With the MLB season past the halfway point, now’s a good time to take a look at how some of NC State baseball’s professional alumni are doing. The Pack recently had six players enter the professional ranks and have had injuries hamper a few players.
Trea Turner, Shortstop, Washington Nationals
Turner suffered a broken wrist on a hit by pitch June 29 and has not played since. There is no timetable for his return but the Nationals hope to have him back this season. Despite his injury, Turner is still tied for 10th in the National League with four triples and tied for second with 35 stolen bases despite playing in only 68 games, roughly two-thirds of the season so far.
Carlos Rodon, Pitcher, Chicago White Sox
Rodon made his first start of the season June 28 after spending the first three months on the disabled list. Since returning to the mound, he is 1-4 with a 6.29 ERA in five starts. He picked up his first career hit with a two-RBI double against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday. The White Sox are in a rebuilding phase and hope that Rodon can become a cornerstone at the top of the rotation as they improve towards playoff contention in the next couple of years.
Andrew Knizner, Catcher, St. Louis Cardinals Organization
Knizner has taken the Cardinals organization by storm since being drafted 13 months ago. He has already reached the AA level, which is incredible, especially for a catcher. He has played 23 games with the AA Springfield Cardinals and is hitting .313 with six doubles and two home runs. Knizner is hitting .322 with 16 home runs in his minor-league career spanning parts of two seasons and totaling 120 games.
Preston Palmeiro, First Baseman, Baltimore Orioles Organization
Palmeiro was a seventh-round pick last season and struggled in his debut. In his first full season with the low-A Delmarva Shorebirds, Palmeiro has tapped into his power, not something he was known for during his three years with the Pack. Palmeiro is hitting .252, but has 12 home runs, 18 doubles and three triples. Palmeiro’s power is very important to his game for him to rise through the minor league ranks.
Evan Mendoza, Third Baseman, St. Louis Cardinals Organization
Mendoza is in the midst of his first season after being an 11th-round draft pick. He is off to a solid start with the short season State College Spikes. He is hitting .324 with two triples, a home run and seven doubles.
Andy Cosgrove, Catcher, Minnesota Twins Organization
Cosgrove was a 17th-round pick of the Twins and is playing for the rookie league Elizabethton Twins. Cosgrove has only played in 10 games and is off to a slow start hitting .184 with no extra base hits.
Tommy Dejuneas, Pitcher, Cleveland Indians Organization
Dejuneas was a 26th round-pick and is pitching for the rookie league Arizona League Indians. He has seven and 9.1 innings under his belt and a 2.89 ERA.
Tim Naughton, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles Organization
Naughton was a 34th-round pick and is currently the closer for the Gulf Coast League Orioles. He is four for four in save opportunities among eight appearances and has a 1.13 ERA.
Cody Beckman, Pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers Organization
Beckman was a 30th-round pick and debuted with the Arizona League Brewers. He made three scoreless appearances before being promoted to the Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League, also in rookie ball. He has made four more scoreless appearances with Helena, including one save.
Infielder Joe Dunand and pitchers Will Gilbert and Ryan Williamson are on the disabled list. Gilbert hasn’t pitched since June 4 while Dunand has yet to make his pro debut. Williamson underwent Tommy John surgery after he was drafted and has yet to take the mound. If there haven’t been any setbacks, Williamson will likely debut at some point this year.
