EVAN ASCHENBECK TO MAKE PRO DEBUT TONIGHT (FRIDAY)
Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information
A lifelong dream is coming true for former Blinn College baseball player Evan Aschenbeck.
The former Buccaneers pitcher and Texas A&M University standout is set to begin his first season of professional ball Friday when his new team, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, open their season at the Charleston RiverDogs in Charleston, S.C.
"This is a dream come true," said Aschenbeck. "Every kid who has grown up playing baseball dreams of this moment, and it's an incredible blessing and opportunity to be in the position I'm in right now."
Aschenbeck, 23, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs during the 2024 MLB First-Year Player Draft on July 16, 2024. His selection came after four seasons of collegiate ball split between Blinn and Texas A&M. The left-hander was chosen in the 13th round (392nd overall).
Born and raised in Brenham, Texas, Aschenbeck shined at Brenham High School before continuing his baseball journey locally by signing with Blinn.
In two years as a Buc (2021-22), Aschenbeck compiled seven wins, 107 strikeouts, and an earned run average of 4.40 across 100 1/3 innings. He showed enough in those two seasons to earn a scholarship from Texas A&M, and blossomed with the Aggies.
schenbeck impressed during his junior campaign in 2023 with an 8-1 record, three saves, 75 strikeouts, and a 3.46 ERA in 65 innings across 26 appearances.
He outdid his NCAA Division I debut with an even better 2024, establishing himself as the nation's top relief pitcher. He helped guide the Aggies to the NCAA Men's College World Series championship game and finished the season with a 6-1 record, a 1.78 ERA, 10 saves, and 87 punchouts in 75 2/3 frames. He was named an American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings, D1 Baseball, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, and Perfect Game First Team All-American, as well as a first team All-SEC selection and the NCBWA Stopper of the Year.
"It has definitely been a wild ride," Aschenbeck said. "Coming from a small town like Brenham, you have dreams of playing big-time college ball and in the pros, but you're never really sure it could ever happen to you. My journey has been a result of the hard work I've put in and the sacrifices I've made to get this far, but also of the love, support, and sacrifices of my family. They're as much a part of this as I am."
Less than one month after the conclusion of the College World Series, inside his childhood home in Brenham with his mother, Carrie, and fiancé, Kate, Aschenbeck was monitoring the final day of the MLB draft when he received a call from his agent.
"You sit and watch the TV and refresh the websites hoping to see your name, but you're never 100% sure it's going to work out," Aschenbeck said. "When I finally got the call and saw my name appear on the screen, that was probably the biggest sigh of relief I've ever experienced. It's a moment I'll never forget."
Aschenbeck was soon on a plane to Mesa, Ariz., where he signed a six-year development deal with the Cubs. He then competed in the organization's minor league camp this spring before being assigned to the Pelicans, the Cubs' Class A minor-league affiliate. The Pelicans are a member of the Carolina League in South Carolina.
Although he spent his final two seasons of college ball as a relief pitcher, Aschenbeck is slated to open his pro career as a member of the Pelicans' starting rotation. He'll wear No. 48.
"I'm ready for the challenge and believe I'm built for it," Aschenbeck said. "I know my career is in my hands right now and I can take this thing as far as I want to go. We've got a great club, and I'm looking forward to putting together some great innings and getting my career started on the right foot."