JUNE 21 UPDATE: NC State outfielder Chase Nixon is the latest addition to the transfer portal from the Wolfpack. Nixon officially entered the portal on Friday, becoming the first player from the Pack9 with starting experience to make the move to the portal.
Nixon played in 87 games for the Pack9 during his three years with the program, hitting .284/.399/.376 with two home runs and 36 RBI in his career. His numbers saw a dip in 2024, however, with a .255 average in 102 at-bats with with Pack as other players nailed down starting spots.
Chase Nixon is the son of Trot Nixon and brother of current Wolfpack infielder Luke Nixon.
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RALEIGH, N.C. -- NC State baseballjust finished the 2024 season in theCollege World Series in Omaha, but several players were not able to make the trip. With the Wolfpack cutting the roster downfor the NCAA Tournament,five former Pack9 members have now opted to enter their names in the transfer portal for the 2024 offseason.
The first player to enter that was on the Pack9 roster for the trip to Omaha was relief pitcher Win Scott. His entry comes after spending three years with the Wolfpack program and making 19 total appearances out of the bullpen. Scott made a career-high eight appearances this season with 10 runs allowed in 10 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts. Scott's last appearance came back on April 19 against UNC-Chapel Hill in which he walked the lone batter he faced. He'll have one year of eligibility left next season.
Freshmanpitcher Chance Mako also entered the portal while the Pack was in Omaha. After coming into the year as a potential freshman breakout candidate, the 6-foot-7 freshman had just two appearances all season coming against Queens and UNCG in midweek games. Mako was ranked as theNo. 136 overall in the 2023 MLB Draft on the Prospects Live 2023 MLB Draft Prospects List, but was not drafted after it was clear he was heading to NC State.
Of those names in the portal, the most notable is likely former reliever Garrett Payne. The 6-foot-8 right-handed pitcher has been with the program since the 2021 season and made 30 appearances with six total starts. He compiled a 6.21 ERA in his career with the Wolfpack while striking out 59 and walking 32 over 58 innings.
Payne's most notable start was the only one he made during his freshman campaign on June 25 vs. Vanderbilt in the College World Series as a part of the "Pack13." The righty went a career-long five innings and surrendered one earned run on two hits in the loss, but will forever be a cult hero for Pack baseball fans for his gritty performance against one of the top teams in college baseball.
Two freshmen also entered the portal in infielder Robert Nedry and pitcher Christopher Zupito.
Nedry was the No. 110 shortstop and No. 500 overall playerin the country in the 2023 class, according to Perfect Game. While heonly received one at-batthis season, the expectation was for him to be a solid depth piece next year at second base, shortstop or third base. With Brandon Butterworth expected to return next season, Nedry will look for a spot where he can compete for a starting job next season.
Similarly, Zupito was buried down the depth chart during the 2024 season and didn't get any action as a reliever as a freshman. The Pennsylvania native did get some action back in the fall during a scrimmage against Walters State, but never saw time on the mound during the regular season.
The Pack9 will likely see more attrition this offseason, but will look to replace the inexperience with huge portal additions like former Campbell outfielder Dalen Thompson, who has already committed. With several major needs after the departures of seniors like Alec Makarewicz, Garrett Pennington, Sam Highfill, Logan Whitaker and Jacob Cozart likely headed to the MLB, State will either look to supplement the losses with players developing behind them or through the portal.
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