Tag: College Baseball

Diamond Heels reward head coach with a big contract extension

Scott Forbes continued the winning tradition of UNC baseball when he took over as head coach in 2021. He’ll be in Chapel Hill for at least five more seasons.

When legendary head coach Mike Fox retired in 2020 after leading the UNC baseball program for 22 seasons, I wondered two things: Who would be the next head coach? Would North Carolina’s next head coach be able to find the same success Fox did?

When Fox retired in August 2020, the Diamond Heels tabbed longtime Fox assistant Scott Forbes as their next coach.

Since hiring Forbes, the 2024 ACC Coach of the Year, UNC has made the NCAA Tournament every season. North Carolina won the 2022 ACC Tournament and this year’s ACC Regular Season Title, plus made it back to the College World Series this summer for the first time since 2018.

For all the success Forbes has led the Diamond Heels to in just his four seasons, he was rewarded on Monday afternoon with a 5-year contract extension.

Here’s something else you may not know about Forbes: in all the legendary coaches to come through Chapel Hill, he is the ONLY one to lead UNC to NCAA Tournament appearances – in each of a head coach’s first four seasons.

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That postseason streak started in 2021, when North Carolina barely squeaked into the NCAA Tournament and finished 28-27. The Diamond Heels won the ACC Tournament in 2022 and reached the 40-win plateau, but were swept in their Super Regional by Arkansas. UNC’s 2023 postseason, sans all-time program great Vance Honeycutt was ended in the Terre Haute Regional by Iowa.

As alluded to earlier, 2024 was undoubtedly Forbes’ best year leading the Diamond Heels. An extremely talented team led by MLB Draftees Honeycutt, Casey Cook and Dalton Pence, North Carolina set off multiple fireworks in the postseason.

First, it was the walkoff against Long Island University in the Chapel Hill Regional Opener. Then, it was staving off elimination against 2023 CWS champion LSU in the ninth inning. UNC kept the momentum rolling into the Super Regional, walking off West Virginia and sweeping the Mountaineers in two games. Honeycutt delivered again in the College World Series, walking off Virginia in Game One.

The Diamond Heels will look extremely different next year, particularly in the field, but I have no doubt Forbes will get the most out of his talent.

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Clemson baseball standout ranked No. 2 overall 2025 MLB Draft prospect

Clemson Tigers outfielder Cam Cannarella could be one of the first names chosen in the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft.

Clemson Tigers outfielder Cam Cannarella has become must-see TV after bursting on to the college baseball scene as a freshman in 2023 and posting a solid follow-up campaign his sophomore season.

Cannarella batted .337 for coach Erik Bakich’s team this past season, finishing with 11 home runs, 16 doubles and 60 RBIs in 58 games. He posted an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging) of .978.

On Wednesday, Cannarella was ranked the No. 2 overall prospect for the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft by veteran baseball analyst Jim Callis of MLB.com and MLB Pipeline.

Per Callis’ rankings:

“One of the best hitters and center-field defenders in the Draft, Cannarella slashed .337/.417/.561 with 11 homers as a sophomore while playing with a torn labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder that required surgery in July. A top-of-the-order catalyst, he has a quick left-handed swing and plus speed but will need to add strength and learn to lift more balls to get to average power.”

Only Texas A&M Aggies slugger Jace LaViolette was ranked ahead of Cannarella in Callis’ rankings.

RELATED: Clemson baseball lands a massive commitment from Louis Hernandez Jr.

With the glove, Cannarella made the most talked about catch of the NCAA Tournament last season in the Tigers’ Super Regional against the Florida Gators on June 9. With two outs in a tie game in the bottom of the 10th inning, Florida’s Ashton Wilson hit a drive to deep centerfield that looked destined to be a game-winning home run.

Instead, Cannarella made a running, over-the-shoulder grab with his back to the field to keep the Tigers’ hopes alive. Clemson would go on to lose to Florida, 11-10, in 13 innings, but Cannarella’s play earned recognition from ESPN’s SportsCenter, while others on social media likened it to Willie Mays’ basket catch in the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians.

RELATED: Clemson ranked top 5 in way-too-early Baseball America Top 25 rankings

The Tigers ended the season 44-16 overall and ranked No. 9 in the final USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll. Clemson had climbed to as high as No. 2 in the polls during the regular season after a blistering 28-3 start.

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SEC baseball releases 2025 schedules: Here’s who Kentucky will play

The SEC released the 2025 conference schedules for all 16 baseball teams Thursday afternoon. Here’s who Kentucky will face in conference play in 2025.

