Get to Know the NC State Baseball Roster
Contents
Meet the 2019 NC State baseball Roster. These are the student-athletes that will be representing the Wolfpack this season.
Meet the Catchers
The North Carolina State University baseball team has a long and storied history, dating back to its first season in 1892. The team has won four National Championships and sixteen conference championships The Wolfpack have also produced eighty-four Major League Baseball players, including two National League MVPs and four World Series champions.
The Wolfpack currently have three catchers on their roster: Drew Rom, Austin Warren, and Brad Debo.
Drew Rom is a junior from Cincinnati, Ohio. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the seventeenth round of the 2018 MLB Draft but opted to play for NC State instead. In his two years with the Wolfpack, Rom has appeared in ninety-six games and has a batting average of .276 with eleven home runs and sixty RBIs.
Austin Warren is a redshirt senior from Wilmington, North Carolina He transferred to NC State from Saint Louis University after his junior year. In his one season with the Wolfpack, Warren appeared in fifty-three games and had a batting average of .267 with two home runs and seventeen RBIs.
Brad Debo is a freshman from Cary, North Carolina He was ranked as the fourth-best High School catcher in the country by perfect game USA coming out of high school In his first season with the Wolfpack, Debo appeared in fifty-one games and had a batting average of .301 with eight home runs and forty RBIs.
Get to Know the Infielders
The infield is the area of the baseball diamond that includes the dirt portion of the field between home plate and first, second, and third base. The infielders are the players who play on or near this part of the field. Infielders need to have quick reflexes and be able to make quick decisions. They also need to be good at fielding balls hit in their direction.
The NC State Wolfpack Baseball Team has several talented infielders on its roster. Read on to learn more about them.
Ethan Joyner is a Junior from Apex, North Carolina He bats and throws right-handed. Joyner is a versatile player who can play multiple positions in the infield. He is listed as a utility player on the Wolfpack roster. Last season, he played in 33 games and had a batting average of .273.
Cody bottleneck is a senior from Kernersville, North Carolina Bottleneck is a first baseman who bats left-handed and throws right-handed. He is one of the team’s captains and was named Third Team All-ACC last season. In 2019, Bottleneck played in all 56 games for the Wolfpack and had a batting average of .305 with 10 Home Runs and 47 RBIs.
Andrew Smart is a junior from Raleigh, North Carolina Smart is a second baseman who bats left-handed and throws right-handed. He played in 29 games last season with a batting average of .239.
Brad Debo is a sophomore from Durham, North Carolina Debo is a third baseman who bats right-handed and throws right-handed. He was named Second Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball last season after hitting .351 with 15 home runs and 66 RBIs in 63 games played
Outfielders You Need to Know
This year’s baseball season is looking strong, and the Wolfpack roster is stacked with talent. Here are three talented outfielders you need to keep an eye on this season:
Junior Brad Debo is a power hitter with a .305 batting average nine home runs and 42 RBIs last season. Debo was named ACC tournament MVP in 2018 after leading the Wolfpack to the Championship Title
Freshman Jorge Mateo is a five-tool player who has already made an impact on the team. In just his first season, Mateo hit .316 with four home runs 27 RBIs, and 19 stolen bases He was also named ACC Freshman of the Year and was a First Team All-American by Perfect Game/Rawlings.
Redshirt sophomore Bret Robinette is another player to Watch This Season Robinette missed most of last season due to injury but is ready to make his mark on the team this year. In 2017, he hit .333 with one home run and 12 RBIs in just 23 games.
The Newcomers
The NC State baseball team is welcoming a number of new players to the roster this season. Here’s a look at the newcomers and what they bring to the team:
Infielders
Bradleygamez: A transfer from Central Florida, Bradleygamez is a versatile infielder who can play both second base and shortstop. He’s a strong hitter with good speed, and he’ll be a valuable asset to the team’s lineup.
Outfielders
Mills: A freshman from Raleigh, Mills is a highly-touted prospect who has been compared to former Wolfpack great Mike Cameron. He’s an outstanding defender with a good arm, and he has the potential to be a big power hitter in the middle of the lineup.
Pitchers
The Pitchers
The NC State Wolfpack baseball team is made up of 27 student-athletes, including 21 Position players and six pitchers. The team is young, with only six seniors and four juniors. Here is a brief rundown of the pitchers on this year’s roster.
RHP Alec Burleson (So., 3-2, 3.38 ERA) appeared in 13 games out of the bullpen as a freshman, posting three saves. He will likely be used in a similar role this season.
LHP Nate Cowan (Sr., 4-1, 5.09 ERA) was one of the team’s most consistent starters last season, making 14 starts and appearing in 15 games overall. He will anchor the rotation again this year.
RHP Devin Cuevas (R-Jr., 1-1, 6Save Roasts Explained: A Roast Guide34 ERA) redshirted last season after transferring from Tyler Junior College He will compete for a spot in the starting rotation this year.
RHP Andrew McDonald (Fr., NR) is a freshman who will look to make an impact out of the bullpen this season.
LHP Chris Williams (So., 0-0, 2 ERA) also redshirted last season after transferring from Southwestern Community College He will compete for a spot in the starting rotation this year.
RHP Marcus Johnson (Fr., NR) rounds out the pitching staff as a freshman who will look to make an impact out of the bullpen this season.
The Coaches
The North Carolina State University baseball team is coached by Elliott Avent. He is assisted by Robert Woodard and Bradley Bohlen.
The Schedule
The 2019 season will be the Wolfpack’s 122nd season of baseball, and their 3rd as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference The team will play its home games at Doak Field on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina
The Fans
The North Carolina State Wolfpack Baseball Team is beloved by many fans across the state. Some of the team’s most die-hard supporters can be found in the stands at Doak Field on game days. But who are these fans? Let’s take a closer look at some of the most dedicated members of the Wolfpack fan base.
Geary Paajanen is one of the team’s most vocal supporters. He can often be seen leading the cheers from his seat in the Front Row behind home plate Geary has been attending Wolfpack games for over 30 years and has never missed a Home game
Gerry DiFiore is another longtime fan of the team. Gerry can usually be found in his usual spot in right field, where he has had Season tickets for over 20 years. Gerry is known for his extensive knowledge of the game and his ability to keep track of every player on the field.
Jill Johnson is a relatively new fan, but she has quickly become one of the team’s most enthusiastic supporters. Jill can be seen waving her homemade sign that reads “Go Pack!” at every game. Jill is also a member of the Wolfpack Club, which is the official booster club for NC State athletics.
Whether they’ve been cheering for the Wolfpack for decades or are just getting started, these fans all share a common love for their team. Next time you’re at a Wolfpack game, be sure to look for them in the stands!
The Rivalries
As a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the NC State Baseball team has some intense rivalries. The most significant rivalry is with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The two teams have been playing each other since 1887 and have met over 260 times. The Tar Heels currently lead the series 134-124-2.
The other major rival for the Wolfpack is Duke University The two teams have been playing each other since 1896 and have met almost 200 times. NC State leads the series 103-95-1.
Other rivals include the University of Virginia Wake Forest University, and East Carolina University.
The History
The NC State baseball team has a long and storied history, dating back to the late 1800s. The team has won numerous conference and national championships, and its players have gone on to successful careers in the Major Leagues Today, the team continues to compete at the highest level with many of its players being drafted by professional teams each year.