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NC State Baseball

BASEBALL: What to Look for this Offseason

June 14, 2023
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With NC State’s season in the books and players already entering the portal, let’s look at what this offseason could look like for Elliott Avent’s team.

Locks to be Gone (3):

Gino Groover had an excellent junior year and is set to cash in big time in the MLB Draft in June. I had questions about Groover coming to Raleigh from Charlotte aside from just the better competition, but he answered all those soundly. He walked more, hit for more power, and his overall numbers improved. He’s a likely day one pick with his pure hitting ability.

Trevor Candelaria and Parker Nolan are out of eligibility.

Already in the Portal (6):

Michael Gupton, Isaiah Barkett, Everette Harris, Tristan Sipple, Payton Green, and Will Marcy are reported to be in the portal by D1Baseball. Green and Marcy are the notable names.

Green struggled in ACC play and Marcy was in and out of the lineup all year without a clear role next season. Gupton was highly regarded out of high school and is very toolsy, but he only got five at bats this year. Clearly way down the depth chart, and I would not have projected him as a regular next year.

I’d be surprised if these are the only players State loses to the portal.

Draft Possibilities (3):

Justin Lawson, Rio Britton, and Carter Trice all struggled in conference play but have traits and track record that could lead them to get selected come July.

Lawson and Britton are solid relievers with good fastballs and an offspeed pitch that can get outs. Trice has an excellent track record but was not a factor in conference play.

I think it’s very possible teams overlook his struggles in 52 ACC plate appearances. If he does not get picked, does he go in the portal? I wouldn’t think he returns after being a non-factor, but maybe the likelihood of having to sit out pushes him back to Raleigh.

In order of most likely to get drafted to least: Britton, Trice, Lawson.

Decisions to Make (5):

Sam Highfill, Matt Willadsen, Logan Whitaker, Baker Nelson, and Noah Soles are the holdovers from the CWS team in 2021 (Whitaker wasn’t actually on the team, but he was the year before; you get the point).

All these guys have been draft-eligible previously, I’d be surprised if any of them get drafted this year. Would the same opportunities as this year await this group next year, or would they be in a different role?

Willadsen certainly will have a weekend starter spot waiting for him (I’d be recruiting him back with NIL if I’m State), and Whitaker and Soles likely would. Highfill and Nelson would be less certain. Are they interested in that? Do they want a change of scenery? Can they get a UDFA deal to play a couple years of pro ball?

I have no idea what to expect for these five.

Projected Regulars in 2024 (9):

If it wasn’t for the portal, this category wouldn’t exist, but here we are. Eli Serrano, Cannon Peebles, Jacob Cozart, Chase Nixon, Kalae Harrison, Dom Fritton, Andrew Shaffner, Carson Kelly, and Jacob Halford would have significant projected roles in Raleigh next year.

The Columbia outings for Shaffner and Halford were eye-opening. Of course, the portal is an option for everybody (Harrison would have to sit and is also the only draft eligible player in this group).

In the lineup, you’ve got some pieces: Peebles and Cozart in the middle of the order, Harrison up the middle, Serrano and Nixon penciled in. That’s not a bad starting point, especially if you can add Soles and/or Trice to that group.

Others of note (8): Matt Heavner, Dom Pilolli, John Miralia, PJ Labriola, Win Scott, Creed Watkins, Derrick Smith, Carson Falsken.

Incoming Freshmen:

The main guys to watch in regards to the draft are RHPs Chance Mako and Landen Maroudis. Alex Sosa is a catcher from Florida who has picked up some steam, as well. We will talk about them more as the draft gets closer. You can find a full list of commits here.

Discussion from...

BASEBALL: What to Look for this Offseason

2,466 Views | 18 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by Alex Gee
JCooke93
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C.Falsken1 isn't coming back unfortunately
pack2010
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does baker nelson have any eligibility left? i am sure he can get an extra year due to his arm injury, but not sure that is in stone.
Jtilley
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IMO at some point you just need to cut bait with some of the older guys on the pitching side. I'm not calling anyone out in particular but we have to develop some younger arms from within.
EthanBarry
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pack2010 said:

does baker nelson have any eligibility left? i am sure he can get an extra year due to his arm injury, but not sure that is in stone.


Yes
EthanBarry
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Jtilley said:

IMO at some point you just need to cut bait with some of the older guys on the pitching side. I'm not calling anyone out in particular but we have to develop some younger arms from within.


Agree
JCooke93
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Hm
Glasswolf
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With the exception of 4-5 arms, the pitching staff needs new arms. You will see some. Will they be the correct arms?
I asked a ref if he could give me a technical foul for thinking bad things about him. He said, of course not. I said, well, I think you stink. And he gave me a technical. You can't trust em.