The Southeastern Conference announced the 2025 league baseball schedules for all 16 members on Thursday. The Kentucky Wildcats will play five conference series at home and five on the road.

Here’s who the Bat Cats will play.

Kentucky will open conference play on the road against Georgia in Athens, March 14-16, and will also visit Texas A&M, Tennessee, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt in league action. The Volunteers won the 2024 College World Series over the runner-up Aggies. Kentucky will be in Knoxville for Easter Weekend, April 18-20.

Auburn, Ole Miss and South Carolina are three of the more familiar SEC rivals who will visit Kentucky Proud Park in 2025, as will conference newcomers Texas and Oklahoma. Auburn will head to Lexington on March 21-23 for Kentucky’s SEC home opener.

Texas is scheduled to visit Lexington, April 11-13, while Kentucky will host Oklahoma in the second to last regular-season series, May 9-11. The Bat Cats will close the regular season in Nashville against Vanderbilt, May 15-17 before the SEC Tournament in Hoover (Ala.).

Kentucky is coming off its best season in program history. The Bat Cats won a school-record 46 games to finish 46-16 overall and were ranked No. 3 in the final USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll behind Tennessee and Texas A&M. Kentucky reached the College World Series for the first time in school history.

After the season, Kentucky had seven players selected in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft: outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt (No. 31 overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks), second baseman Emilien Pitre (second-round, Tampa Bay Rays), pitcher Trey Pooser (fifth-round, Tampa Bay), first baseman Ryan Nicholson (10th round, Los Angeles Angels), and pitchers Mason Moore (15th round, Chicago White Sox), Travis Smith (15th round, Milwaukee Brewers) and Dominic Niman (18th round, Tampa Bay).

 

The 2025 season will be the ninth for Kentucky under coach Nick Mingione, who recently agreed to a longterm contract extension with the school just last week.

RELATED: Kentucky baseball coach Nick Mingione agrees to contract extension

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Legendary UNC baseball coach Mike Fox announced as 2025 college baseball HOF inductee

Longtime UNC baseball coach Mike Fox will be honored with a College Baseball Hall of Fame induction early in 2025.

Though Scott Forbes has exceeded expectations leading the North Carolina Tar Heels’ baseball program over the past four seasons, their program wouldn’t achieve the same level of success it does today without longtime head coach Mike Fox.

UNC made seven College World Series appearances under Fox, including runner-up finishes to Oregon State in 2006 and 2007. Fox won a whopping 948 games leading North Carolina – and 1,487 overall. That total is ninth-best all-time amongst college baseball coaches.

With all the success Fox experienced in his managerial career, particularly leading the Diamond Heels, it comes as no surprise that Fox will be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Fox’s induction ceremony will be on Feb. 13, 2025 in Overland Park, Kan, one day before the start of college baseball season.

Fox’s career accolades also include multiple coaching awards, highlighted by being named Baseball America’s 2008 National Coach of the Year and ACC’s 2018 Coach of the Year.

If you remember UNC standouts and future MLB Draft picks Andrew Miller, Dustin Ackley, Colin Moran and Aaron Sabato, who all won numerous Player of the Year awards, Fox coached all of them.

When Fox walks across that stage, he’ll be joined by MLB and college baseball legends Mike Schmidt and Roger Clemens, Mark Texeira, Bill Thom, Jeff King, Murray Wall, Randy Ross, coaches Woody Hunt and Wilbert Ellis, plus umpire Jim Paronto.

It was truly an honor watching Fox lead the Diamond Heels for over two decades. Now, he’ll be getting the greatest post-career honor in college baseball.

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Kentucky barely cracks Baseball America way-too-early Top 25 rankings

Here’s where Kentucky ranks in Baseball America’s first way-too-early Top 25 for next season.

Kentucky baseball is coming off its best season in program history.

Nick Mingione’s team reached the College World Series for the first time in school history and went 46-16 overall to finish No. 3 in the final USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll behind national champion Tennessee and runner-up Texas A&M.

But roster turnover, which includes the transfer portal and losing a plethora of players to the professional ranks through the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft (plus two others who signed as non-drafted free agents), will cause Mingione to have to rebuild if the Wildcats expect to reach Omaha again next season.

Because of that, Baseball America has Kentucky at No. 23 in its way-too-early Top 25 rankings for the 2025 season, released Wednesday.

Per Baseball America:

“Mingione has proven adept at managing the transfer portal to reload. He also has some key returners to build around in catcher Devin Burkes and righthander Robert Hogan.

