Fresh off a series win over a top-10 Duke team, the No. 3 NC State baseball team is enjoying an extremely successful 2018 campaign. While former Wolfpack baseball players in the pros have not enjoyed as much success so far this year, there are much more encouraging signs in the minor league ranks.
Andrew Knizner, Catcher, St. Louis Cardinals Organization
Knizner is on a tear in Double-A for the Springfield Cardinals. The former Wolfpack backstop has posted multiple hits in each of his last six games, totaling seven RBIs in that stretch. He is leading the Texas League in hitting with an absurd .435 average. Cardinals blog “Red Bird Daily” ranked Knizner the 5th-best prospect in the entire organization last month. MLB.com currently ranks Knizner as the 27th-best prospect in the St. Louis farm system, but if he continues this production, he will surely move up the ranks.
Carlos Rodon, Pitcher, Chicago White Sox
Rodon has missed all of 2018 after having shoulder surgery in September. While the White Sox placed Rodon on the 60-day DL to begin the season, the Sox are extremely hopeful about a late-May to early-June return for the 25-year-old lefty. Rodon threw three innings in an extended spring training game Monday. Rodon’s return will be welcomed by the White Sox, who currently sit a half game out of last place in their division.
Trea Turner, Shortstop, Washington Nationals
Rodon’s former Pack teammate and fellow first-round draft pick Trea Turner’s 2018 season has also started a bit slow. The speedy shortstop has slumped at the plate, hitting under .250 with only one home run and four RBIs. He is too good of a hitter to stay cold for too long, though. Turner has affected the game in other ways for his Nationals, leading MLB in stolen bases with nine.
Brett Austin, Catcher, Chicago White Sox Organization
Rodon and Turner’s teammate on the record-setting 2013 Wolfpack team, Austin hopes to rejoin Rodon with the White Sox. For now though, the catcher is still toiling in AAA with the Norfolk Tides. Austin is serving as a backup, and is hitting .200 with a hit in five at-bats, appearing in two games.
Preston Palmeiro, First Baseman, Baltimore Orioles Organization
Preston Palmeiro is currently playing High-A ball with the Frederick Keys in the Carolina League. Palmeiro, the son of former Orioles star Rafael Palmeiro, is also off to a hot start, as he’s seventh in the league in hitting, posting a .324 clip.
Joe Dunand, Third Baseman, Miami Marlins Organization
Dunand, also in High-A ball, is playing in the Florida State League with the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Miami Marlins organization. MLB.com lists Dunand as the 17th-best prospect in the Marlins organization. The third baseman, who also owns bloodlines with a ‘90s baseball star, as he is the nephew of Alex Rodriguez, is also hitting for a high average at .328. Dunand is ninth in the league in total bases.
Evan Mendoza, Third Baseman, St. Louis Cardinals Organization
Mendoza is off to a hot start with the Palm Beach Cardinals, also in the Florida State League. Oddly enough, he is tied with his former teammate Joe Dunand, posting a .328 batting average. Mendoza hopes to one day rejoin former Pack teammate Knizner in St. Louis with the Cardinals.
