Slammed the door 🚪❌ pic.twitter.com/TcvIOKS0p1

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) March 2, 2023

castlewood107 said:

---

Why does the staff use Nelson as the most trusted pen guy? Makes no sense during a time you would think we would test some young arms -- he has 4 appearances already in what is effectively the preseason.

His numbers show he is who he is and dont think much is changing:

2019: 7 ERA, .276 BAA in 25 appearances
2022: 8.50 ERA, .316 BAA against in 20 appearances. Absolutely shredded in ACC play.

Massive barrel there from the Radford 9-hole hitter with the bases loaded.

EDIT for score update: 6-1 Radford mid-4, Highfill comes in to get the final out quickly.

---

I've wondered the same thing. Baker got rocked last year and they kept sending him out there.

NC State baseball stages dramatic comeback against Radford, remains unbeaten

https://www.technicianonline.com/sports/nc-state-baseball-stages-dramatic-comeback-against-radford-remains-unbeaten/article_f35c8c28-b8a8-11ed-ab09-97b65a8d9f88.html

IN additionto Baker Nelson's terrible outing, how concerned should I be about the starter basically getting hit hard by a sub 250 RPI Radford team?

89_Grad said:

---

IN additionto Baker Nelson's terrible outing, how concerned should I be about the starter basically getting hit hard by a sub 250 RPI Radford team?

---

Did he get hit hard? They scored their first three runs on two infield hits. I'm not concerned that a mid week guy gave up some runs, it's baseball, it happens.

89_Grad said:

---

IN additionto Baker Nelson's terrible outing, how concerned should I be about the starter basically getting hit hard by a sub 250 RPI Radford team?

---

the starter made his first career start (bullpen guy from Oregon) and only his second appearance of the season due to illness. He has a very good track record in the Pac12 over 2 seasons, so not overly worried. Will be interesting to see if they continue to try to extend him or leave him in a short bullpen role. Also, he wasn't hit hard, IMO. First batter made good contact, then he hit a guy and walked a guy. They had an infield hit, 2 ground outs and a fly out. Not defending his outing, because it wasn't great, but it was more of a control thing.

As for Baker- it is going to be very interesting to see what they decide to do with him. In the covid shortened year he was great, then arm surgery. Not saying you get a pass a year after arm surgery (aka last year), but TYPICALLY the player is back back 2 years later. He was off to a good start, but they can't afford him to have a repeat of last years numbers. Who takes the long bullpen role? Is that going to be Brittons role? I think Carson Kelly is a better option than Baker right now, but Baker will get more opportunities for sure. I feel like his stuff (on the ACC level) is very solid, but the control is not.

Alex Gee said:

---

pack2010 said:

---

89_Grad said:

---

IN additionto Baker Nelson's terrible outing, how concerned should I be about the starter basically getting hit hard by a sub 250 RPI Radford team?

---

the starter made his first career start (bullpen guy from Oregon) and only his second appearance of the season due to illness. He has a very good track record in the Pac12 over 2 seasons, so not overly worried. Will be interesting to see if they continue to try to extend him or leave him in a short bullpen role. Also, he wasn't hit hard, IMO. First batter made good contact, then he hit a guy and walked a guy. They had an infield hit, 2 ground outs and a fly out. Not defending his outing, because it wasn't great, but it was more of a control thing.

As for Baker- it is going to be very interesting to see what they decide to do with him. In the covid shortened year he was great, then arm surgery. Not saying you get a pass a year after arm surgery (aka last year), but TYPICALLY the player is back back 2 years later. He was off to a good start, but they can't afford him to have a repeat of last years numbers. Who takes the long bullpen role? Is that going to be Brittons role? I think Carson Kelly is a better option than Baker right now, but Baker will get more opportunities for sure. I feel like his stuff (on the ACC level) is very solid, but the control is not.

---

That is a really good way to sum up Nelson currently. I bet his spin rate is through the roof, just needs to be able to consistently locate.

I'd tier our pitching staff this way, curious as to what others think.

Very Confident they get the job done: Willadsen, Highfill, Lawson

Pretty confident thy get the job done: Whitaker, Fritton (So far)

Upside, but not sure: Nelson, Labriola, Britton

Enough innings to matter?: Kelly, Watkins, Miralia,

I know we've run out Harris and Smith a few times late in games that have basically been over, but I didn't include them on the list. Just don't see them throwing enough in meaningful moments this season.

I think those first 8 have a chance to be really solid for us in situations. We know Willadsen will eat innings on Saturdays in ACC play. Will be interesting to see whether or not we move Highfill to a starting role and who would then become a bridge guy, or if it would just be multiple guys. That's where one or more of the arms I listed in upside need to be strong for State.

---

Agreed with most of that. Like the top 3 and next tier. Me, personally, I would put Britton in the pretty confident stage based entirely on his Pac12 numbers.

I would put Kelly and Watkins in the upside but not sure category. Kelly had a very nice freshman campaign and IMO should have a role going forward. Watkins = definition of upside. I really think Lawson and Watkins can close games down with Watkins still in a "prove it" stage. Lawson was in the same situation last year coming from JUCO where he had average (at best) numbers.

