Aggies Outfielder Jace LaViolette Earns Team USA Invite
Jace LaViolette is getting called up to the big leagues. Well, a type of big league.
After a breakout freshman season with the Texas A&M Aggies, LaViolette officially earned an invitation to the 2023 USA Baseball Collegiate Team Training Camp in Cary, N.C. later this month. The camp features 56 of the premier non-draft eligible college players that will play in a four-game intrasquad series from June 25-28.
Following camp, USA Baseball will name a final 26-man Collegiate National Team roster that will represent the United States in the friendship series against Chinese Taipei and Japan from June 30-July 12. Should LaViolette earn a spot on the national roster, he'll become the 32nd Aggie in program history to don the stripes while as a member of the program.
“We are so very proud of Jace and he is more than deserving of this honor,” Aggie head coach Jim Schlossnagle said in a statement. “There is no greater feeling outside of Omaha than representing your country on the field of play. Jace is an elite player but an even better teammate, son, and friend. He exemplifies every core value of being an Aggie.”
A native of Katy, the 6-6 freshman picked up the spot in place of transfer Dylan Rock in left field and impressed. In 64 games, LaViolette posted a .287/.414/.632 slash line in 2023, leading the Aggies in home runs (21), RBI (63) and stolen bases (18).
LaViolette made freshman history, surpassing A&M legend John Byington's home run record (17) set in 1987 with a three towering shot performance against Mississippi State in the season finale. He also launched a pair of homers in the Stanford Regional against the No. 8-seeded Cardinal before elimination last week.
Known for his speed on the base path and in the field, LaViolette and was just two steals away from becoming A&M’s second player ever with 20 homers and 20 steals in the same season. His 10 doubles ranked fourth among A&M players behind first baseman Jack Moss (15), shortstop Hunter Haas (14) and third baseman Trevor Werner (12).
Hey 12th Man! Want to see the Aggies in action? Get your Texas A&M game tickets from SI Tickets here!
Follow AllAggies.com on Facebook and Twitter!
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Aggies? Click Here to Subscribe to the All Aggies Newsletter
Want even more Texas A&M Aggies News? Check out the SI.com team page here