With the MLB season a couple months in, now’s a good time to take a look at how some of NC State baseball’s professional alums are doing. The Pack recently had eight players selected in the draft, and six of them signed, while two decided to return to school.
Trea Turner, Shortstop, Washington Nationals
Turner played in five games this season before going on the disabled list for two weeks. Since returning to the team, Turner has rebounded from a slow start to his season and is hitting .271 as the Nats’ leadoff man. Turner is tied for fourth in the National League with four triples. He also has seven home runs and 32 RBIs. Turner is third in the NL with 28 stolen bases.
Carlos Rodon, Pitcher, Chicago White Sox
A first-round pick from 2014, Rodon has been injured all year with bursitis in his left bicep, but is scheduled to make his first start of the season this week against the New York Yankees. Rodon is 18-16 with a 3.90 ERA in two seasons in the MLB in his young career.
Andrew Knizner, Catcher, St. Louis Cardinals organization
Knizner began the year with the Cardinals Single-A team in Peoria, and has since been promoted to Double-A Springfield. Knizner hit .279 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs with Peoria, all very solid numbers for a catcher. Knizner is off to a slow start in Springfield, as is expected when a player gets promoted to AA, hitting .179 through seven games.
Preston Palmeiro, First Baseman, Baltimore Orioles organization
Palmeiro is currently manning first base for the Delmarva Shorebirds, the Orioles’ Single-A affiliate in the South Atlantic League. He is hitting .254 with 16 doubles, three triples, nine home runs and 41 RBIs. His increase in power this year is crucial towards his success in the pro ranks.
Will Gilbert, Pitcher, Oakland Athletics organization
Gilbert began the year with the Beloit Snappers in the Midwest League (Single A) and dominated to the tune of a 1.04 ERA in 8.2 innings with six strikeouts. He was quickly promoted to the Stockton Ports in the California League (Single A advanced) and struggled with a 6.86 ERA in 19.2 innings. Gilbert last pitched June fourth due to injury, and has since been assigned to extended spring training where he will remain until he has recovered.
Joe Dunand, Shortstop, Miami Marlins organization
Dunand signed a $1.2 million signing bonus with the Miami Marlins after being drafted in the second round. He has been assigned to the Greensboro Grasshoppers in the South Atlantic League (Single A), but is currently on the disabled list.
Evan Mendoza, Third Baseman, St. Louis Cardinals organization
Mendoza signed a $125,000 signing bonus with the St. Louis Cardinals and was assigned to the State College Spikes in the New York-Penn League (Rookie League). Mendoza is hitting .214 with one double and one RBI through three games.
Andy Cosgrove, Catcher, Minnesota Twins organization
Cosgrove signed with the Minnesota Twins and was assigned to the Elizabethton Twins in the Appalachian League (Rookie League) but has only played in one game so far. He went 2 for 4 with one RBI.
Tim Naughton, Cody Beckman, Tommy Dejuneas all signed contracts but have yet to appear in a game. Josh McLain and Brock Deatherage have opted not to sign a pro contract and will return to school for their senior seasons.