Just being honest- I don't think Labriola has that much upside. I think he is a serviceable lefty, but at this point in his career, he is who is he. An okay fastball and inconsistent breaking pitch. That said, he has flashed being fine, with a possibility of putting together some solid outings if his breaking pitch is working. 0 walks so far for him is promising. IMO he is a very solid 5th starter if that is ever needed.

The enough innings to matter Miralia, for sure. Although his stuff was great this week, I think he could be a lefty/lefty matchup guy going forward (mainly because we don't have many LHP options). Same with Shaffner for now, he has upside, but will he get to show it this year?

To me, in an ideal world, Highfill/Willadsen/Fritton take the weekend rotation (assuming Fritton is ATLEAST decent for Sundays). Let Whitaker/Britton take the long relief (2-3 innings) on weekends, and Lawson/Watkins/Kelly take the 7th innings and beyond with Miralia and Baker getting spot time as needed. That will leave Labriola to the midweek with whoever else is available to get an inning or two there as well.

I think our pen is very strong when it comes to situational guys. My question is in long relief situations. Hopefully we find a guy that we can establish themselves as that mid week starter who can transition into your long relief guy like we've done in the past. Maybe you leave Highfill in that role for a while as long as the weekend starters keep fairing well. Having a trusted arm that you can bring in and count on to get you 3-4 innings is like having a cheat code, it solves so many problems.

Alex Gee said:

---

pack2010 said:

---

Alex Gee said:

---

pack2010 said:

---

89_Grad said:

---

IN additionto Baker Nelson's terrible outing, how concerned should I be about the starter basically getting hit hard by a sub 250 RPI Radford team?

---

the starter made his first career start (bullpen guy from Oregon) and only his second appearance of the season due to illness. He has a very good track record in the Pac12 over 2 seasons, so not overly worried. Will be interesting to see if they continue to try to extend him or leave him in a short bullpen role. Also, he wasn't hit hard, IMO. First batter made good contact, then he hit a guy and walked a guy. They had an infield hit, 2 ground outs and a fly out. Not defending his outing, because it wasn't great, but it was more of a control thing.

As for Baker- it is going to be very interesting to see what they decide to do with him. In the covid shortened year he was great, then arm surgery. Not saying you get a pass a year after arm surgery (aka last year), but TYPICALLY the player is back back 2 years later. He was off to a good start, but they can't afford him to have a repeat of last years numbers. Who takes the long bullpen role? Is that going to be Brittons role? I think Carson Kelly is a better option than Baker right now, but Baker will get more opportunities for sure. I feel like his stuff (on the ACC level) is very solid, but the control is not.

---

That is a really good way to sum up Nelson currently. I bet his spin rate is through the roof, just needs to be able to consistently locate.

I'd tier our pitching staff this way, curious as to what others think.

Very Confident they get the job done: Willadsen, Highfill, Lawson

Pretty confident thy get the job done: Whitaker, Fritton (So far)

Upside, but not sure: Nelson, Labriola, Britton

Enough innings to matter?: Kelly, Watkins, Miralia,

I know we've run out Harris and Smith a few times late in games that have basically been over, but I didn't include them on the list. Just don't see them throwing enough in meaningful moments this season.

I think those first 8 have a chance to be really solid for us in situations. We know Willadsen will eat innings on Saturdays in ACC play. Will be interesting to see whether or not we move Highfill to a starting role and who would then become a bridge guy, or if it would just be multiple guys. That's where one or more of the arms I listed in upside need to be strong for State.

---

Agreed with most of that. Like the top 3 and next tier. Me, personally, I would put Britton in the pretty confident stage based entirely on his Pac12 numbers.

I would put Kelly and Watkins in the upside but not sure category. Kelly had a very nice freshman campaign and IMO should have a role going forward. Watkins = definition of upside. I really think Lawson and Watkins can close games down with Watkins still in a "prove it" stage. Lawson was in the same situation last year coming from JUCO where he had average (at best) numbers.

Just being honest- I don't think Labriola has that much upside. I think he is a serviceable lefty, but at this point in his career, he is who is he. An okay fastball and inconsistent breaking pitch. That said, he has flashed being fine, with a possibility of putting together some solid outings if his breaking pitch is working. 0 walks so far for him is promising. IMO he is a very solid 5th starter if that is ever needed.

The enough innings to matter Miralia, for sure. Although his stuff was great this week, I think he could be a lefty/lefty matchup guy going forward (mainly because we don't have many LHP options). Same with Shaffner for now, he has upside, but will he get to show it this year?

To me, in an ideal world, Highfill/Willadsen/Fritton take the weekend rotation (assuming Fritton is ATLEAST decent for Sundays). Let Whitaker/Britton take the long relief (2-3 innings) on weekends, and Lawson/Watkins/Kelly take the 7th innings and beyond with Miralia and Baker getting spot time as needed. That will leave Labriola to the midweek with whoever else is available to get an inning or two there as well.

