Not surprising or unexpected, but now made official.
NC State sophomores Carlos Rodon and Trea Turner will again suit up for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team this summer, the second consecutive year for each.
Rodon, Turner Return to Team USA (GoPack.com)
Turner returns to Team USA after leading the squad in hits, runs, walks, and on-base percentage a year ago. Turner drew 16 walks in 18 games, twice as many as his nearest teammate, while hitting .315 for a team-leading .479 OBP. The Lake Worth, Fla. native led Team USA with 18 runs.
“It’s an honor to be asked back for another year with Team USA,” said Turner. “The experiences I had last year were valuable, and helped me prepare for my sophomore year. I’m excited to rejoin the team for another season.”
Rodon made five appearances for Team USA in 2012, going 2-0 over 19.0 IP. He allowed three earned for a 1.42 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP, with 21 strikeouts and seven walks. His earned run average with the team trailed only Bobby Wahl’s 1.17 mark as the closer. Both Baseball America and Perfect Game named Rodon as the top prospect on the 2012 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
“It’s great to have another chance to represent Team USA,” said Rodon. “The experience meant a lot to me last year. This opportunity gives us a chance to prove ourselves against the best players in the country, then the best players in the world. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
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Rodon and Turner are the first Wolfpackers to play for back-to-back collegiate national teams. Last year, the pair marked the first players from NC State to earn a roster spot since Eric Surkamp in 2007.
Andy Barkett, Pat Clougherty, and Terry Harvey made the 1993 squad, the only time the Pack has had more players on a single collegiate national team. Below is the full list of NC State players to make Team USA since 1984:
2013: Trea Turner, Carlos Rodon
2012: Trea Turner, Carlos Rodon
2007: Eric Surkamp
2006: Andrew Brackman
2004: Joey Devine
1995: Tom Sergio
1993: Andy Barkett, Pat Clougherty, Terry Harvey
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