The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1190316
JANUARY 2020 ■ 67 Freshmen like right-handers Matt Wil- ladsen and Austin Pace and lefty Chris Villaman also impressed in the fall. Avent thinks they will be able to add to the depth on the staff. "We have a chance to be pretty good [at pitching]," Avent said. "It's interesting, but the league is so tough. This league has such a small margin for error that you have to be really good." ■ Junior right-hander Reid Johnston owns a 13-3 record with a 3.41 ERA in 38 career appearances. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS ■ By The Numbers 7 ACC teams ranked in NCAA.com's "Way Too Early Top 25" for 2020 last summer, a list that did not include NC State who was included in the "just missed" group. 13 NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 15 seasons for NC State. 30 Home runs lost between the duo of Will Wilson (16) and Evan Edwards (14) off last year's squad that hit 68 homers as a team. Three Players To Watch Junior catcher Patrick Bailey The switch-hitter followed up a stellar rookie cam- paign by hitting .288 while starting all but one game last season. He hit 10 homers and drove in 46 runs. He leads all returning players in home runs and doubles (17) hit last season. With another good sea- son at and behind the plate for the Wolfpack, Bailey is a good bet to be NC State's next high draft pick. Junior pitcher Reid Johnston As a freshman, Johnston starred as both a closer and starter for NC State. Then as a sophomore, Johnston went 6-2 in 17 games, including 14 starts, with a 3.71 ERA in 77 2 ⁄3 innings pitched. Johnston's reliability over the past two seasons has made him a stalwart on the mound for NCSU, and he is a good bet to be back in his weekend rotation spot this spring. Junior pitcher Nick Swiney At first glance, Swiney's 4.61 ERA last year is not impressive, but that was largely due to a tough start to the year. At one point in early April, Swiney had a 9.74 ERA, but a string of dominating performances down the stretch showcased Swiney's considerable upside. His 95 strikeouts in 56 2 ⁄3 innings pitched is an indicator of his potential dominance. Swiney's three postseason appearances showed if he can improve his control he has the potential to be an ace. Swiney threw 10 innings in those contests and gave up just one hit and nine walks while striking out 20 batters. Newcomer To Watch Freshman Jose Torres It was questionable that Torres would make it to NC State. As a senior at Calvert Hall in Baltimore, he hit .402 with seven homers, eight doubles and three triples, and posted a .729 slugging percentage and .467 on-base percentage. The Baltimore Sun named Torres its area Player of the Year. "He is a four-year starter at Calvert Hall, which is very rare," his high school coach Lou Eckerl told The Sun. "He is a complete player who was always steady player for us. He had premium range to make plays and possessed an extremely strong arm." Torres was picked in the 24th round by the Mil - waukee Brewers, but he ultimately chose to enroll at NC State instead. With last year's All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year Will Wilson now in the Los Angeles Angels organization, Torres has a chance for an immediate role with the Pack.