NC State lands commitment from San Diego transfer SS Justin DeCriscio
NC State lost starting shortstop Brandon Butterworth to the MLB Draft last week, but it may have found his replacement in the transfer portal. The Wolfpack garnered a commitment from San Diego transfer Justin DeCriscio on Sunday night.
DeCriscio, a rising senior, hit .302 this past spring with 12 doubles, two home runs and 41 RBI after starting all 49 games. He logged a .392 slugging percentage with a .366 on-base percentage and he swiped 10 bases. DeCriscio also had 18 strikeouts and 13 walks.
The Orange, Calif., native was an All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mention selection after the 2023 season. He hit .322 with nine doubles, a triple, three home runs and 19 RBI in 44 starts during his sophomore campaign. DeCriscio stole 13 bases that season with a .437 slugging percentage.
While DeCriscio is a capable hitter, he is also a reliable infielder. The shortstop posted a career-best .955 fielding percentage this past season, and he holds a .947 fielding mark in three seasons at San Diego.
That piece of DeCriscio’s game will be important has he is set to replace Butterworth, who was a smooth fielding shortstop that coach Elliott Avent raved about being among the best NC State has had in his tenure.
Although DeCriscio is listed as a shortstop, he also has collegiate experience at second and third base as well. That versatile skill set is similar to other infielders that NC State has landed in the transfer portal this offseason, including Ole Miss utility transfer Trenton Lyons.
DeCriscio is the seventh Division I transfer to commit to the Wolfpack this cycle. He joins Vanderbilt first baseman Matt Ossenfort, UNC Greensboro right handed pitcher Julien Peissel, Georgia Tech third baseman Ryan Jaros, Campbell outfielder Dalen Thompson and Lyons in the portal class.
As a high school recruit, DeCriscio was the 30th-best shortstop in California’s Class of 2021. He helped Orange Lutheran High School to a No. 1 national ranking for three consecutive seasons as well.
