LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Start spreading the news. Alex Bustamante is officially a member of the New York Yankees organization. After going undrafted in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft, Bustamante will begin his professional career after signing a free agent contract.
 
Bustamante, a junior, worked 28 games for the Aggies last season, all in relief. The first-year Aggie put together one of the best seasons as a closer in NM State history, tying for fifth on the single-season saves list with eight.
 
Out of the bullpen, Bustamante became a key figure as the Aggies won the WAC Championship. Over a stretch of ten appearances between April 29 and May 28, Bustamante did not allow a run. In the WAC Championship Game, the closer worked 3.0 scoreless inning to earn the save and punch NM State's ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
 
In 34.2 innings pitched, the right-hander struck out 50 hitters, finishing third on the team in punchouts. The Tucson, Arizona native came to the Aggies after pitching at Incarnate Word, Pima Community College, and New Mexico Military Institute.
 
Bustamante joins Ian Mejia (Atlanta Braves) and Sammy Natera (Los Angeles Angels) as the third member of the 2022 Aggies to sign with an MLB franchise. Brandon Rodriguez, Frank Dickson IV, and Lyle Hibbitts have also signed contracts to play professional baseball in independent leagues.
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