The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1153250
100 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ■ PACK PROS Only three players have ever hit for the cycle three times: Adrian Beltre, Baby Her- man and Bob Meusel; the latter two played in the 1920s and 1930s. The rare feat ideally showcases Turner's "speed and power, quick hands, his ability to spray the ball over the field and rev the offense in all kinds of ways," according to Dougherty. "Need a broader illustration of his value?" the scribe continued. "Turner missed 39 contests with a broken right in- dex finger, from April 3-May 16, and the Nationals went 17-22. He has played in every game since returning, 56 straight [at the time], and Washington is 35-21 in that stretch." If Turner averaged 3.1 plate appearances per team game played to qualify for the major league leaders, his .285 batting aver- age as of Aug. 6 would be tied for 38th in the bigs. Although he has just 74 games played and 312 at-bats — some have more than 110 appearances and 450 at-bats — the former Wolfpacker is also tied for sixth in stolen bases (23) and 52nd in doubles (23). He is just four doubles and four triples shy of tying his current single-season bests. The Nationals, thanks in large part to Turner's standout play, posted the best re- cord in the majors from May 24-July 24, and as of Aug. 6 they would clinch the top wild card in the National League. MLB Player Updates Through Aug. 6 • Nate Karns (Played at NC State in 2007), RHP, Balti- more Orioles: Appeared in four games in late March and early April, and went 0-1 but did not allow an earned run in 5⅓ innings pitched … Has since spent time on the injured list and was eventually sent outright to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides Aug. 2 … Has not pitched in the minors since July 23. • Carlos Rodon (2012-14), LHP, Chicago White Sox: Was shut down in mid-May after making seven starts and underwent successful Tommy John surgery … Finished the season with a 3-2 mark, 5.19 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 34⅔ innings pitched. • Trea Turner (2012-14), SS, Washington Nationals: Has seen action in 74 games on the year, totaling 52 runs scored, 89 hits, 150 total bases, 23 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs, 29 RBI, 23 steals in 27 tries and a .285 batting average with a .347 on-base percentage. ■ A quick look at where the former NC State players on NFL rosters stand as of early August, before the first full week of preseason games get underway: Fighting For Roster Spots CB Juston Burris, Cleveland Browns P A.J. Cole, Oakland Raiders^ RB Matt Dayes, New Orleans Saints CB Dontae Johnson, San Francisco 49ers WR Stephen Louis, Houston Texans^ DT T.Y. McGill, Los Angeles Chargers TE Pharoah McKever, Green Bay Packers# WR Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots^ Burris played in eight games for the Jets and Browns combined last year … Dayes appeared in seven contests for the 49ers … Johnson saw action in one game for the Bills … McGill logged time with the Chargers and Eagles in six outings … Meyers has impressed in camp and could be the best bet from this group to make a team. Competing For Playing Time QB Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts QB Ryan Finley, Cincinnati Bengals* QB Mike Glennon, Oakland Raiders WR Kelvin Harmon, Washington Redskins* OG Ted Larsen, Chicago Bears S Josh Jones, Green Bay Packers DT Justin Jones, Los Angeles Chargers OT Will Richardson, Jacksonville Jaguars DL Kentavius Street, San Francisco 49ers Brissett, Finley and Glennon all look to be their team's No. 2 quarterbacks … Harmon fell in the draft, but should get a chance to work into Washington's rotation … Larsen is likely the Bears' swing guard … Josh Jones has started 12 games in two years, but ESPN reported this offseason that he wanted the Packers to trade him or let him go; however, he did report to camp with Green Bay … Justin Jones played in 15 games off the bench in 2018, then started both playoff tilts … Richardson and Street are both looking to make an impact after missing their rookie seasons with injury. Good Bets To Start Or See Significant Action RB Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts LB Germaine Pratt, Cincinnati Bengals* RB Jaylen Samuels, Pittsburgh Steelers OG J.R. Sweezy, Arizona Cardinals WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers# Hines gained 739 yards from scrimmage as a rookie … Pratt has reportedly been calling plays for the second- team defense … Samuels is expected to back up Pro Bowler James Conner, but could still play a big role and even work as a receiver while Pittsburgh looks to move on from star running back Le'Veon Bell (406 touches from scrimmage in 2017) and standout wideout Antonio Brown (100-plus catches each of the last six years); the Steelers also hired former NCSU assistant Eddie Faulkner as running backs coach … Sweezy went into camp as Arizona's starting right guard … Valdez-Scantling was pressed into action as a rookie and hauled in 581 receiving yards. Locks For The Lineup C Garrett Bradbury, Minnesota Vikings* LB Bradley Chubb, Denver Broncos K Stephen Hauschka, Buffalo Bills DE B.J. Hill, New York Giants QB Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers OG Joe Thuney, New England Patriots QB Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks# The Vikings didn't make Bradbury the highest-drafted center since 2011 to sit on the bench … Hill, who started 12 outings — including the last 10 — a year ago is the only other one among this group who didn't open all 16 games in 2018. * Rookie draft pick; ^ undrafted rookie; # finished career at school other than NC State Where Pack Pros Stand Going Into The NFL Preseason During his first year with the Broncos, Bradley Chubb led all NFL rookies with 12 sacks and first-year edge defend- ers with 58 total pressures (QB sacks, hits and hurries). PHOTO COURTESY DENVER BRONCOS/GABRIEL CHRISTUS