---

This is good stuff. I was thinking "updside" more as upside to State's season. As in if Nelson and Britton can be strong bullpen pieces and Labriola can give you 4-6 really good innings in midweek starts against ECU and UNCW... but that could also be a spot for Whitaker/Fritton if Highfill bumps to a starting spot.

I 100% agree with Watkins being the definition of personal upside. 95+ with a good breaking ball isn't something State has had in a bullpen arm recently if he can locate. He along with Kelly, Nelson, and Miralia fit the mold of matchup guys perfectly on a team that plays deep in the postseason. That would mean that we have two guys emerge (Britton/one of the 3 presumed starters) as a long relief stud and Lawson is locking down games late. If we don't get that, then one or two of Kelly, Nelson, Watkins, and Miralia would need to take a big step.

---

Gotcha, my bad the upside thing makes more sense now. Labriola is going to be a big piece of our season for sure. Baker will probably get a long leash still.

In an ideal world, you get 5-6 innings from our starters and hand it over to some of these guys we have mentioned. I feel like if you get to the 6th/7th inning with Britton/Watkins/Lawson available you will feel pretty good, assuming Watkins continues to throw well. Then throw in the matchups, and we can see what happens with our pen, because the number of arms is there.

Also, where is Jacob Halford? He was the pick to click based on D1, and they didn't make that up. No idea why he isn't getting any run unless he is hurt. He was a midweek arm IMO and if he progressed like it seemed, could have been a contributor.

Also, losing Win Scott might prove to be a decent loss too. No idea how good he was going to be this year, but he finished the summer strong, and was one of the first lefties to get a chance to throw this year (granted, it was a low leverage situation, but basically all of our bullpen arms have been lower leverage). Him and Halford were guys that could eat up midweek innings and let Labriola be more of a specialist on weekends (or flip that to whatever arm is the best)

Halford, Dienes,and Sipple are the only pitchers we have who haven't seen any action so far I think, and I assume at this point if a guy hasn't gotten in any of these blowouts they must have something injury wise.

wilmwolf80 said:

---

Halford, Dienes,and Sipple are the only pitchers we have who haven't seen any action so far I think, and I assume at this point if a guy hasn't gotten in any of these blowouts they must have something injury wise.

---

yup and Win Scott throwing 2 pitches, but we know that was an injury. Bummer considering our need for lefties.

pack2010 said:

---

wilmwolf80 said:

---

Halford, Dienes,and Sipple are the only pitchers we have who haven't seen any action so far I think, and I assume at this point if a guy hasn't gotten in any of these blowouts they must have something injury wise.

---

yup and Win Scott throwing 2 pitches, but we know that was an injury. Bummer considering our need for lefties.

---

Can Serrano pitch? Lol.

wilmwolf80 said:

---

pack2010 said:

---

wilmwolf80 said:

---

Halford, Dienes,and Sipple are the only pitchers we have who haven't seen any action so far I think, and I assume at this point if a guy hasn't gotten in any of these blowouts they must have something injury wise.

---

yup and Win Scott throwing 2 pitches, but we know that was an injury. Bummer considering our need for lefties.

---

Can Serrano pitch? Lol.

---

with as talented as he is, he'd probably throw low 90s with a good 3 pitch mix

also, that kid who joined from the club team (flontek or something) is no longer on the roster. what a roller coaster. kid joins the team in the spring, seemingly goes through practice and workouts only to not make it on the regular season roster when it comes out. of course, that could have been his choice, but weird stuff.

wilmwolf80 said:

---

Halford, Dienes,and Sipple are the only pitchers we have who haven't seen any action so far I think, and I assume at this point if a guy hasn't gotten in any of these blowouts they must have something injury wise.

---

I thought Dienes threw well this summer. I thought we would see him with an opportunity to throw a little. Either the staff is very deep or he doesn't pitch as well in Raleigh. Maybe we will see him in the future.

Packsd14me said:

---

wilmwolf80 said:

---

Halford, Dienes,and Sipple are the only pitchers we have who haven't seen any action so far I think, and I assume at this point if a guy hasn't gotten in any of these blowouts they must have something injury wise.

---

I thought Dienes threw well this summer. I thought we would see him with an opportunity to throw a little. Either the staff is very deep or he doesn't pitch as well in Raleigh. Maybe we will see him in the future.

---

yea Dienes is a little bit of a bummer. he had 17 Ks in 10.2 innings this summer but walked 12 guys. Walking more than 1 an inning wont cut it. if he puts it together (or gets healthy i guess) he has swing and miss stuff. but gotta throw strikes

Has it been said what kind of injury Win Scott has and how long the recovery is? I remember he entered his name in the portal and I was surprised he stayed.

braz213 said:

---

Has it been said what kind of injury Win Scott has and how long the recovery is? I remember he entered his name in the portal and I was surprised he stayed.

---

never saw it announced. also, had no idea he was in the portal. hopefully he can get healthy and help us