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Former NC State Standouts Rodon and Turner Make First MLB All-Star Game

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3 years ago

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It’s been quite a year for State baseball. Not only did this current State team make a run at a national championship, but so many former players are putting in work from MiLB through MLB. The newest big news, is that both Carlos Rodon and Trea Turner will make their debut in a MLB All-Star Game.

How is this Turner’s First ASG?

It would seem like even the most casual observer of baseball would have assumed Turner has been there before. Turner finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, then just last year, was mentioned in MVP discussions. He consistently leads Shortstops in just about every metric known to man. All of this to say, this shouldn’t be his first ASG.

This year, he’s been on an absolute tear. At the halfway point, assuming second half is equal, he’ll have a career year in Home Runs (on pace for 30), RBIs (78) and Hits (204). Currently hitting .321 with a 86% steal percentage (18 for 21), he’s doing everything for the Nationals. By hitting his third career cycle this year, Turner moved into baseball lore becoming only the fourth player to have three career cycles since 1900.

Unfortunately for Turner, a guy by the name of Fernando Tatis, Jr also happens to be in the National League and will get the start. No doubt this won’t be Turner’s last ASG, just hope this becomes more routine than it’s been thus far.

Resurgence of Rodon

There were times not too long ago, that Rodon was done for.

In just the last couple of years, he’s pitched less than 50 innings with two arm surgeries. There were worries about his future in Chicago. With a losing record, although when he’s on he’s on as we can see, White Sox were only able to give him a one-year deal this offseason. Then he made history with a no-hitter against Cleveland and hasn’t stopped since.

With an ERA of 2.37 and 122 strikeouts (good for 13th in baseball), he’s been as consistent as ever during his career. A 6-3 record has helped the White Sox to a first place standing in the AL Central heading into the ASG break. Without a doubt, well deserved string of success for the big lefty. Hope that this leads plenty of suitors this offseason for a contract.

 

This year’s festivities moved from Atlanta to Denver. Future’s game starts on Sunday (July 11th), Home Run Derby Monday (12th) and All-Star Game on Tuesday (13th).

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NC State Baseball

JUCO Outfielder Jet Gilliam Commits to NC State!

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2 months ago

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August 10, 2024

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On Thursday, Junior College Outfielder Jet Gilliam committed to play baseball at NC State.

 

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Gilliam played his Freshman season this past year at the College of Southern Nevada (JUCO), hitting .348, with an OBP of .429 and a Slugging Percentage of .540. That adds up to an OPS of .969. He was perfect on the bases, going 14-14 on stolen base attempts. Gilliam hit 6 home runs, 6 triples and 6 doubles.

Coming out of High School in the 2023 recruiting class, Gilliam ranked #383 nationally overall, and the #64 Outfielder by Perfect Game. They also ranked him as the #3 player in the state of Nevada, and the #1 Outfielder.

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NC State Baseball

Outfielder Dalen Thompson Decommits from NC State to Play Final Season at Campbell

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2 months ago

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August 10, 2024

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Back on June 5th, Outfielder Dalen Thompson transferred from NC State to Campbell for his final year of college eligibility. Apparently he has had a change of mind, and will in fact play his final season with the Camels.

Thompson started 46 of 50 games this season, hitting 313/.396/.554 with 10 Home Runs, 47 RBI’s and 20 Stolen Bases. This was his first season as an everyday starter. Prior to his Junior season, Thompson had never hit a single Home Run in 110 at-bats in 61 career games, but he hit 10 over the fence this season in 195 at-bats.

Over three seasons at Campbell, Thompson’s career batting average is .302.

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NC State Baseball

Former NC State Outfielder Chase Nixon Transfers to Memphis

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2 months ago

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August 1, 2024

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On June 21st, NC State Outfielder Chase Nixon entered the Transfer Portal. Yesterday, Nixon found his new home, committing to Memphis.

 

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Heading into the 2024 season, Nixon had a chance to battle for a starting spot, after starting in 18 of the 32 games he played in as a Sophomore. In 2023, Nixon hit .319, with an OBP of .402, and an OPS of .916. The way things panned out, Josh Hogue, Eli Serrano III & Noah Soles nabbed the starting jobs. Even when Hogue went down, Chase’s younger brother Luke was moved from the infield to the outfield.

Unfortunately, the Nixon boys won’t be on the same team for a second year.

Nixon has 1 year of eligibility remaining.

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NC State’s Jacob Cozart Signs with the Cleveland Guardians

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3 months ago

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July 29, 2024

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Catcher Jacob Cozart officially signed his professional contract with the Cleveland Guardians yesterday.

Cleveland drafted Cozart in the 2nd Round, with the 48th overall pick. The slot value for the 48th pick was $1.94 million. Cozart signed a player friendly deal, worth $2.05 million.

Cozart earned All-American honors from D1Baseball, Baseball America and Perfect Game this year, as well as 1st Team All-ACC honors. He was 1 of 3 Finalists for the Buster Posey Award.

This season, Cozart hit .305 with 19 Home Runs. His OBP was .437, and his OPS was 1.038.

The last Wolfpack Catcher to be drafted this high was Patrick Bailey, who was taken in the 1st Round by the San Francisco Giants in the 2020 Draft, with the 13th overall pick.

Only 22 NC State players have been drafted in the 1st two rounds. Cozart is tied for the 17th highest drafted player in Wolfpack history.

All of the other former (and incoming) players have already signed their contracts.

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