The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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pack's Friday night starter this spring after serving as the Saturday starter last year. It's a competition, but Chrysler said he's excited by the progress Fritton has made. "I expect him to be back to his fresh- man-year [form], but better," Chrysler said. "I think he's bigger and stronger. I think his breaking ball is better. His changeup is better. I expect Dom to have a very, very good year for us." While Fritton is a known commodity, several others have a chance to break through this season. Sophomore right- handers Heath Andrews and Camden Wimbish have also emerged as key pitchers this spring. Andrews was rarely used in his de- but season with only 9.1 total innings pitched, but he flashed his potential out of the bullpen, including a career-high 2.1 innings in the Wolfpack's 9-8 come- back win over Duke on March 23. The Fincastle, Va., native showed signs of growth last summer with a 4.08 ERA, 16 strikeouts and just 5 walks as a starter for the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod League. Now, he's competing for a starting spot in the Pack's rotation. "That guy just goes about his busi- ness the same way every day," Avent NC State will begin its 2025 campaign on Feb. 14 when Fordham visits Doak Field for the start of a three-game nonconference series. With the Wolfpack looking to build on last year's trip to the Men's College World Series, the season-opening homestand will provide a glimpse of the team's revamped roster. NC State has 20 newcomers this year, and those play- ers will be looking to make an early impact. Here's a look at four position play- ers who could be immediate contributors: Freshman OF Ty Head Head, who was the No. 151 draft prospect this past summer, elected to pursue college baseball instead of turning professional out of high school. He brings a skill set that the Wolfpack was eager to see arrive on campus and has the makings of a star in Raleigh. "Ty Head has shown he's going to be a tremendous baseball player here at NC State," coach Elliott Avent said last fall. "I'm so glad that he turned down the draft." Head batted .408 with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 19 RBI and 28 walks in 32 games at Windermere (Fla.) High as a senior. Standing 6-foot-3, he has the frame to grow into a power hitter as he gets older. Head projects to play in center field for a majority of his time with the Wolf- pack but could also see time in the corners to keep him on the field. Sophomore INF Chris McHugh A transfer from Virginia Commonwealth, McHugh has three years of eligibil- ity remaining after a standout freshman campaign with the Rams in 2024. He appeared in 55 games at first base with the Atlantic 10 champions and batted .273 with 5 doubles, 6 home runs and 33 RBI in his first collegiate season. McHugh impressed when the Rams visited NC State for a season-opening se- ries, going 2-for-4 with 3 RBI in only the second game of his college career. With Garrett Pennington having exhausted his eligibility, McHugh projects to compete for the starting spot at first base. He's also versatile enough to play third base if needed. Sophomore INF Matt Ossenfort Ossenfort, a Vanderbilt transfer, is expected to compete with McHugh at first base. He hit .182 with a double and a home run in six appearances with the Com- modores as a freshman, posting a .545 slugging percentage in his 11 at-bats. While the sample size isn't big, Ossenfort is a prospect with immense potential as a hitter. He was the No. 10 first base recruit in the 2023 class after batting .392 with 10 home runs and 35 RBI as a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Fla. He helped his high school squad win the national championship with an undefeated record in his final season. Junior OF Brayden Fraasman NC State has found success recruiting the junior college ranks, and Fraasman could be the next in line. He hit .348 with 30 doubles, 4 triples and 20 home runs in two seasons at Lincoln Trail Community College in Robinson, Ill. Fraasman had an on-base percentage of .414 with a slugging mark of .598 dur- ing his junior college tenure, while also stealing 23 bases. The Okeana, Ohio, native projects as a corner outfielder with the Wolfpack in 2025. — Noah Fleischman These Four Newcomers Will Bear Watching 44 ■ THE WOLFPACKER After backing up Jacob Cozart in 2024, sophomore Alex Sosa will be NC State's starting catcher this year. He batted .273 with 3 RBI during the Pack's eight NCAA Tournament games last season. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS