North Carolina A&T State made some great strides in the fall. A large number of players graduated from the program last year, and the program has 22 newcomers this year. Objectives in the fall for a team with so many new players are getting them familiar with each other, instilling the expectations day in and day out for the program, creating consistent work habits, and learning the brand of baseball the Aggies want to play.
A major focus of this fall was getting more physical. Head coach Ben Hall stated “We emphasized that in the recruiting class and we’re happy with Coach Thompkins and the work they put in the weight room. I think for a young, new team, the guys did a great job of showing growth throughout the fall. This is by far the most physical team we have had in recent years. The biggest question mark will be how a totally re-tooled pitching staff gels and improves over the course of this year.”
NCA&T played two exhibitions this fall, versus the University of North Carolina Greensboro and Elon University. Both were competitive and valuable teaching opportunities that the team really drew from.
Players to watch according to head coach Ben Hall…
Returners:
Enrique Wood, senior shortstop: He had a standout summer for the Martinsville Mustangs in Costal Plains League. Wood was chosen as an all-star and played in the Select Game vs Team USA. “We challenged him to take the next step as a player from last year. He has taken ownership of his game, has gotten stronger, and has shown more confidence in leading that infield. He is definitely primed for a big year.”
Angel Ortiz, senior righthanded pitcher: Ortiz did not throw this fall, was held out for precautionary reasons, but got a clean bill of health and he is on track for spring. “Was moved into the rotation last season in conference play and gave us some really quality starts down the stretch. He will be a key piece, in rotation, and senior leadership.”
Diego Barrett, senior righthanded pitcher: Did not have the statistical year we expected last year but has worked hard to improve in areas that will generate success for him. Threw some solid innings this fall and was really sharp late in the fall performing well in the Fall World Series. His velocity was up a tick from last fall, sitting 90-92 mph with a solid slider.
Newcomers:
Really the most impressive part of the fall practice period for A&T was the youth movement that established itself. There are a multitude of first-year freshmen who look to make early impacts on the spring.
Tyler Smith, freshman catcher and Bruce Wyche, freshman outfielder who both had big falls. Offensively, they are physical, can run the ball out of the yard, and show some maturity beyond their years. Both will play a big role in the spring.
Mekai Griffin, freshman righthanded pitcher is another first-year player who will make an early impact. He was consistently 90-92 mph most of the fall with a developing off-speed repertoire. He is competitive and displayed a mature presence throughout the fall.
Other freshmen will become household names over the next couple of months.
Matt Murtagh, junior righthanded pitcher: transfer from SUNY Sullivan College, had a great first fall here and showed a big arm, and feel for three pitches. Has a mid-90s arm, really pitched 90-91, touched some 94s/95s at times. Murtagh is hyper-competitive and will be a key piece in the spring.
Freddie Oliver, junior first baseman: Transfer from Gaston College has some legit thump in his bat, left-handed hitter, showed a physical presence in the lineup throughout the fall. We are excited about his potential to drive the baseball, he also has a thoughtful baseball brain, so there is some hit tool there.
Jacob Halford, senior righthanded pitcher: A transfer from North Carolina State. This was the big portal pick up in the summer recruiting cycle. Logged innings in all three years at NC State, pitching in a regional in 2023. Jacob brings a wealth of experience into the program and has stuff to go with it. He was consistently 91-93 mph with good action on fastball, and a couple of out pitches. He is a local product from Greensboro, so we’re excited to see him accomplish some big things this spring in his senior year.