JCooke93
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I hope so
CLTWolf
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Glasswolf said:

With the exception of 4-5 arms, the pitching staff needs new arms. You will see some. Will they be the correct arms?
That's the million dollar question.

Look at UVA...they brought in 5 transfer pitchers from powerhouses such as Army, Elon, VCU and Georgetown. Also brought in a good one from Coastal Carolina. He was good but probably not as good as the guys from Army and Elon.

UVA also had 5 true FR contribute anywhere from 10 to 23 appearances ranging from 16 to 65 innings.

They had 3 guys from the 2022 team come back and they were the closers Berry and Woolfolk and another guy that had 16 appearances for 15 innings this year.

If we can bring Britton back along with guys like Fritton, Shaffner and somehow manage to get a Mako in school, that's a good start. Seems like Ethan doesn't like Lawson's draft prospects but I think he's one to worry about. Would love to get him back as well.

Cross your fingers on Banks but IMO, he's getting drafted and signing.

My point is, UVA showed that it can be done. IF we can keep Banks, that's a damn good start to portaling. I also like that we seem to be leaving no stone unturned looking at D2 and D3 kids as well.

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EthanBarry
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Part of it is using the guys you have. Only 6 guys threw more than 20 innings in ACC play. Have to use more next year. Mako/Maroudis would be a big part of the equation as would Shaffner and Halford. I'm lower on Lawson in the draft because of his ACC numbers but could definitely see a team liking his slider
pack2010
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EthanBarry said:

Part of it is using the guys you have. Only 6 guys threw more than 20 innings in ACC play. Have to use more next year. Mako/Maroudis would be a big part of the equation as would Shaffner and Halford. I'm lower on Lawson in the draft because of his ACC numbers but could definitely see a team liking his slider

maybe it's me, but I am not as high on Halford, he is definitely in the prove it stage. over 2 years in college, he has had 1 good outing (admittedly I didn't see his UNC outing this year, but it was good on paper). with all his hype coming into the year, IF he can put it together he can be a better version of Baker Nelson, IMO. but counting on him to have a big role next year is a little premature.
EthanBarry
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Definitely fair, but is counting on him as like, your 4th or 5th bullpen option doing too much?
EthanBarry
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My mock pitcher depth chart just with what you've got. Just for argument we'll say Britton, Nelson and Highfill are gone, one of Mako/Maroudis and Banks signs.

Willadsen
Fritton
Mako or Maroudis

Whitaker midweeks

Lawson
Kelly
Shaffner
Halford
Factor in a couple portal guys I think that's fine.
pack2010
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EthanBarry said:

Definitely fair, but is counting on him as like, your 4th or 5th bullpen option doing too much?

not at all. and i would love it if he steps up, D1 said he has great stuff. He could be an upgraded Nelson, and that would be a good role for him. but he has to show the consistency first.

depending on who comes back + the portal, he could have a shot at innings. but if we get some guys back that might be fringe (lawson, britton) it'll be an uphill battle for him
JCooke93
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Nelson Banks Highfill Logan Gone in my opinion but I hope i am wrong
pack2010
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JCooke93 said:

Nelson Banks Highfill Logan Gone in my opinion bit I hope i am wrong

i hate to say it, but all of those guys are replaceable (never thought I would say that about Highfill). Banks excluded b/c we don't know what he can do.

Unfortunately it seems like Highfill never fully recovered and was just very inconsistent this year. Nelson and Whitaker too. Both flashed being solid, but game to game, never quite knew what you were going to get.
CLTWolf
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EthanBarry said:

My mock pitcher depth chart just with what you've got. Just for argument we'll say Britton, Nelson and Highfill are gone, one of Mako/Maroudis and Banks signs.

Willadsen
Fritton
Mako or Maroudis

Whitaker midweeks

Lawson
Kelly
Shaffner
Halford
Factor in a couple portal guys I think that's fine.
our boy Matt Carter said that his sources think that Whitaker is more likely to move on before Highfill will.

Even if Maroudis (likely) and Mako (hoping he doesn't) sign I bet we'll see a true FR or two contribute next year. There are some good arms in this class.
*Wolfpack Baseball - 2021 *NCAA COLLEGE WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!
*Congrats to the 10 win 2021 Wolfpack football team!
Alex Gee
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Staff
EthanBarry said:

My mock pitcher depth chart just with what you've got. Just for argument we'll say Britton, Nelson and Highfill are gone, one of Mako/Maroudis and Banks signs.

Willadsen
Fritton
Mako or Maroudis

Whitaker midweeks

Lawson
Kelly
Shaffner
Halford
Factor in a couple portal guys I think that's fine.


If one of Whitaker/Highfill come back I'd think there's next to zero chance they're relegated to midweek starts. Have to think that's a likely spot for a guy like Payne or Carson Kelly.
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