baseball legend Jeff Kent, has struggled to crack the regular starters due to a wealth of returning talent. But Schlossnagle still raved about his work ethic.

“Kaeden is a guy that obviously comes from great baseball pedigree. But he’s one of the most blue collar, intentional — I thought Jack Moss was one of the most intentional players I’ve ever coached. Kaeden Kent is more intentional than Jack Moss. Kaeden is so committed to being a well-rounded player. I mean you should see the routine that this guy takes care of on his own. Getting ground balls at third base, shortstop, second base,” Schlossnagle said.

Kent’s got such a feel for where he’s needed, he’s started pre-empting the coaching staff. He even asked if he could get some run as a pitcher.

“And he’ll have enough feel for the game to say, ‘Hey, you know what, if this and this happens, he may need me at first base. So I’ll go over there and take some balls.’ And it didn’t take him two seconds to figure out, when Brent Minnich got hurt, ‘I need to get some balls in left.’ And we even brought it up, we had our situation come up from the summer to fall, about our catching. And so Kaeden’s kind of an emergency catcher. The other day, came up to me and said, ‘You know, coach I can pitch.’ So, he wanted to throw a bullpen. And he could throw strikes. He’s a baseball player. He’s a real player,” Schlossnagle said.

Kent has played in 27 of the Aggies 49 games, making 21 starts as a freshman. He’s batting .268 with 23 RBI and shown some slight pop in his bat with four doubles and a home run.

His freshman compatriot, Kaufer, has been more feast or famine at the plate, batting .185 in 30 games (20 starts). However, Kaufer has a .387 on-base percentage and has scored nine runs, despite just 10 hits on the season.

And coming in as a true freshman and being a solid defensive option behind the plate is no small feat at all.

“Max, come on, the guy is from New Jersey, now he’s down here and playing elite college Division I baseball in the SEC, hitting home runs at Arkansas. Catching pitchers that are older than him and just watch his body language in a game. So proud of him and the way he handles himself. Has competitive at bats. Batting average isn’t what anybody wants it to be, but look at how many times he gets on base,” Schlossnagle said.

It’s a nice spot to be in for the Aggies, who will need a strong finish to the season to ensure a trip to the postseason.