BASEBALL: What to Look for this Offseason

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.