Texas A&M coach praises Kentucky, but likes his Ace

Of the three other SEC teams in the College World Series, Texas A&M is the only one Kentucky hasn’t already faced this season. The Aggies and the Cats’ last matchup was in 2023 when Texas A&M took two of three games in College Station. The Aggies own a 13-8 edge in the series all-time, but the stakes for tonight’s game are the highest yet. The winner advances to the semifinals on Wednesday, just one win away from the College World Series finals. The loser faces elimination on Tuesday night.

Although the two teams haven’t played this season, Texas A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle is impressed by what he’s seen of Kentucky from afar. After the Aggies beat Florida late Saturday night, the two-time National Coach of the Year shared his initial thoughts on the Cats, heaping praise on the work Nick Mingione has done this season.

“We haven’t played them yet. They haven’t played us either. Just a great really well-coached team. Obviously [Mingione is] Coach of the Year in the league. They can do everything: Hit the ball out of the ballpark; run; bunt; put a lot of pressure on you; throw strikes; play defense.

“But we’re not bad. You know, we’ll show up. I’ve watched them play on television, and they have an awesome synergy about them, too; you can see that, playing with a lot of confidence, like us. I think we’re playing with a lot of confidence and we have some neat character in our club, too.”

This is Texas A&M’s eighth College World Series appearance, but the Aggies have yet to win it all. Tonight, they’ll start their ace, All-American Ryan Prager, in hopes of getting one step closer. Schlossnagle told reporters before A&M’s Sunday practice that he likes how Prager matches up against Kentucky’s aggressive style. The redshirt sophomore left-hander owns an 8-1 record with a 3.10 ERA and 117 strikeouts.

“I like Prager against Kentucky in terms of what he does versus what they do,” Schlossnagle said via TexAgs. “We’re still going to have to play great. I’ve been watching video on them all day and just like every other team, we’re really going to have to get a good position and try to get a lead.

“If they get a little bit of a lead or a tie game, the momentum of their running and the bunt game, and then you start worrying about that and you make bad pitches and they hit the ball out of the ballpark. They probably don’t have the power of Tennessee, but this is probably the most complete team we will have played all season.”

Kentucky’s College World Series debut was one for the ages, with Mitchell Daly hitting a walk-off home run to beat NC State and send the Cats to the winners’ bracket. When asked, Schlossnagle said he’s more concerned about Kentucky because of their skill, not any kind of Omaha beginner’s luck. Playing in the nation’s toughest baseball conference helps too.

“I don’t think about it that way; I think they’re dangerous because they’re really good,” Schlossnagle said. “I think teams especially out of the SEC, you’re battle-tested. And once you get over the fact of the environment, then it’s just baseball. I don’t fear them because of their attitude or anything like that, it’s more about they’re a really good team.”

Schlossnagle happy for Robert Hogan’s success at Kentucky

Tonight’s game will have special meaning for one Wildcat. Right-hander Robert Hogan transferred to Kentucky last year after two seasons at Texas A&M. He was part of the Aggies team that made it to the College World Series in 2022. Even though Hogan is now on the opposing side, Schlossnagle said he’s very happy his former player has found happiness.

“Super happy for Robert. I greeted him when they got here down in the hotel lobby and we talked for a while. We hadn’t really talked since he left. I had texted him a few times congratulating him when they made the World Series but I just told him I’m happy for him.”

After Kentucky’s Super Regional win over Oregon State, Nick Mingione opened up about how Hogan overcame the personal issues that plagued him during his second year in College Station. After a big freshman year, he slumped in a big way as a sophomore, posting a 14.63 ERA in just eight innings on the mound. He missed road trips and his playing time diminished. With a fresh start in Lexington, Hogan has turned it around to become one of Kentucky’s most reliable relievers.

“Happy to see him confident,” Schlossnagle of Hogan. “I’m happy to see him have a real role on a great team and see him happy. He’s been through a lot in his life, as we all have and I wish he could have been in this environment under [Texas A&M pitching coach] Max [Weiner] vs. what it was prior to. I think he really would have thrived under Max.

“But everybody matures at different stages too, you know? And sometimes a different change of scenery and something different is just good. I’m super happy for him. We obviously want to beat him but at the same time, I’m really happy for Robert.”

We’ll see if Hogan faces Schlossnagle and his old squad when Kentucky takes on Texas A&M tonight at 6 p.m. CT/7 p.m. ET on ESPN.