Michael Earley previews Texas A&M's home series vs. Kentucky

Ahead of the weekend's series against Kentucky at Blue Bell Park, Texas A&M head baseball coach Michael Earley joined us on Thursday's edition of TexAgs Live to give some quick injury updates before diving into the key players behind the Aggies' midseason improvements.

Key notes from Michael Earley interview

• Caden Sorrell took live at-bats yesterday. He's been running. He should be good to go. We have to ease him back into it. It will depend on how he feels and what we feel we can do. We don't want to get him back and get him hurt. You'll see him in some capacity this weekend.
   
• Gavin Kash didn't practice yesterday. He got on some anti-inflammatories. I anticipate him to be available on Friday.
   
• Josh Stewart is still the same. He won't pitch this weekend. We aren't making the progress we need to get him back out there. It's not working out for him currently.
   
• I'll have baseball on at home for some background noise tonight. I have a couple of former players in the MLB. One made the Cubs, but I don't enjoy big league baseball as much as I used to.
   
• To carry the success from Houston Christian into the series against Kentucky, it’s about being in the war of the situation you're in and competing. The guys had some good moments as far as some two-strike counts, but it's always good to get a win. I will never complain about a win. I still think we can be better than what we have been.
   
• We had a really good practice yesterday and will have a really good one today. We will continue to push them and find success for this team. In their defense, they really bought in. But we can continue to climb and grow. They will all get going at one time, in my eyes, and take off for the season, so I'm excited.
   
• Ben Royo needs to continue to play good defense and get a bunt down when he needs to. By understanding his role, I think it's freed him up a little. I need him to situational hit when it's time and compete in the box. He did that Tuesday, and he's got some really raw skill. He can run, he can throw and he's definitely powerful. It's about him being consistent with it.
   
• We have to play clean against Kentucky. And then again, Royo turned double plays against the two fastest guys, which most people can’t do. If a team bunts a lot or gives you those outs, you have to take those outs. You only get 27 in a game. You need to take them when you're given them.
   
• Bear Harrison looks great. I like his presence in the box. He goes in with the intent to do damage. He's catching really well and throwing well. He's doing great. We got to see the metrics after the game, and he's getting some pitches in the buffer zone that we needed to get. We want him to continue to develop, and he's definitely providing something that we need.
   
• Jacob Galloway is still in the mix for catcher. I think Harrison has also earned it. He can really catch. Being right-handed and having that bat in the order is why we are going with him.
   
• Caden McCoy, in that first inning, I think it was really uncharacteristic, but credit to him for bouncing back. McCoy continues to show us why he should play baseball, and we've seen him get better every outing. He’s a low-maintenance player, with a low heartbeat and is highly competitive. He is a future star in this program.
   
• McCoy is providing a left-handed option. Out of the bullpen, he gives us a left-handed. He’s a lefty and a strikethrower. He's really good against right-handed batters because he's buried in that inside corner and can get to them.
   
• It’s going to be a fight. We need to win this weekend. It’s two teams, and it'll be who is more desperate to win. I like where we are at. I analyze them but don't try to get inside what they are thinking. We need to prioritize what we are doing on a consistent level. We are just excited to get back out there and get to practice today and win. We will come out fighting. I like our guys and how we prepare. I'm so confident in them and always will be.
   
• Against the Kentucky Wildcats, from an offensive standpoint, we need to take the outs when we get them. Pitchers have to be good with their leg times to the plate. The pitcher has an OK leg time, and the catcher catches. It's about playing baseball. When teams get you out of rhythm, you just have to stick with it. They are a really good team, though. They throw strikes. It's the SEC. They are a really good baseball team. They'll present a challenge, but nothing we won't be prepared for.