NC State Baseball 2016

So it’s that time of year again. Yep, I know it’s probably snuck up on most of you seeing how it’s still all wintry and stuff, but in only a couple of days the Pack9 kicks off the 2016 season.

And 2016 has the potential to be a pretty darned good year for baseball in Raleigh.

A year ago the Pack struggled at times, but still managed to come on strong down the stretch and ended up coming up just one game short of an ACC title. And while we will NOT discuss what happened in Fort Worth the following week (up yours, TCU), I will say that I’m confident the players have not forgotten how that felt either.

Onward and upward to 2016.

High Hopes

The Pack9 enters 2016 with a top ten pre-season ranking (#10). But as always, the ACC is not without a bevy of teams with high expectations. By division, this is a reasonable projected preseason expectation of pecking order coming into the season, with ranked teams shown in parenthesis:

Atlantic

  1. (2)Louisville
  2. (10)NC State
  3. (20)Florida State
  4. *Notre Dame
  5. *Clemson
  6. *Wake Forest
  7. Boston College

Coastal

  1. (6)Miami
  2. (13)Virginia
  3. (16)North Carolina
  4. *Georgia Tech
  5. Duke
  6. Virginia Tech
  7. Pitt

*In addition to those with preseason rankings, ND and GT are likely strong enough in ’16 to dip in and out (at least) of the rankings as the season goes along, with Wake and Clemson likely in the hunt for NCAA Regional bids as well. In other words, as always, the Atlantic Division will be tough.  It will be interesting to see who sneaks up and who fails miserably.

The Schedule

State kicks things off on the road this Friday in the Baseball at the Beach event hosted by Coastal Carolina each year. The Pack opens up against Old Dominion on Friday, faces the host Chanticleers on Saturday, and wraps things up against Kent State on Sunday.

Next week, the Pack will stay busy, weather permitting, as they welcome Morehead State and St John’s to Raleigh for midweek single games on Tuesday and Wednesday, before welcoming Wright State to town for a weekend three gamer February 26-28.

Looking down the road to the ’16 conference season, the Pack will have their work cut out for them on the road this year as they will have to travel to face all of (2)Louisville, (13)UVa, (20)FSU, Clemson, and GT. On the other hand, the Pack’s home conference slate includes all of the fellow Big Four schools coming to Raleigh, along with ND and BC.

Full Schedule

The Team

Pitching

BrianBrown

Brian Brown

It’s no secret what the Pack needs from the pitching staff in ’16…better control. Throw strikes, limit the freebies. Often in ’15 they weren’t so good at doing that in crucial moments. But when they had command they were really good, and most of the pieces return for ’16. Joe O’Donnell(#42,JR,RHP) and Brian Brown(#38,SO,LHP) are expected to anchor the starting rotation.  Both had great years last year, with the frosh Brown garnering 1st team Freshman All-America honors.

The other regular spots are a little less clear. While big Johnny Piedmonte(#33,R-JR,RHP), whose fastball was up to the mid 90’s in fall ball, and Corey Wilder(#35,JR,RHP), whose control escaped him all too often last year (but he was nearly untouchable when he was on) will undoubtedly be in the mix, Evan Mendoza(#18,SO,RHP) or Austin Staley(#20,R-FR,RHP) might have something to say about it as well. Any of the four may also end up as important pieces in the bullpen.

In the bullpen, Tommy DeJuneas(#42,SO,RHP) will look to improve his command and build on his impressive frosh season. Always steady and reliable, Travis Orwig(#39,R-SR,LHP) and Will Gilbert(#51,SR,LHP) are both back as well. The Pack also welcomes lefty Sean Adler(#29,R-JR,LHP) to the pen this year, a USC transfer.

Infield

Logan Ratledge, who finally realized his potential and came on strong in ’16, is gone. And while just about everybody else of note is back, it will be no small feat to replace Ratledge, both offensively and defensively.

Knizner1

Andrew Knizner

Andrew Knizner(#11,JR,C), who not only made the move from 3B to Catcher in ’15, but absolutely killed it in the process, is probably the Pack’s biggest key in ’16. But it’s not as if the rest of the Pack’s infield can be overlooked.

