NC State baseball picks up hard-throwing pitcher from transfer portal

Oklahoma right-handed redshirt sophomore pitcher Creed Watkins announced on Twitter Monday afternoon that he was joining the NC State baseball program. Watkins becomes the seventh portal addition thus far for the Wolfpack.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder from Duncan, Okla., pitched just one game for the Sooners in 2022. Prior to that, Watkins pitched at Seminole State College. In 12 games there in 2001, Watkins registered a 2.70 earned run average (ERA) and a save in 12 games. He struck out 25 batters over 16.2 innings while allowing 10 hits and walking 11.

In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Watkins allowed six hits and seven walks in 7.2 innings while fanning nine and posting a 3.52 ERA.

This summer, Watkins has been clocked at 99 miles per hour while pitching in the MLB Draft League.

Davidson Standout Duo Previously Announced Transfers To NC State Baseball

Davidson outfield teammates Trevor Candeleria and Parker Nolan highlight the NC State baseball transfer additions thus far.

Candelaria broke out in 2021 when he hit .285 with 11 homers and 17 doubles in 172 at bats. He also stole 13 bases and was named all-conference. In two games against NC State, Candelaria went 3 for 7 with two doubles and a home run and walked once.

This past season, Candelaria was a star, batting .342 with 13 home runs, 19 doubles and a pair of triples in 234 at bats. He also drove in 62 while scoring 62 times as well. His on-base percentage was an impressive .452, and he stole 13 bases. He was named first-team All-Atlantic 10 and helped Davidson go 43-13.

Candelaria played right field for Davidson last year next to centerfielder Parker Nolan, who earlier announced his plans to transfer to NC State.

Nolan batted .310 at the plate with 15 homers and 50 runs batted in (RBI). Nolan added 11 doubles and 5 triples and had a .663 slugging percentage. Nolan walked 40 times for a .442 on-base percentage and stole 12 bases while helping Davidson win the Atlantic 10 regular season title. He, too, was named first-team all-conference.

Both Nolan and Candelaria will be super seniors for NC State baseball.

Four More Are Transferring To NC State

Also transferring to NC State baseball includes Oregon left-handed pitcher Rio Britton, Texas A&M shortstop Kalae Harrison, Davidson Clemson left-handed pitcher P.J. Labriola and Old Dominion utility player Carter Trice.

Britton just completed his second season for the Ducks and threw 39.1 innings over 34 appearances, surrendering 25 hits and allowing a .188 batting average. Britton walked 20 but struck out 35.

He had a 4-1 record on the mound with a save while registering a 3.20 ERA. NC State is seeking a new closer after Chris Villaman was drafted by Tampa Bay.

Harrison started all 56 games at shortstop for Texas A&M in 2021, his freshman season. He batted .224 with a couple of homers and 26 RBI while scoring 25 runs. He also had five doubles and walked 23 times for a .311 on-base percentage. In the field, Harrison had a .943 fielding percentage and led the team with 120 assists while committing 11 errors.

A back injury limited Harrison to just 19 games, 13 of them starts, in 2022. He was 6 of 37 at the plate with a pair of doubles and 4 RBI. He had an impressive .962 fielding percentage. Texas A&M reached the College World Series this year.

NC State starting shortstop Josh Hood was drafted by the Seattle Mariners.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Labriola appeared in 16 games, all in relief, last season as a redshirt sophomore for the Tigers and had a 5.06 ERA, giving up 15 hits and five walks in 10.2 innings but also impressively striking out 16 batters.

Trice played all over the field last season as a sophomore, starting 34 games in right field, 13 at second base, three in left field and one at designated hitter.

Trice recorded a .288 batting average, belted 17 home runs, including a pair of grand slams, and stole 18 bases. He added 49 RBIs and 13 doubles while landing a spot on the All-Conference USA second team.

Trice was named to the Collegiate Baseball All-America second team and the Freshman All-America team after leading the Monarchs in batting average at .355 and hits with 83 in 2021. Perfect Game Baseball also awarded Trice with a Freshman All-America First Team selection.