SAN ANTONIO — When Jim Schlossnagle bolted Texas A&M for in-state rival Texas last month, he probably didn’t get many congratulatory calls from folks in College Station.
But it was a call from San Antonio a few days later, that gave Schlossnagle and the Longhorns one of the top prospects in all of baseball.
“He never reached out to first, but I had his contact saved from before because Coach Schloss was the first coach I ever talked to,” says Kayson Cunningham, a rising senior at San Antonio’s Johnson High School who was previously committed to Texas Tech.
“I called him and said I was thinking about decommitting. He’s like ‘we would love for you to become a Longhorn.’”
But while Kayson wears a Texas hat during batting practice, don’t fault his father if he doesn’t. Kayson’s dad Marco was a star infielder in the late 1990’s at Texas Tech!
“I know he’s super excited,” says Kayson of his dad. “He’s really the one who made me think about changing. He supports me 100%."
After playing for the Red Raiders, Marco was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 27th Round of the 2000 MLB Draft.
“My dad probably won’t be wearing burnt orange, but that’s ok,” laughs Kayson. “As long as they’re there I love it."
It’s no guarantee Kayson even plays in college.
He’s mocked as a first round pick in next year’s MLB Draft. ESPN recently pegged him as the 31st overall prospect (high school or college) in the country for 2025.
If the offer is right, Kayson could sign straight from Johnson high school.
“It’s all in God’s hands. I’m just thankful for the opportunity, I’m taking it day by day,” Cunningham said. “When the draft comes, the draft comes. If I’m blessed enough to sign, then I’ll sign.”
It’ll certainly boost Kayson’s stock that he was just named the 18U Team USA squad last week. Kayson and the rest of America’s top prospects will compete against the best in the world at the Pan-Am Games.
“My ultimate dream is to become a big-leaguer. That’s been my dream since I can remember…..not only being a big leaguer but being a big-league star.”
He’ll get to experience a major league ballpark later this summer, when he plays in the MLB All-American Game at San Diego’s Petco Park.
If all goes according to plan, it will be his first stop on the big league tour.