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Two former Wolfpackers named in ‘5 to Watch’ for St. Louis Cardinals

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6 years ago

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As we start to cover NC State baseball this season, we are also going to put a little more time into covering Pack players in the majors.

Sure, you have Trea Turner of the Nationals who could compete for the MVP at some point in his career, and Carlos Rodon who had ace written all over him until his recent shoulder struggles. But after that, who is next?  Over the next few weeks, we’re going to look at some former Wolfpack players who are making a name for themselves in the minor leagues and may soon be getting their call to the big show.

The first couple guys we are going to focus on are a duo drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, catcher Andrew Knizer and third third baseman, Evan Mendoza. Both of whom are budding starts in their farm system.

 

Andrew Knizner (C)
Knizner is a kid who played all over the diamond in his career at NC State, but no matter where you put him, he hit. Over his career at NC State he hit .312 and hit 15 HRs, but the real reason everyone loves his bat so much is because he’s an elite contact guy who will take a walk and rarely strikes out.

Since being drafted he batted .308 and hit 18 HRs in his three stops in the minors. The Cardinals have converted him to a full-time catcher, creating a debate over whether he or Carson Kelly (#1 rated catcher in their system) is the backstop of the future for the Cardinals.

Knizner was listed as one of ‘5 to watch’ in the Cardinals system by the St. Louis Dispatch. Here is what they had to say:

Catcher Andrew Knizner had a strong turn in the Arizona Fall League and positioned himself as the Cardinals’ top prospect at his position not named Carson Kelly. He’s Carson Kelly 2.0. Like Kelly, he moved from infield to catcher and has gone from learning the position to shining in it. His bat, also like Kelly, is catching up, and that gives the Cardinals some depth down the road.

The current catcher for the Cardinals is Yadi Molina. He is a future Hall of Famer and just signed a 3-year deal this past April, so he isn’t going anywhere.

So where does that leave the Kelly/Knizner situation? That is a good question. I think a lot depends on how Knizner performs this season. If he continues to progress, then the Cards could see Kelly as a major trade chip that they could use to acquire talent somewhere else. This would mean St. Louis was betting all their chips on Knizner as their future catcher. This is certainly a situation to watch.

Here is Knizner flashing some opposite field power with a game winning walk-off homer.

 

Evan Mendoza (3B)
We recently told you that many around the Cardinals organization already think highly of Mendoza, some even seeing him as the best 3B in their system.

His sophomore season was when he really shined, hitting a solid .362 with 4 HRs and 20 walks. He also finished up with a really nice.866 OPS

Since joining the Cards’ Low-A affiliate (The State College Spikes) he’s done nothing but impress. His .370 average over 41 games earned him the league’s batting title and a promotion to high-A ball.

Since he’s only been a pro for less than a year, the jury is still out on him, but the St. Louis Dispatch also ranked him as one of the ‘5 to watch’ in the Cardinals farm system, saying this:

Infielder Evan Mendoza had one of the best season for a 2017 draft pick, and is going to get some looks as a sleeper top prospect. Mendoza, 21, was the Cardinals’ 11th-round pick (so he could get the higher bonus) out of NC State. He hit .339/.388/.508 at two Class A levels this past season, and he finished the year with a .896 OPS. Also, solid at third.

Unlike Knizner, Mendoza’s path the pros is a little more clear. The Cards really aren’t really enamored with any of their 3B prospects and their current 3B Jedd Gyorko is signed through 2021, which should be a year after Mendoza is ready for a jump to the bigs. If Mendoza can push his way up, Gyorko would likely be swung in a deadline deal in 2020.

Here is Mendoza going yard for the Pack against UNC during his Junior year.

We’ll keep you updated on these guys journey through the minor leagues as the season gets going.

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NC State Baseball

#20 NC State Loses 4-5 to UNCW, Losing 5th Straight Midweek Game

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1 day ago

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April 30, 2024

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#20 NC State lost to UNC-Wilmington 4-5 this evening at home, losing their 5th straight midweek game. The Wolfpack were swept by the Seahawks this year, ironically losing 4-5 down in Wilmington on April 9th.

Freshman Ryan Marohn got the starting nod, and he was excellent, giving up 1 earned run in 5 innings pitched, striking out 7. It was arguably his best start since his collegiate debut against VCU in the opening series.

Sophomore Shane Van Dam was Mr. Reliable through much of the season, but he hasn’t had his best stuff as of late. This evening, he faced four batters, hitting 2, walking another, and surrendering a hit to the other. Van Dam failed to record an out, and gave up 3 earned runs. Heading into the UNC game back on April 18th, Van Dam had a 2.63 ERA. After the past 4 appearances, his ERA has shot up to 3.96.

Freshman Jacob Dudan settled things down, pitching 4 scoreless innings, giving up only 1 hit, while striking out 5.

Unfortunately, Sophomore Derrick Smith allowed the Seahawks to score a run in the Top of the 10th, which was enough for the opposing team to leave Raleigh with a win, with NC State failing to score a run in the final 5 frames.

Junior Jacob Cozart continues an insane power surge, hitting two more Home Runs tonight. Cozart has hit 7 Home Runs in the past 6 games.

Cozart now has 14 Home Runs on the year. His previous career high was 11.

Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington also hit a Solo Home Run, his 11th bomb of the year.

On Friday, the Wolfpack will head down to Tallahassee for a 3-game series against #7 Florida State.

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NC State Outfielder Josh Hogue Out for Remainder of the Season

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2 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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NC State will be without Sophomore Right Fielder Josh Hogue for the remainder of the season. Hogue unfortunately suffered a fractured leg due to a collision with Center Fielder Eli Serrano III on Saturday, with both players diving for a ball in the outfield.

Hogue will have to undergo surgery, and he is expected to be out 4 months.

This is a huge loss for the Wolfpack. Hogue has been batting 3rd in NC State’s lineup, with the 3rd best batting average on the squad (.314) and 4th best OPS (.848).

On Sunday, Freshman 2nd Baseman Luke Nixon moved out to Right Field to fill the void, and his brother Chase Nixon was in Right. Starter Senior Noah Soles has been out since the Notre Dame Series at the end of March, but he has been taking batting practice and should be returning soon.

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NC State Baseball Jumps Up in Top-25 Rankings After Ball St. Sweep

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2 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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After sweeping Ball State this past weekend, NC State jumped up in almost all of the Top-25 polls.

Baseball America – 13th (+4)

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RPI – 20th (+9)

D1Baseball – 20th (+1)

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USAToday Coaches Poll – 20th (+3)

Perfect Game – 25th (-)

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#21 NC State Defeats Ball St. 11-3 in Finale, Completing Sweep of Cardinals

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3 days ago

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April 28, 2024

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#21 NC State defeated Ball St. 11-3 this afternoon, completing the sweep of the Cardinals.

Freshman Cooper Consiglio got the start, and pitched a career high 85 pitches, giving up 2 earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched. He struck out 3, and walked 3.

Junior Carson Kelly came in for an inning of relief after Consiglio’s exodus, and even though he gave up a run, he was credited with the win.

Junior’s Jacob Cozart (C) and Brandon Butterworth (SS) each hit Home Runs, and each had 3 RBI’s. Cozart was a double shy of hitting for the Cycle. He is on a torrid streak, hitting Home Runs in 6 of the last 7 games.

Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III had a multi-hit game, going 2 for 5 with 2 Runs, and Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makerewicz had a 2 RBI Double.

The Wolfpack will host UNCW this Tuesday at 5pm.

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