The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/223560
Senior right-hander Andrew Woeck is expected to play a prominent role in NC State's bullpen this season, after compiling a 6-1 record and 3.09 ERA, finishing second on the team in appearances (26) and leading all relievers in innings pitched (462⁄3) in 2013. photo by Ken Martin team in more than 30 years. This year's team doesn't figure to be power-laden, but should have no trouble putting more runs on the board. "We had trouble scoring runs at times last year with a pretty capable offensive team," Avent said. "I don't think we'll be a great offensive team this year, but I'll be surprised if we don't score more runs." At the top of the lineup, Turner appears fully recovered from the broken ankle that bothered him all spring and summer, and 2 ■ By The Numbers times both Carlos Rodon and Trea Turner have been All-Americans in their two seasons at NC State.They are the seventh and eighth two-time AllAmericans in program history. The Wolfpack has never had a three-time All-American. Rodon and Turner are good bets to be the first two. years for NC State between College World Series appearances. Given the talent returning from last year's CWS team, the gap between the Pack's second and third Omaha trips could be one year. is scout talk for the first pick of the first round of the MLB Draft, and Rodon is the early favorite to be the first player taken in the 2014 draft. That would make NC State one of just three schools to have at least one top overall pick in the MLB, NFL and NBA drafts. Mario Williams (2006, NFL) and David Thompson (1975, NBA) were the first overall picks in their respective professional drafts. 45 1-1 into the fall. Prior to the injury, suffered March 8 versus Clemson, Turner was playing at a level that would have had him in the running for the Golden Spikes Award. The injury robbed him of much of his elite speed and his defensive mobility. He looked fully recovered in the fall, and that's extremely bad news for the rest of the ACC. The nucleus of Turner, Fincher, Austin and Ratledge will form the backbone Key Players To Watch Junior Trea Turner, SS Before breaking a bone in his left ankle March 8 versus Clemson, Turner may have been the best player in the country. In 13 games prior to that encounter with the Tigers, Turner batted .490 with five doubles, two triples, four home runs, 25 runs scored, 17 RBI and eight steals in as many attempts. He still finished the season with AllAmerica numbers — .368, 13 doubles, four triples, seven homers, 66 runs, 42 RBI and 30 steals — but he was not the same player after the injury, which bothered him well into the summer season with USA Baseball. In particular, the injury robbed him of speed and defensive range to his right, but also bothered him at the plate. By the end of the fall, he looked to be 100 percent, and ran a 6.32 in the 60-yard dash on scout night. Junior Logan Jernigan, RHP Jernigan's 2013 season got off to a rocky start, and after he lost a fistfight with a cement wall in the locker room the night of March 19, he missed six weeks with a broken hand. Jernigan returned a changed pitcher. Instead of trying to throw the ball through the catcher, he concentrated on making pitches. When he got in trouble, he threw softer instead of harder. In seven appearances after his return, he allowed five earned runs in 242⁄3 innings for a 1.82 ERA. He continued to pitch well over the summer with Harwich in the Cape Cod League, and then had a terrific fall.With most of the Wolfpack's airtight bullpen from a year ago graduated, head coach Elliott Avent will need quality innings from his starters, and Jernigan's fall campaign was an encouraging sign. (tie) Senior Andrew Woeck, RHP and senior D.J. Thomas, LHP A year ago, NC State may have had the best bullpen in the nation. With five seniors graduated from that relief corps, Woeck and Thomas are the only experienced relievers of note on this year's roster, and the only seniors. Woeck finished second on the team with 26 appearances a year ago and led the bullpen with 462⁄3 innings. He fashioned a sterling 6-1 record with a 3.09 ERA and 45 strikeouts. Woeck limited opponents to a .225 average. Thomas made 14 appearances and was 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA in 28 innings of work. Bullpen roles were still in a state of flux following fall practice, but Woeck will have a prominent role on this pitching staff. January 2014 ■ 57 54-55,57-58.Baseball Preview.indd 57 12/5/13 3:29 PM