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Trevor Rogers signs with Texas Tech baseball

Matt Hollinshead
Carlsbad Current-Argus
Carlsbad baseball's Trevor Rogers signs with NCAA Division I Texas Tech University on Monday.

CARLSBAD – Trevor Rogers has enviable, indisputable talent on the mound.

Carlsbad's senior ace shows great poise and control attacking the strike zone, and his big outings have yielded big-time recognition entering the next level.

Rogers will take his overpowering presence with him to NCAA Division I baseball power Texas Tech University in Lubbock after signing with the Red Raiders on a full-ride scholarship on Monday.

"It's a blessing. I give all the glory to God, for him giving me this opportunity to play Division I baseball. It really doesn't happen that much around this part of the country in smaller Carlsbad, New Mexico. It doesn't matter where you come from. As long as you work hard, you can do big things," Rogers said. "I just think they're going to be a very good program in the years to come, being No. 5 in the country right now."

The reality of playing Division I baseball is now slamming into the 6-foot-7 Rogers.

"Freshman year, I was just trying to make varsity and trying to win a state championship. As the years went by, it's gotten more and more real that I can possibly play Division I baseball," Rogers said. "Junior year, Texas Tech really sprung up on my list."

Rogers has family in the Lubbock area and grew up watching Texas Tech baseball on television, so it made sense for him in the end.

"I pretty much grew up in a Red Raider household," Rogers said. "I think they hold themselves to a higher standard than other programs. Me going on my official visit this past weekend, I got to catch a fall game. It was pretty much like seeing a live regular season baseball game, so it was pretty fun."

Rogers also said the location made sense, given that Lubbock is only a three-hour drive to and from Carlsbad.

"It's pretty much a home away from home. I love that town," Rogers said.

Rogers said he also built a good rapport with Texas Tech pitching coach Ray Hayward, which made him feel even better about his decision to join the Red Raiders. Rogers said Texas Tech's pitching staff stresses mental toughness in different situations, which suits the lefty.

Rogers has thrown in games against strong New Mexico high school baseball teams like Volcano Vista and Rio Rancho.

Carlsbad's Trevor Rogers throws a strike in the 6A state quarterfinals Thursday, May 12 against Eldorado at UNM's Santa Ana Star Field in Albuquerque. Rogers signed with NCAA Division I's Texas Tech on Monday.

Rogers went 9-2 during his junior year in 2016, posting a 0.70 earned run average and striking out 122 batters. Although he admits he still still to work on being consistent with his off-speed pitches, Rogers has given opponents trouble by attacking different corners of the plate for strikes. And whenever he gets in a jam with runners on base, he's found ways to get that big strikeout or ground out to carry on in the game.

Even throwing in long relief in the 6A state championship game against Rio Rancho, he showed great poise and did some damage control by not letting the Rams build on their first run of the game.

Rogers said he's taken his uncle's advice about not showing emotion on the mound.

"That spoke volumes to me," Rogers said. "I really don't show that much emotion on the mound. It really doesn't help either way. I just try to stay as calm and relaxed as I can."

Rogers said he thinks Texas Tech took notice of how high his ceiling is after hearing about his state title game performance.

The Red Raiders compete in the Big 12 Conference alongside University of Texas and Texas Christian University, two other Division I baseball powers. Texas Tech went 47-20 in 2016 and was one of eight teams to reach the College World Series. Texas Tech was eliminated by national champion Coastal Carolina.

Moving forward, Rogers said he must throw more off-speed pitches and do a better job locating the strike zone that way.

"If I get that confidence on my off-speed pitches, I think everything will be good," Rogers said.

Current-Argus Sports Editor Matt Hollinshead may be reached at 575-628-5518, mhollinshead@currentargus.com and @MattH_717 on Twitter.