The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543694
MARCH/APRIL 2026 ■ 45 BY DAVID DRIVER T he NC State baseball program has been sending players to the pro ranks for more than 100 years. Virginia native Dave Robertson was the first Wolfpack player to make the major leagues when he debuted with the New York Giants in 1912. Robert- son, who twice led the National League in homers, paved the way for dozens who followed, including current stars like Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner and New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon. But there are other ways to stay in- volved with the game that don't involve the majors. Two other Wolfpack base- ball alumni, Marek Chlup and Corey Lee, found different paths that include professional careers overseas, with the Czech Republic being a common de- nominator. A native of Raleigh, Lee was chosen by Texas in the first round of the 1996 MLB Draft and pitched in one game for the Rangers three years later. He went on to spend two seasons in Japan, wrap- ping up his career in 2006. After his playing days came to an end, Lee started working with the Pro5 Sports Academy in Raleigh as pitching coordinator. He also began traveling to Eastern Europe to coach, including a stint last June with the Lithuanian National Team at the 44th annual Prague Baseball Week in the Czech capital. Lee's European ties helped bring about Chlup's American baseball ca- reer. Chlup was born in the Czech Republic and began taking an interest in sports at an early age. His father had played base- ball, and when Major Leaguers Adam Jones, Prince Fielder and Giancarlo Stanton came to Prague to meet young players, the 11-year-old Chlup couldn't help but be impressed. "It really motivated me," he recalled. Chlup ended up coming to NC State in 2019, part of the of the Pro5 Acad- emy's European pipeline. A first baseman and outfielder, Chlup had only 31 at-bats during his two sea- sons with the Wolfpack, totaling a home run, 3 doubles and 6 RBI. He ended up finishing his college career at North Greenville University, a Division II school in Tigerville, S.C. In three seasons with the Trailblaz- ers, the 6-foot-4, 233-pound slugger batted .357 with 38 home runs and 174 RBI. After college, Chlup moved on to the Lake Country DockHounds, an inde- pendent American Association team located in Oconomowoc, Wis. He bat- ted .325 in 34 games for Lake Country in 2023, then returned the following sea- son and hit .252 in 80 games. Chlup, who never played affiliated ball in North America, spent last season with the Yomiuri Giants in the Japan Eastern League, hitting .265 in 66 games. He has also been a key performer for the Czech National Team, which at- tracted global attention with its show- ing at the World Baseball Classic in 2023 when it won its first-ever WBC game, topping China, 8-5. Looking back, Chlup considers his un- eventful tenure with the Wolfpack to be a blessing in disguise. "One of the best things that happened to me at NC State and a big school was that I wasn't good enough," he said. "I didn't play much, but it taught me how to accept it and just work hard. "The first school was a learning experi- ence. There was really good competition there. At the second school, I got reps, and that's where I got better." Meanwhile, in addition to his work with the Lithuanians, Lee has helped the Czech Republic develop one of the best baseball cultures in Europe. The Eagles' Nest facility in Prague, which hosted Prague Baseball Week, is the envy of many club coaches from Germany to Hungary to Poland. There are several fields for baseball and softball, and young players can practice by hitting off tees and doing other drills that are common in the United States. "We had an incredible young group of players," Lee said of the Czech youth teams. People have made sacrifices to grow the game in the Czech Republic. The whole goal for us was to have a strong national team." ■ Pack Baseball Alumni Have Competed Around The World Corey Lee was a star pitcher for the Wolfpack who went on to become a first-round MLB Draft pick of the Texas Rangers in 1996. In recent years, he's been working to help grow the game in Europe. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE BASEBALL