The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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90 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ■ PACK PROS Rodon finished his NC State career with a school-record 436 strikeouts, while his 25 wins and eight complete games rank sixth on the school's all-time list. He was the highest drafted player in program annals after his junior campaign. Fellow 2014 first-round draftee Trea Turner, a shortstop who was tabbed 13th by the San Diego Padres, has also been moving up the minor league ladder thanks to some stellar performances. The school record holder for stolen bases debuted for the short-season Class A Eugene Emeralds. After playing in 23 games, he earned a promotion to the Class A Fort Wayne Tin- Caps and has put up eye-popping numbers. Turner hit .392 with an on-base percentage of .460, three home runs, 17 RBI and 10 stolen bases through his first 34 games with the club. The first 57 games of his professional career have yielded a batting average of .328, 39 runs scored, 19 stolen bases, 19 extra base hits and 19 RBI. Baseball America listed him on their All- Prospect Team for July, which includes just one minor leaguer from the entire country at each position. "Turner's speed, defense and feel to hit have served him well in a smooth transition to pro ball," the website noted. "He could jump on the fast track next season, a la Padres 2013 first-rounder Hunter Renfroe." Only The Scenery Changes For Ted Larsen Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Ted Larsen might not be listed atop his team's depth chart right now, but he has received plenty of chances to impress his coaches and has not wasted a single one of them. The former sixth-round pick moved west after he became a free agent following four years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played in 60 games with 31 starts. Larsen has actually started the first two preseason games with his new squad due to an injury to starting center Lyle Send- lein. When the regular pivot returned to the field in mid-August, Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians noted there was "a really good chance" Larsen would be the team's starting left guard over 2013 first- round pick Jonathan Cooper, a former UNC player who currently tops the depth chart. Cooper has struggled on the field and is also battling a turf toe injury. Arizona general manager Steve Keim, a two-time All-ACC lineman for the Wolf- pack, called Larsen one of his squad's five best linemen in camp so far and had no qualms about playing the fifth-year professional. "We'll put the best five out there," he told AZCardinals.com. "There is no doubt about that." Stepping in as a spot starter and providing versatility up front is nothing new to Larsen, who has done that all of his career. He even started his college career as a defensive line- man before making the change to offense for his final two seasons in Raleigh. "If you are going to be that sixth guy, you have to be ready," he said. "That's some- thing I've been forced to do in my time in the NFL. You just have to play ball." Super Performance Puts Nate Irving Atop Depth Chart Denver Broncos linebacker Nate Irving has not started a game at middle linebacker in his professional career yet, but thanks to a few stellar performances when he was pressed into action during the playoffs last year, he has the confidence of his team- mates and coaches. Irving has spent the preseason en- trenched atop the depth chart in the middle of the Broncos' 4-3 defense. It is a journey that began in the second-to-last regular-sea- son game in 2013, when he was called on to replace star linebacker Von Miller. Miller suffered a knee injury in the first quarter against the Texans and Irving notched five tackles in relief. The following week, he logged three stops, including his first career sack, from the strongside position in his first profes- sional start. He went on to start all three playoff contests and logged nine stops. In the Super Bowl, he made four tackles and broke up one pass. The 6-1, 245-pounder is intent on not letting this opportunity pass him by. "I want them to know that I am the guy for the job," he told The Denver Post. "And I can only do that by practicing and playing well, improving my technique and continu- ing to show up in the games." After two preseason contests — both of which he has started — Irving has totaled three tackles, but the numbers don't tell the whole story. He earned the coaches' confi- dence in the playoffs, and it continued this spring when he moved inside. He is look- ing to the chance to become more than just the special teams ace and spot starter he has proved to be so far in his career. ■ BY THE NUMBERS 2 Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has the NFL's second-best selling jersey, ac- cording to the league. The former Wolfpacker and reigning Super Bowl champion was the top seller until being passed by Cleveland Browns rookie signal-caller Johnny Manziel this summer. 3 Was Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon's rank among all of the league's backup quarterbacks, according to NFL.com's Chris Wesseling. 8.1 Percent of NBA rookies polled in an anonymous CBSSports.com survey picked Phoenix Suns forward T.J. WARREN as the first-year player who will have the best NBA career. The former Wolfpacker received the third- most votes. 9 Major league appearances this year for Hous- ton Astros right-hander Jake Buchanan, who was selected out of NC State in the eighth round of the 2010 MLB Draft. He had a record of 1-2 with a 4.18 ERA in 23 2 ⁄3 innings pitched as of Aug. 20. 14 1 ⁄3 Innings pitched for the Chicago White Sox by left-handed pitcher Eric Surkamp this year. He had a record of 1-0 and ERA of 6.28 as of Aug. 20. The 2008 draftee was recalled to the big league club on Aug. 16 after making his debut earlier this season. 20 Strikeouts against five walks in 12 2 ⁄3 in- nings pitched so far in Carlos Rodon's professional career. 48 Quarterback hurries recorded last year by Chicago Bears defensive end Willie Young, according to Pro Football Focus. That total ranked him third in the league. PHOTO COURTESY PHOENIX SUNS