The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/503388
84 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ■ PACK PROS 22-year-old totaled 51 strikeouts against 17 walks in 34 2 ⁄3 innings, which is the ex- tent of his minor league experience after being chosen No. 3 overall in last year's draft. He is the second player from his draft class to make the majors, following fellow pitcher Brandon Finnegan of the Kansas City Royals. It was a rough major league debut for Rodon, who started this year as the No. 15 overall prospect in baseball according to MLB.com. Coming out of the bullpen — although his future is as a front-line starter — on April 21, he was put in a tough situation. Two runners were already on base, and he walked his first batter on four straight pitches. A single brought in two runs before Rodon induced a ground out to end the sixth inning. The seventh started with two more walks, and both eventually scored, before he started to settle in during the eighth in- ning. He allowed a pair of earned runs on three hits in 2 1 ⁄3 innings and walked three while striking out one in the 6-2 loss. His fastball reportedly touched 97 miles per hour on the stadium scoreboard, but only 29 of his 60 pitches were strikes. "He was pretty amped up and couldn't really get it the way he wanted to and place it," White Sox manager Robin Ventura told The Chicago Sun-Times. "But he's up here for that reason, being able to come in and fill some innings. "Regardless of what happened tonight, he's got good stuff and he's got good makeup." "Rodon should make for a devastat- ing left-handed reliever because his slider already ranks with the best in the big leagues," MLB.com's Jim Callis wrote when Rodon was called up. "He usually throws it in the mid-80s and can reach the 90s, and its two-plane break is just as no- table as its velocity. It destroys left-handed hitters, but can also get right-handers out as well. "The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder also has a quality fastball that sits at 92-94 miles per hour and tops out at 97. Rodon's changeup can give him a third plus pitch at its best, though it's not as consistent as his fastball and slider. "[After he breaks into the starting rota- tion], he'll team with Chris Sale to give Chicago two of the best lefty starters in baseball." ■ MLB Player Updates Through April 27 • Jake Buchanan (Played at NC State from 2008‑10), RHP, Houston Astros: Is on the club's 40-man roster, but not the active one, so is currently suiting up for its Triple-A squad … Is 2-0 with a 3.68 ERA in four appearances and three starts for the Fresno Grizzlies. • Jonathan Diaz (2004‑06), SS, Toronto Blue Jays: Was called up to the bigs April 28 after Jose Reyes was placed on the disabled list … Played in 16 games with Triple-A Buffalo and hit .178. • Nathan Karns (2007), RHP, Tampa Bay Rays: The right-handed hurler, who finished his college career at Texas Tech, has started five games this year and has a record of 1-1 with an ERA of 4.76 … Has allowed 15 earned runs and struck out 25 against 16 walks in 28 1 ⁄3 innings pitched. • Cory Mazzoni (2009‑11), RHP, San Diego Padres: Earned the call-up April 26 to the San Diego Padres, who he was traded to from the New York Mets in March … Made his debut the next day, and allowed two earned runs in one inning pitched … Was on the 40-man roster, but started the season with the Padres' Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas … Appeared in six games in the minors and recorded an ERA of 1.08 … Allowed just one run in 8 1 ⁄3 innings and struck out 13. • Carlos Rodon (2012‑14), LHP, Chicago White Sox: Has made one appearance for the big league club … Is 0-0 with a 7.71 ERA and one strikeout against three walks in 2 1 ⁄3 innings pitched. • Eric Surkamp (2006‑08), LHP, Chicago White Sox: Is on the White Sox' 40-man roster, but not the active one … Has appeared in five games out of the bull- pen for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, and has a record of 1-0 with one save and a 4.15 ERA. ■ NBA Player Updates Final • Lorenzo Brown (Played at NC State from 2011‑13), G, Minnesota Timberwolves: Joined the 16-66 Timberwolves midway through the season … Appeared in 29 contests and averaged 18.9 minutes, 4.2 points, 3.1 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game. • J.J. Hickson (2008), C/F, Denver Nuggets: Was mostly a reserve for the 30-52 Nuggets … Appeared in 73 games and averaged 19.3 minutes, 7.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists per contest … Notched his ninth double-double of the campaign with 14 points and 12 rebounds April 10 against Dallas. • T.J. Warren (2013‑14), F, Phoenix Suns: His playing time really picked up down the stretch … Finished the season with 40 games played for the 39-43 Suns, and averaged 15.4 minutes, 6.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists per outing … Shot 52.8 percent from the floor … Tallied double-digit points in three straight games from March 29-April 2, including a career-high 18 points against Oklahoma City March 29. Quotable • "If his stats are considered against other strong safeties from 2001 through 2014, then Wilson retired second in tackles (by just four), third in interceptions, first in sacks, tied for fifth in forced fumbles, tied for fifth in recovered fumbles and tied for third in defensive touchdowns. However, if Wil - son's numbers are compared during the seasons he actually played — 2001-12 — then Wilson was the best safety in pro football. … During his actual 12- year career, Wilson led all strong safeties in tackles and sacks, was second in interceptions, fourth in forced fumbles and still fifth in recovered fumbles, while he tied for second in defensive touchdowns." — ESPN.com's Josh Weinfuss in his article titled, 'Adrian Wilson has Hall of Fame credentials but Canton is a long shot' after the former Wolfpack star's retirement from the NFL April 20. The last true safety to be in- ducted was Ken Houston, who retired in 1980. • "Crisp's performance against Clemson speed rusher Vic Beasley alone should get him drafted, but he's knocked for his lack of brute strength and raw power. Still, finding long athletes — he's 6-6 with 34- inch arms — either late in the draft of as priority free agents is rare, and Crisp could end up being a nice project if he accepts tough coaching." — Yahoo! Sports' Eric Edholm on former NCSU left tackle Rob Crisp, who he named as his offensive lineman who will go undrafted but shouldn't. The NFL Draft is set for April 30-May 2. ■ By The Numbers 2 Straight years that former Wolfpack quarterback Russell Wilson has been ranked as the No. 1 seller in officially licensed products by the NFL Players Inc. He outsold all players in Nike jerseys, ugly sweaters and vinyl collectible figurines this year. 6 Players in NFL history who have logged at least 25 sacks and 25 interceptions — former Pack star Adrian Wilson is one. From 2001‑12, Adrian Wilson recorded the most tackles and sacks among all NFL strong safeties, and ranked second in in‑ terceptions and fourth in forced fumbles. PHOTO COURTESY ARIZONA CARDINALS