The Top Dog, #1 in 2024 preseason KnupSports poll is the Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Head Coach Tom Walker enters his 15th season with an overall record of 420 wins and 339 losses at Wake Forest. In 2023, they were 54-12 overall and 22-7 in conference.
There is a good nucleus of players returning in 2024 with first baseman Nick Kurtz. He could be a Top 3 pick in the next draft. The first-team All-ACC selection hit .353/.527/.784 with 10 doubles, 24 home runs and 69 RBIs. On top of his ability with the bat, Kurtz is also a very good defender.
Returning for his sophomore season is shortstop Marek Houston is a smooth defender with an average bat during his first collegiate season. On the hill, left hander Josh Hartle returns for an 11-2 season and a 2.59 ERA. He is a strike thrower that will be the top starter for coach Walker.
Right hasnder and a junior is Michael Massey who was 3-1 with a 2.59 ERA. He will be part of the rotation after spending time in the bullpen. He is a fastball pitcher with a wicked slider. His changeup is under development.
Wake Forest also had a few big-time wins in the transfer portal. The big time pitcher from Tennessee is righthander Chase Burns(5-3, 4.25 ERA). He is one of the best arms in the country and is possibly the first pitcher to be selected in the draft.They also added Seaver King, a D2 player from Wingate. He is a an exceptional center fielder. He hit .411 last season.
. ERA). That is a lot of firepower and production to replace, but this Wake Forest team has the personnel to try and do so.Also, they picked up Add\am Tellier. A transfer from Ball State whobatted ,317 and much experience anywhere on the diamond.
Player to know: Keep an eye on Ball State transfer Adam Tellier (.317/.394/.515). He is a career .314/.395/.465 hitter and brings loads of experience to this year’s club. Tellier is a wiry athlete who can play all over the diamond, but expect him to hold down the hot corner this spring. He can run, has a solid feel for the barrel and has recently started to impact the ball better. He will be able to impact the game in a number of ways, and his fingerprints are sure to be all over the box score game in and game out.
There isn’t any outcome except a scenario in which Wake Forest is not playing for a national championship.
ALL pickups include:
Pos. Name Year AVG OBP SLG AB HR RBI
C Tate Ballestero R-Sr. Transfer—St. John’s
1B Nick Kurtz Jr. .353 .527 .784 190 24 69
2B Austin Hawke So. Transfer—North Carolina
3B Adam Tellier R-Sr. Transfer—Ball State
SS Marek Houston So. .220 .328 .307 218 4 29
OF Chris Katz So. .206 .346 .413 63 3 16
OF Seaver King Jr. Transfer—Wingate (N.C.)
OF Jack Reinisch Sr. .178 .308 .192 73 0 9
DH Cam Gill R-Sr. Transfer—Wofford
Pos. Name Class W L ERA IP SO SV
SP Josh Hartle Jr. 11 2 2.81 102 140 0
SP Chase Burns Jr. Transfer—Tennessee
SP Michael Massey Jr. 3 1 2.59 42 76 1
RP Cole Roland R-Sr. 2 1 2.05 31 54 2
RP David Falco Jr. R-Sr. Transfer—Maryland
RP Blake Morningstar Fr. HS—Wyalusing, Pa.
