Story Poster
Photo by Steve Murphy/Inside Pack Sports
NC State Baseball

Drew Lanphere Reportedly Returning to NC State

June 28, 2025
1,873

Inside Pack Sports has learned that catcher Drew Lanphere will withdraw his name from the transfer portal and return to NC State for his redshirt junior season.

The Wendell, N.C. native played in 36 games for the Wolfpack in 2025, starting in 23, and batted .217 in 83 at-bats. Lanphere tallied three doubles, one home run, and 14 runs batted in as the Wolfpack’s backup catcher.

Follow Inside Pack Sports for up-to-the-minute updates on all Wolfpack athletics news.

Drew Lanphere Reportedly Returning to NC State

1,868 Views | 16 Replies | Last: 8 hrs ago by Alex Gee
Glasswolf
How long do you want to ignore this user?
That's actually pretty huge. Always thought Lanphere was a better defensive catcher than Sosa
pack2010
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Love having him back, is he good enough to be our starter defensively? Or do we still think we are going to bring another in to compete?

I would ASSUME he is coming back thinking we aren't going to pursue anyone else.
FlockaWolf
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I liked his potential freshman year
wolfpackfan00
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Mandras
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Generally disagree with Ethan here. Lanphere will be a positive defensively playing every day (if that's what happens).

I'm more worried offensively, but comforted by the floor being established with his return.
JCooke93
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Same here
JCooke93
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Never know
JCooke93
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Louder
ChemE94
How long do you want to ignore this user?
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king....
Ripper
How long do you want to ignore this user?
He's been a decent reserve the past few years.
StateFan2001
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Probably needs to stay that way.
Ripper
How long do you want to ignore this user?
StateFan2001 said:

Probably needs to stay that way.
Yep.
wilmwolf
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Familiar with the pitching staff, solid defensively , some untapped pop in the bat. Glad to have him back. We've been really spoiled with catchers, but just having stability at that position will be helpful regardless of whomever else is added.
Just a guy on the sunshine squad.
pack2010
How long do you want to ignore this user?
wilmwolf said:

Familiar with the pitching staff, solid defensively , some untapped pop in the bat. Glad to have him back. We've been really spoiled with catchers, but just having stability at that position will be helpful regardless of whomever else is added.

agreed. could we improve the position? maybe, probably. but if he is our guy in 2025, we could do worse too. The staff clearly likes his bat, he was given every chance to win the DH role this past year, it just didn't really click on the stat sheet. If it clicks like it seems like it could (again, the staff clearly sees something in him) then he is a guy that can hit .270ish, walk a decent bit (more walks than Ks this year), and give you a handful of XBH while playing solid defense- that would be a win.
Ripper
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Try to find a top level catcher in the portal first. If it doesn't work out, platoon Lanphere, Bonn, and DiCarlo early on and settle on the starter by mid season.
Alex Gee
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
pack2010 said:

wilmwolf said:

Familiar with the pitching staff, solid defensively , some untapped pop in the bat. Glad to have him back. We've been really spoiled with catchers, but just having stability at that position will be helpful regardless of whomever else is added.

agreed. could we improve the position? maybe, probably. but if he is our guy in 2025, we could do worse too. The staff clearly likes his bat, he was given every chance to win the DH role this past year, it just didn't really click on the stat sheet. If it clicks like it seems like it could (again, the staff clearly sees something in him) then he is a guy that can hit .270ish, walk a decent bit (more walks than Ks this year), and give you a handful of XBH while playing solid defense- that would be a win.


Agree. Has one of the better arms I've seen a State catcher have including Cozart. If he's your 7,8, or 9th bat then that's something you live with.

ETA: Multiple guys have said he's the hardest worker on the team and was primed to break out last year. To your point, didn't quite work out offensively, but I thought the glove was there. Had to play Sosa because of the potential with the bat.
Refresh
Page 1 of 1
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.