Preston Palmeiro(#12,JR,1B), Joe Dunand(#3,SO,INF) and Ryne Willard(#8,SR,INF), who came on nicely last year, all look to build on strong seasons at the plate. The defacto replacement of Ratledge, on the other hand, appears likely to fall on true freshman Xavier LeGrant(#2,FR,INF), a speedy middle infielder from Charlotte. One of the top recruits in the country, LeGrant has the potential to step in and make an impact from day 1.

ACCTMiamiCelebration2

Palmero and Dunand celebrate ’15 ACCT win over Miami.

Aside from Palmeiro anchoring first base, exactly where and how the other three will piece together on defense will probably be somewhat fluid, at least initially. Dunand manned 3B well last year, but he is more the natural SS. LeGrant is a natural 2B, but his skills may slot him to 3B, with Willard, who spent most of ’15 at SS, falling into 2B by default.

Confused? Me too.

Like I said, it might be somewhat fluid for a while more than likely. LeGrant’s arm, and who is comfortable with whom in the middle infield DP combo will settle the issue eventually.


(hat tip to theCOWDOG for this suggestion)

Outfield

State returns an outfield full of speed, and hopefully a year better experienced. Brock Deatherage(#13,SO,OF), Josh McLain(#15,SO,OF) and Shane Shepard(#16,SO,OF), all sophomores, should hopefully be a year better defensively as a result. Where the outfield really needs to improve however, is at the plate.

While Deatherage was more than respectable in ’15, with a more favorable spot in the order he should be able to up his production considerably.

McLain and Shepard, on the other hand….well, if they can combine to approach the Mendoza line it will be a distinct improvement. Hoping for a happy surprise here because McLain especially, with his speed, could be a game changer much the same way Trea Turner was when he got on base.

But Josh…first you gotta get on base. If you don’t, Garrett Suggs(#10,R-SO,OF) is just waiting to take your job, son.

And lest I forget, Shane’s big brother Chance Shepard(#24,SR,C/DH). Toward the end of the year he settled in nicely in his DH role, and I know of no reason why that will change, while spelling Knizner behind the plate at times.

Hopefully he’s gotten used to the hero role as well.

So, it’s baseball.  Potentially some really good baseball.  It’s too early to talk Omaha of course, but the pieces are there.  In any case, you should get your butts out to the Doak and take in some games either way.  It’s always a good time.

Go Pack!!!!

About Wufpacker

A 2nd generation alumnus and raised since birth to be irrationally dedicated to all things NC State. Class of '88 and '92.

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Viewing 25 posts - 76 through 100 (of 154 total)
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  • #99967
    44rules
    Participant

    Also noticed that Saturday’s game was at Coastal. Probably lots of humidity off the Waccamaw Swamp and carried those balls a far piece.

    Communism is not love. Communism is a hammer which we use to crush the enemy. Mao Zedong

    #99968
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    High pressure and low humidity does the trick.

    Low pressure and high humidity turns that long fly, into a long out.

    “Dang! Just missed it.”

    Give me the March Jet Stream at Doak!

    #99976
    PackerInRussia
    Participant

    Chilling on the Mediterranean coast and decided to check in on how the baseball weekend turned out. Glad for a happy ending. So are they going to have to outhit everyone if they want to win? What is it about relying on offense around here anyway?

    #100024
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    Chilling on the Mediterranean coast and decided to check in on how the baseball weekend turned out. Glad for a happy ending. So are they going to have to outhit everyone if they want to win? What is it about relying on offense around here anyway?

    Mediterranean coast huh? #RichRusskieProblems
    But yeah, at this rate it appears scoring beaucoup runs is the path of least resistance.

    In spite of the opening day goose egg loss, Pack moved up two spots to #8 this week.

    D1Baseball Top 25 Rankings: Feb. 22

    #100048
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    Pack takes home opener today vs Morehead State by a 7-5 final.
    Supposed to face St. John’s tomorrow….prolly ain’t gonna happen.

    #100049
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    Wuf, I almost joined you today, but I got bit by a bed bug and it started drizzling. No way I could go.

    They won without me.

    #100050
    Gowolves
    Participant

    Pack takes home opener today vs Morehead State by a 7-5 final.
    Supposed to face St. John’s tomorrow….prolly ain’t gonna happen.

    Yeah I would guess you can’t win the home opener the second home game of the year. Just sayin.

    #100051
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    Oh. Tomorrow we can be found with Toto and flying monkeys. With luck, they can get the game in before the big wind comes.