Kentucky doesn’t have the most talented roster in this Top 25 and another school with this kind of turnover might not be ranked here. But after hosting back-to-back regionals with similar builds, the Wildcats have earned the benefit of the doubt.”

Kentucky saw four pitchers and three position players selected via the MLB Draft, including outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt (No. 31 overall by Arizona) and second baseman Emilien Pitre (second round, No. 58 overall by Tampa Bay). First baseman Ryan Nicholson was drafted in the 10th round by the Los Angeles Angels (no. 292 overall).

Pitchers Trey Pooser (10th round, Tampa Bay), Mason Moore (15th round, Chicago White Sox), Travis Smith (15th round, Milwaukee) and Dominic Niman (18th round, Tampa Bay) were selected, as well. Infielders Mitchell Daly and Grant Smith were signed as non-drafted free agents.

In the transfer portal, the Wildcats lost outfielder Nolan McCarthy to Georgia but have added pitchers Nic McCay (from South Dakota State), Chase Alderman (Eastern Kentucky), Scott Rouse (Radford), Oliver Boone (Cal), Simon Gregersen (Indiana State), Matthew Watson (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi), Ethan Walker (Longwood) and Cole Hentschel (Richmond).

Kentucky also picked up Kansas State catcher Raphael Pelletier, INF/OF Cole Hage (Columbia), INFs Luke Lawrence (Illinois State) and Dylan Koontz (Campbell), and outfielders Shaun Montoya (San Diego State) and Will Marcy (Memphis). Outfielder Carson Hansen, who spent last season at Milwaukee-Wisconsin, committed to Arkansas before changing his commitment to Kentucky last week.

Outfielder Jackson Strong (Canisius) committed to Kentucky in the transfer portal but was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the seventh round. Strong has yet to sign with the Tigers.

Clemson ranked top 5 in way-too-early Baseball America Top 25 rankings

Here’s where Baseball America has the Tigers in their way too early Top 25 rankings for next season.

Clemson baseball coach Erik Bakich has been one of the most active coaches in the transfer portal since his team’s 2024 season ended in the Super Regional.

The Tigers have made a splash of additions via the portal this off-season, including former Purdue first baseman and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Luke Holman.

Michigan infielder Collin Priest and Indiana State outfielder Dominic Listi were two of the first names added. Wake Forest left-hander Hudson Lee became the Tigers’ latest addition earlier this week.

Clemson has added seven players total via the portal and lost four: infielders Nolan Nawrocki, Cooper Blauser, right-hander Billy Barlow and outfielder Nathan Lee.

The Tigers also had five players chosen in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft: senior infielder Blake Wright, right-hander Austin Gordon, left-handers Tristan Smith and Rocco Reid and outfielder Will Taylor. Taylor, a fifth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates, is the only Tigers player that has yet to sign his professional contract.

RELATED: Clemson baseball sees five players chosen in 2024 MLB Draft

Earlier this week, Baseball America released its first way-too-early Top 25 rankings for the 2025 season. Clemson checked in at No. 4, one spot below Florida State at No. 3.

Per Baseball America:

“Clemson is coming off a super regional appearance and will be looking to make its first trip to Omaha since 2010. The Tigers will be led by center fielder Cam Cannarella, who is one of the favorites to win Player of the Year honors. On the mound, righthander Aidan Knaak and lefthander Ethan Darden return to lead the rotation.

“Needing to replace its two leading power threats in Jimmy Obertop and Blake Wright, as well as closer Austin Gordon, Clemson hit the portal for some pop and landed Big Ten freshman of the year Luke Gaffney (Purdue). Erik Bakich’s third year at the program’s helm should be an exciting one.”

Clemson was ranked as high as No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll last season after starting the year 28-3. They ended the season at 44-16 overall and finished No. 9 in the final coaches poll.

LSU was No. 1 in Baseball America’s way too early Top 25 with Florida at No. 2. Reigning national champion Tennessee was No. 7.

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Report: Significant scholarship increases coming for college teams

Scholarship limits are going away in college athletics, giving football programs 20 more scholarships as part of the House vs. NCAA lawsuit settlement.

Power conference commissioners finalized new roster-size limits which will increase scholarship counts for multiple sports – notably including football, baseball, softball, volleyball, and small increases for men’s and women’s basketball.

The figures were told to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports under condition of anonymity.

The new revenue-sharing model going into effect in 2025-26 will eliminate by-sport scholarship restrictions, meaning schools can offer scholarships to the entire of their rosters – although this will not be final until the approval of settlement terms with the House.

Football is expected to see an increase in roster limit from 85 up to 105, while baseball goes from 11.7 to 34, softball from 12 to 25, and volleyball from 12 to 18.

