Texas Longhorns baseball lands former Texas A&M LHP Tristen Bayless

A top prospect who once donned Aggie maroon will be switching to burnt orange for the 2019 season.

McLennan junior college left-handed pitcher Tristen Bayless, who played for Texas A&M as a freshman, has committed to Texas Longhorns baseball.

Bayless will play his sophomore season at McLennan and then will be eligible to play for David Pierce's squad for his junior year in 2019.

The Hutto, Texas native was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 35th round of the 2016 draft, but elected instead to play at College Station.

As a freshman at Texas A&M, Bayless saw only two appearances -- a one run, four strikeout close in three innings against UT Rio Grande Valley, and a brief appearance against LSU when he was pulled after giving up two straight walks.

Out of high school, Bayless was ranked as the No. 363 overall left-handed pitcher and was a 2014 and 2015 Perfect Game Underclass All American Honorable Mention. In his senior season at Hutto High School, Bayless was 8-1 with 158 strikeouts and a 0.93 ERA.

Bayless is also a solid outfielder, and hit for a .393 average his senior year of high school, though he was likely recruited to Texas for his arm more than his bat.

Bayless will provide a huge boost to a Texas pitching unit that lost several key contributors to the MLB draft. His left-handed arm will be vital to the bullpen, as the 'Horns currently have only three southpaws on the roster.