Gig Em Gazette
Fansided

Texas A&M Baseball: Six Aggies Among SEC Players on MLB Opening Day Rosters

By Matthew Bartlett

Oct 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning during game two of the MLB baseball World Series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Jared Wickerham/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning during game two of the MLB baseball World Series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Jared Wickerham/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 7
Next
Texas A&M Baseball
Mar 24, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael  Wacha (52) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Wacha, Saint Louis Cardinals

Wacha was a part of Texas A&M’s 2011 College World Series squad. He, along with fellow big leaguer Ross Stripling combined for one of the most formidable one-two punches the Aggie starting rotation has ever seen. Wacha finished college with a 27-7 record, a 2.40 ERA, and 336 strikeouts.

Deservedly so, Wacha was a first round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2012 MLB Draft, taken 19th overall. The following year Wacha made his MLB debut against the Kansas City Royals. On May 30, 2013 Wacha hurled a seven inning, two hit performance in which he allowed just one earned run. Despite his efforts, the Cardinals lost the game 4-2.

St. Louis fans saw a glimpse of just how good this right from Pleasant Grove High School could be. Just three months later, Wacha was a main stay in the Cardinals rotation during a deep playoff run. He was named the MVP of the NLCS after he pitched two shutout performances against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Not long after, Wacha started a pair of games in the 2014 World Series going 1-1.

Wacha owns a career 3.74 ERA with a 33-21 record in 91 games with the Cardinals. He was named a National League All-Star in 2015. Wacha is coming off back to back 100+ strikeout seasons.