Versatile Jamal George ready to help Texas A&M
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Lorenzo Delgado, Contributor
- February 28, 2025
Jamal George has climbed to Texas A&M from Puerto Rico
HOUSTON – Like many aspiring baseball players in Puerto Rico, Texas A&M junior Jamal George attended a baseball academy to nurture his baseball skills, develop his craft and, more importantly, the academics.
After graduating from the International Baseball Academy in Fajardo at 18 years old, George moved to Montgomery, Ala., where he was awarded a baseball scholarship to play at Alabama State University.
He didn’t speak any English when George stepped foot on the Alabama State campus. Fortunately, Alabama State head coach Jose Vazquez is a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Vazquez and associate head coach Drew Clark took the time to help teach George his second language.
The Puerto Rican infielder grasped the challenge and accepted it.
“I’ve been learning (English) through these three years,” George says. “It was hard at first, but I mean it’s hard like anything you just have to embrace it and keep it up because if not, you can’t do nothing. So I try my best, and if I like this item or misunderstood something I just ask.”
Beside communicating with his teammates and coaches, George continues to practice his English off the field. The 21-year-old utility man still laughs at some of his early challenges in Alabama. One day he was about to order the No. 1 Chick-Fil-A Sandwich meal, but he forgot the name of the meal.
Luckily, someone just told him, “Yo, you just have to say No. 1.”
Jamal George racked up awards
George never let anything get to him, not even his size. The 5-foot-8 Boricua was named the 2021 and 2022 Perfect Game League Player of the Year in Puerto Rico. Jamal George was awarded the 2022 Selección de Puerto Rico MVP and 2022 Alto Honor.
Furthermore, George hit .310 with 10 doubles, nine home runs, 35 RBIs, and slugged .523 in 50 games as a sophomore at Alabama State. He was named the 2023 SWAC Freshman of the Year and a 2023 Second Team All-SWAC and Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American.
George’s mother always told Jamal to be himself as a kid. It’s helped him be the person and player he is today.
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“People are gonna talk, but you just got to do you,” George said of what his mom told him. “Since I was young she always told me that people are just gonna find the bad in you, but you just got to keep striving and be you.”
The Aggies lost the best-of-three series to the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2024 Men’s College World Series championship in late June. Two weeks later, George transferred to Texas A&M. It was a dream for him to play in the Southeastern Conference. He always wanted something bigger for him and his future.
Versatile Boricua
The native of Trujillo, Puerto Rico, has played in three of the Aggies’ seven games in right field. George is currently batting .333 with a single, double, two walks, and one RBI.
“He brings versatility,” Texas A&M head coach Michael Earley said of George. “He also brings a energy, a charisma and a skill set that’s really, really good. He can do a lot of different things, whether it’s play honestly left (field), center, right, second, shortstop, if we needed third and even catch.
“He’s awesome for a coach to have on his team. Just what he brings and the kind of person he is, is even better than the player.”
George could potentially see some time in the infield with sophomore third baseman Gavin Grahovac out for the rest of the season due to a left shoulder injury. Wyatt Henseler, who started 49 games at third base at the University of Pennsylvania, is now seeing some time at third base. Freshman Sawyer Farr and George could potentially split time at second base.
“Since the moment I got here I just told (Earley), ‘Hey, wherever you need me I’m here for you. If you need me to pitch, I’ll pitch,'” George says. “It’s been awesome. I’m just so committed to this team and whatever I need to do I’ll do it.”
Featured art courtesy Texas A&M Athletics.
Lorenzo Delgado
Contributor
Lorenzo Delgado graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and is currently attending the University of Houston to earn his master’s degree. Lorenzo was formerly a contributing baseball writer for Call to the Pen on the Fansided Network. He is the host of an Astros baseball podcast called Full Seam Ahead, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and wherever podcasts are found.
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