Hokie ClubDALLAS – Turning down professional baseball last summer to rise the collegiate ranks into the ACC, Virginia Tech junior pitcher Aiden Robertson has been named to the 2026 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division I Preseason All-America Fourth Team, as announced by the organization on Friday.
Despite having yet to make his NCAA Division I debut, Robertson demonstrated coveted potential during his sophomore season (2025) at Walters State Community College, where he went 13-1 with a 4.12 ERA, recording 130 strikeouts through 89 and two-thirds innings pitched. During the 2025 MLB Draft, Robertson was selected during the 13th round by the Texas Rangers at No. 385 overall – above Virginia Tech’s entire 2025 draft class – though declined to sign in favor of continuing his collegiate career with the Hokies in the ever-competitive ACC.
A native of Manchester, Tennessee, by way of Coffee County High School, Robertson cultivated a winning mentality during his two seasons at Walters State, where the Senators sported a 103-22-1 record spanning the 2024 and 2025 campaigns. As a sophomore, the right-hander was instrumental in powering Walters State to the 2025 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series, where he won both of his two starts – the latter of which vaulted the Senators into the national championship round.
Roberston is lauded by analysts and scouts alike for his plate command and strike-throwing ability, perception justified by his career 12.96 strikeouts-per-nine-innings average. His five-pitch mix is bound to play among the best arms in the ACC, featuring a changeup that Virginia Tech’s new pitching coach, Doug Willey, chalks up as one that could ride among the best in the nation.
With Robertson in its arsenal, Virginia Tech heads into 2026 with a myriad of pitching options at its disposal. For head coach John Szefc, the scrutiny is less who is handed the ball on the mound and more how those many pieces are utilized from week to week.
“[We have] several, several guys that we feel like we can go with different looks, different options – left, right – as far as bullpen stuff goes,” said Szefc.
“Aiden Robertson was drafted during the 13th round by the [Texas] Rangers and chose to come to school. That immediately makes us better.”
Robertson will be in the queue to make his Virginia Tech debut next weekend when the Hokies open their 2026 regular season schedule against William & Mary. Game times at English Field are scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 13), 4 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 14) and 1 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 15).