Ross Stripling

Classroom

As a junior, Stripling earned third-team Capital One Academic All-America and All-District VI honors in addition to All-America accolades on the diamond. Majoring in Finance, Stripling has earned first-team Academic All-Big 12 honors as both a junior and sophomore and maintains a 3.61 GPA. Additionally, Stripling, who is a three-time Texas A&M Scholar Athlete, returned to school for his senior year after being drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the ninth round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He is on pace to graduate this May.

Character

A team-first individual, Stripling has filled a variety of roles during his time in College Station with a “whatever helps the ball club” attitude. Shuffling between roles in the bullpen and starting rotation the last three seasons, the one thing unchanged has been Stripling’s attitude. Hard work in the classroom, the weight room and on the practice field has always been a given for the Southlake, Texas, native as he sets a great example for his teammates. Additionally, Stripling has handled his success on the field in stride as well, always being available to the media and for Texas A&M’s promotional staff to support and assist in their coverage and support of the baseball team.

Community

Stripling is active in the Bryan/College Station communities, going above and beyond what is expected of Texas A&M student-athletes. In addition to participating in A&M baseball’s annual “Paint-a-Thon” during which the team seeks out a family in need of home repairs and assists in that effort, Stripling has always played a leading role in the team’s baseball clinics for area kids. Stripling has also participated in the Classroom All-Stars program as well as the Junior Aggie Club Kids Day while visiting local schools to promote fitness.

Competition

Stripling blossomed into one of the country’s most dependable starting pitchers as a junior in 2011, along the way leading the country in wins with 14 and garnering All-America honors. Following the season, he was selected as an All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings (first team), Collegiate Baseball (third team) and College Baseball Insider (honorable mention). Starting in the bullpen, the right-handed racked up three saves (one later in postseason play) and a 0.00 ERA before being transitioned into the starting rotation a month into the season. He finished with a 2.29 ERA with 123 strikeouts in 125.2 innings pitched, while holding opponents to a team-low .202 batting average. On the final day of the regular season, Stripling tossed a four-hit complete game shutout at No. 4 Texas to give the Aggies a share of the Big 12 Regular Season Championship. Stripling was a key reason the Aggies made their fifth-ever trip to Omaha, Neb., and the College World Series as he went 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA and one save during four appearances in the NCAA Tournament. For his career, Stripling has 21 victories on the mound, ranking him at No. 11 on the Texas A&M all-time list.