Some history was inevitable on Thursday night: both Carlos Rodon and Trea Turner were expected to be drafted in the first 15 picks of the MLB Draft, meaning that one of them would be the highest drafted player in NC State baseball history. That turned out to be Rodon, who was passed over by the Astros and Marlins and taken third overall by the Chicago White Sox.
#WOLFOUT! Real men wear black. @CarlosRodon16 headed to @WhiteSox, highest-drafted player in #Pack9 history: pic.twitter.com/xjod41nIeM
— NC State Baseball (@NCStateBaseball) June 5, 2014
Carlos Rodon got drafted by the White Sox. NC State is my favorite thing, but the White Sox are not far behind. If you will all excuse me for a second...
Nope, not done.
Okay. I'm ready to come back. Just did not see this happening.
And there is good reason for you, Rodon fans but otherwise impartial observers, to appreciate his landing with the White Sox. The Sox have several minor league affiliates in North Carolina--an A-ball team in Kannapolis, an A-ball team in Winston-Salem, and a AAA-team in Charlotte. So there's a pretty good chance you'll still be able to watch a Rodon start without having to travel far.
Trea Turner was the second Wolfpack player taken in the first round, and he'll be taking his plus speed to San Diego. Turner might be the best position-player prospect that State's ever had. His wheels could make him a prolific base stealer, he has the gap power to be an above-average hitter at shortstop, and his glove is not bad either.