    28-22 State, in a mild F1.

    #100052
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    Pack takes home opener today vs Morehead State by a 7-5 final.
    Supposed to face St. John’s tomorrow….prolly ain’t gonna happen.

    Yeah I would guess you can’t win the home opener the second home game of the year. Just sayin.

    #100053
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    Wuf, I almost joined you today, but I got bit by a bed bug and it started drizzling. No way I could go.

    They won without me.

    Oh. Tomorrow we can be found with Toto and flying monkeys. With luck, they can get the game in before the big wind comes.

    28-22 State, in a mild F1.

    You were better off at home in bed. ‘Twas cold, wet and woulda been miserable without the baseball.

    Hopefully if they do get it in tomorrow, the slight breeze that is forecast will be blowing out during the bottom halves. I’m pretty much planning on it not happening, but wondering if St. Johns is in town if they might try to get it on Thursday. Time will tell.

    EDIT – SJU ‘sposed to be in Bakersfield (yes, THAT Bakersfield) Friday. I suppose that lessens the chances.

    #100062
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    You know what? I’d keep playing. I don’t think the real heavy stuff is gonna come down for quite a while…
    RAT FARTS!!!!

    #100063
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    Today’s game start time has (so far) been pushed back to 5pm.

    #100071
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    Tornado warning pushes it back even further. 6:30pm seems the earliest possible first pitch as it now stands.

    #100076
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    Today/tonight’s game has been cancelled.
    Color me shocked.
    Wanna know how pissed I’d be right now if I had driven over, thru traffic, in the weather, only to get closed out at the last minute?????
    Wake up and smell the tornadoes, NCSU.

    #100077
    BJD95
    Keymaster

    Like They Might Be Giants sagely noted “WAKE UP and smell the cat food..in your bank account”

    #100356
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    Pack9 splits first two with Wright State. 10-8 loss Friday, 6-1 win Saturday…rubber match today at 1pm.

    #100358
    BJD95
    Keymaster

    Beautiful day for el beisbol. Lenin Cat should fly the Castro brothers in for this one.

    #100368
    Gowolves
    Participant

    7-2 Pack up going to the bottom of the sixth inning.

    #100369
    Pack78
    Participant

    Pack takes the rubber game 8-4.

    #100376
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    FWIW, the eye test says Wright St. is no slouch. Good series win.

    Some observations…

    Middle infield appears to be settling in as Dunand(SS) and LeGrant(2B) for the most part. They seem very comfortable with one another.

    3B is still mostly a platoon with Willard, Pitarra and Mendoza (who was recruited as a pitcher if you’ll recall) all getting meaningful time there so far. Mendoza has been hitting better than the rest up to this point, so time will tell.

    Tommy DeJuneas is better than last year, and he was pretty good last year. Better velocity, better control. He made the Wright St. hitters looks silly to close it out in the 9th today.

    If we can find another reliable starter (other than Brown and O’Donnell) this could be a really fun team to watch come June. Two more would be gravy.

    #100377
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    Ripple got the best of me. I only made it on the RR tracks as far as the old Wonder Bread outlet.

    Sorry. Pack.

    #100379
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    LOL. I hope you left a gift for the next express train thru.
    The splatter alone would be tremendous.

    #100395
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    Pack holds steady at #8 this week.
    FSU climbs to #15.
    Louisville falls to #5 from #2.
    UVa falls to #19 from #11.
    Miami falls to #10 from #6.
    Undefeated GT still on the outside looking in.

    And bless their cheatin’ hearts, Carolina leapfrogs us to #6, up from #10, by virtue of a weekend sweep of (then #12) Okie State. Can’t argue with that, but it still pisses me off.

    ACC with four teams in the top 10 (‘Ville, Carolina, NC State, Miami).

    D1Baseball Top 25 Rankings: Feb. 29

    #100416
    Pack78
    Participant

    Pack, down 4-2 in the 8th, hits UNCG with a 6-spot in the bottom of the frame to win 8-4.

    #100417
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    ^ What he said.
    What was mostly a boring, lackluster, and sometimes even annoying game, became rather exciting for the last 2 innings.
    Chance Shepard absolutely tattooed a ball over the left center wall during the 6 run 8th for a 3 run HR. Not sure it’s even landed yet.

    UNC-W tomorrow at 3pm.

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