Basketball on both the men’s and women’s side will increase from 13 to 15.

Details for other sports are expected in the settlement paperwork for three antitrust cases, including the House v. NCAA lawsuit.

Another key change will  be the scholarship structure, where all sports will now be considered equivalency sports. This means partial scholarships can be distributed to players in all sports. Previously football and basketball were considered ‘head-count sports’ which meant players had to be on full scholarship.

These and other key changes have a dramatic impact on budgets all across the college athletics landscape, and the full scope of these ramifications – positive or negative – will start to be felt soon as lawsuits begin to get settled.

Oklahoma secures commitment from dual-sport athlete Alec Blair

Oklahoma secured a commitment from Alec Blair, who plans to compete in both basketball and baseball for the Sooners in 2025.

Porter Moser and the Oklahoma Sooners have had a fantastic week here in July, the program’s third as a member of the SEC.

First the Sooners secured a commitment from Jeremiah Fears, a four-star guard who decommitted from Illinois and reclassified so he can join the team this fall.

Then, the team landed former Oregon State and St. John’s forward Glenn Taylor Jr via the transfer portal, and now the team has another commitment set to join the program next year in Alec Blair.

Blair is a 6’6 forward from Concord, California who is ranked No. 38 in the class of 2025 according to 247Sports, and who had offers from Texas A&M, Cal, Oregon, Clemson, USC, and a few others.

Blair is also a dual-sport athlete who plans to compete for Oklahoma not only on the hardwood but on the baseball diamond as a center fielder as well.

He is considered not only a top 40 recruit in basketball, but a potential MLB prospect as well and should help both Oklahoma programs succeed in what will be the school’s second season in the SEC starting in 2025.

Longhorns baseball signs JUCO slugger Jaquae Stewart

The Texas native recently helped Northwest Florida State College reach the junior college national championship game

On Monday, the Texas Longhorns baseball team continued to improve its roster, adding slugger Jaquae Stewart from the transfer portal. The Texas native recently helped Northwest Florida State College reach the junior college national championship game. Before starting his college career, Stewart was one of the top-ranked first basemen in the state.

During his lone season with Northwest Florida, Stewart was an on-base machine. In 211 plate appearances, he posted a .356 batting average and drove in 62 runs. He also showed off his power as 23 of his 47 hits went for extra bases. With Stewart in the mix, the Longhorns have another dangerous bat to put in the middle of the order.

Additionally, in the playoffs, Stewart thrived when the stakes got higher. At the Florida junior college regional championships, he went 3-4 at the plate and drove in six runs in the title game against Chipola College. Due to his play, Stewart won the Most Outstanding Player award.

Signing a player of Stewart’s caliber should make the Longhorns a better team. They have been busy this week in the transfer portal, adding former Indiana State left-hander Jared Spencer.

While Texas is far from done, they now have a much-needed impact bat to help an offense that recently lost a few pieces, in Peyton Powell and Jared Thomas. Replacing their production will be no easy task, but Stewart will be part of the solution.

When he does arrive on campus, Stewart will be eager to make an excellent first impression and build on his success against more advanced competition.

Seattle Mariners sign Longhorns closer Gage Boehm

The Texas native signed with the Seattle Mariners on Friday and will take his talents to the Pacific Northwest

After going undrafted, former Longhorns RHP Gage Boehm has signed his first professional contract. The Texas native signed with the Seattle Mariners on Friday and will take his talents to the Pacific Northwest. After an impressive 2024 season with the Longhorns, he will look to make an impact in the Mariners system.

Boehm was an effective piece in his lone year as a Longhorn, posting a 2.53 ERA in 25 appearances. He also struck out 60 batters and held opponents to a .187 batting average. With Boehm in the back of the bullpen, Texas was a formidable opponent late in games due to his ability to limit hard contact.

As Boehm frustrated opposing hitters, he thrived in high-pressure situations. The Taylor, Texas native recorded eight saves, making the transition from San Jacinto College seem effortless. Against tougher competition, the Longhorns reliever took his game to another level.

Over the last few days, MLB teams have been busy adding Longhorns to their minor league systems. Earlier this week, infielder Peyton Powell signed with the Toronto Blue Jays after going undrafted. Three Longhorn players were also selected in the MLB Draft.

Although Boem’s time at Texas was short-lived, he showed that he has the tools to be a very good reliever. His arsenal includes a fastball in the mid-nineties with movement to keep hitters off balance. While his pro career is just beginning, Boem could end up being a steal for the Mariners and an essential piece in high-leverage situations.