Another MLB season has come and gone as a new World Series champion has been crowned. With the postseason finished and seasonal accolades divvied out, there is lots to be proud of for the alumni of NC State baseball.
While catcher Patrick Bailey of the San Francisco Giants secured a Gold Glove as the best catcher in the National League, pitcher Carlos Rodon helped play a pivotal role in helping the New York Yankees return to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
Patrick Bailey
One of the most promising defensive talents in Major League Baseball, Patrick Bailey has risen to prominence in the National League. After a midseason call-up last season, he was immediately tasked with filling the void left by the retirement of future Hall of Famer Buster Posey in 2021. Facing a position battle with fellow backstop Joey Bart, Bailey faced additional adversity from the start.
Hungry for more success after a successful rookie season, Bailey returned ready to go in 2024. After the Giants traded Bart, Bailey officially earned the starting spot behind the plate. Despite an up-and-down season for the Giants, he was consistent behind the plate for a pitching staff that attempted to establish itself throughout the season. In 121 games, Bailey connected on 94 hits, eight homers and 46 RBIs on the way to putting together a respectable .234 average.
As his bat continued to gain steam, he continued to make an impact behind the plate on defense. Cutting down on his errors from a year before, Bailey put together an impressive .997 fielding percentage compared to the league average of .992. His defensive presence once again included a strong caught-stealing percentage of 27.1% as he threw out 26 baserunners.
NC State head coach Elliott Avent, who coached Bailey in his time in Raleigh, spoke to the backstop’s defensive prowess.
“He was just so ready,” Avent said. “Catching is what every big league team is looking for, it’s a rarity to find a good catcher. … Obviously his defensive expertise is what led to his quick rise to the big leagues.”
As the season drew to a close, the Giants did not make the postseason for the third-consecutive season. However, Bailey heard his name called in the postseason as he won a Gold Glove award. He was the first San Francisco catcher since 2016 to be crowned the winner of the award.
“I was obviously a little frustrated not getting it last year,” Bailey said after winning his Gold Glove. “I got to work and wanted to improve in all aspects and was just really excited to be able to win it this year.”
Carlos Rodon
Throughout the MLB and perhaps all North American sports, there is not a more passionate and unforgiving fanbase than that which resides in New York City. After signing a six-year, $162 million contract last season, expectations were sky-high for Rodon as a new starting pitcher for the Yankees. Despite coming off a strong season in San Francisco the prior season, a mix of injuries and struggles on the mound hindered his performance. Compiling a dismal 3-8 record along with a 6.85 ERA, it was evident that there was room for improvement.
Rodon was ready to silence the doubt in 2024. He did just that throughout the regular season, boasting an improved ERA of 3.96. Returning to his speciality of the strikeout, he turned in 195 punchouts, which ranked seventh-best in the American League.
The Yankees finished the regular season at 94-68, securing a bye as the first seed in the American League Playoffs. In the divisional series, Rodon took the mound in game two against the Kansas City Royals. Only pitching 3.1 innings and allowing four runs, Rodon tossed seven strikeouts.
After the Yankees secured the series victory against the Royals, Rodon bounced back in a big way against the Cleveland Guardians in the league championship series. In game one, Rodon pitched a masterful six innings in which he only allowed one run on three hits while striking out nine batters. Securing the win, he led the charge in the pivotal game five as he lasted 4.2 innings and allowed only two runs on his way to six strikeouts.
“He is such a competitive person,” Avent said. “One of the more competitive people here — he was the one that always had so much emotion and so much fire that he was already ready. Matter of fact, the bigger the moment, I always thought the better he was.”
After leading his team to victory in the ALCS, Rodon and the Yankees advanced to the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After suffering a crushing extra innings defeat in game one, Rodon took the mound in the second game in the hopes of righting the ship. Despite allowing a second inning home run, Rodon pitched a mostly-clean first two innings. However, the third frame proved to be the difference maker. After earning two outs, he allowed back-to-back homers, including one to eventual World Series MVP Freddie Freeman.
After the Dodgers took game two, Rodon had to sit and wait for the chance to pitch again in the series. Returning to New York, the Yankees secured a victory in game four after being down 0-3. However, unfortunately for Rodon, the Dodgers clinched the World Series in game five and prevented the ultimate prize for Rodon and the Bronx Bombers.
“Just seeing him pitch in his first World Series game … it sure was a thrill to see him pitch in the World Series,” Avent said.
Despite falling short in the World Series, Rodon had much to be proud of. Facing adversity throughout the season, he continued to persevere and boost his team to a height that they had not enjoyed in over a decade. Proving himself capable of thriving amid a big-market ball club, Rodon has a bright future ahead as the pinstripes will look to make a return to the Fall Classic in 2025.
