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CAREER: Has pitched in 47 games as an Aggie, including 23 starts... owns a 10-7 career record and one save with a 4.13 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 150.1 innings of work.2021 (SENIOR): Started on the mound in 14 games for the Aggies... posted a 6-6 record with a 4.27 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 84.1 innings... finished the year ranked first on the team in starts (14), wins (6), innings pitched (84.1), strikeouts (104), and third in WHIP (1.26)... earned his first win of the year in the Round Rock Classic opener again Baylor (2/26), working 5.2 innings, yielding three runs on nine hits while fanning five... awarded his second win in a stellar performance against New Mexico State (3/5), marking a career-high in innings pitched (7.2), pitches thrown (111) and strikeouts (9)... revamped his career-high in the series opening win over Samford (3/12), tossing 8.0 scoreless frames, scattering four hits and one walk while sitting down 14 batters via strikeout... earned his fourth win of the season against Georgia (3/26) for tossing 5.2 innings, yielding three runs on six hits while striking out 11 and walking one... tossed a gem and earned the win over Missouri (4/1) for working through seven scoreless frames, scattering three hits and three walks while sitting down 10 Missouri batters via strikeout... earned a win over LSU (5/20) in the series opener for workign through 8.0 innings, yielding one lone run on two hits and two walks while sitting down eight Tigers via strikeout.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40Saenz worked as both a starter and a reliever in his first three seasons at Texas A&M, and after going undrafted in the truncated 2020 Draft, he officially moved into a starting role for good as a senior last spring. He was inconsistent for much of the season but ended on a high with striking out eight and allowing one run on two hits over eight innings against LSU in his final outing. The Nationals selected the southpaw in the fourth round a few weeks later and signed him for just below slot at $500,000. He made brief appearances (mostly in relief to save his arm) in the Florida Complex League and with Low-A Fredericksburg in his first taste of the pros.Saenz tends to lean on his low-80s slider because of its two-plane break. It’s easily his best pitch, and some analysts say it had some of the best metrics among similar pitches in the 2021 Draft class. His fastball doesn’t quite pop in terms of velo at 90-93 mph. It does come with some decent sink, however, and Saenz has little issue spotting to any side of the plate. A low-80s changeup with depth gives him enough to work as a starter, but he didn’t use that specific offering much at A&M.At just 5-foot-11, Saenz isn’t a classic candidate to add more gas in the pro game. There’s a chance the fastball could play up if he’s moved back to the bullpen and given shorter stints. For now, his promising command and control will give him a puncher’s chance to start, at least early in his journey through the Minors.
Activated yesterday off the 7-day IL, pitching at Fredericksburg. So far this year in 6 starts: 2-0, 31.1 IP, 35Ks, 10BB, 3.45 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
6 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 8Ks tonight. 2.29 era this season. Maybe he gets moved up to AA to make room for Bennett?
