# 35 Adam Smith
Shortstop/Right-Handed Pitcher
Sophomore
6-1, 172 lbs
West Chester, PA

Two-way player Adam Smith enters the 2020 campaign with high hopes as a relief arm and a good defensive SS, but hasn't yet proven to be an effective hitter at the D-I level. In his freshman season for UNCW, Smith made 9 appearances out of the bullpen and posted an impressive 1.64 ERA, with 11 K's in 9.0 innings. However, at the plate he batted just .133 (4-30) with 1 stolen base.

During the 2019 Summer, Smith played for the Upper Valley Nighthawks out of the NECBL and received a lot of playing time. His numbers improved slightly at the plate, as he hit .195 (15-77) with 8 RBI and 3 SB. He also continued to shine on the mound, making 9 appearances and posted a 3-0 record, 1.20 ERA, and 14 K's in 15.0 innings.

With Greg Jones gone, there's a bit of a void at SS, and the hopes are that Smith might be a candidate in 2020 to help fill that gap. As just a sophomore, there is plenty of time for him to prove himself. But if he cannot improve significantly at the plate, there is still great optimism for how he'll do as a middle relief option.

I think Smith has a real chance to be really good and see him more as a closer than a middle relief guy. He is the best middle infielder and to take him out of the field is a big deal but its also the same thing as a closer-so who knows.

(01-08-2020 11:54 AM)jumpinmullet Wrote:  I think Smith has a real chance to be really good and see him more as a closer than a middle relief guy. He is the best middle infielder and to take him out of the field is a big deal but its also the same thing as a closer-so who knows.

I could see that. I imagine its Henry Ryan's job to lose at least to start the season, but he doesn't exactly have a firm grasp on the job.

At the very least, Smith could well end up the 8th inning guy to begin the season.

# 34 Henry Ryan
Right-handed Pitcher
Senior
6-5, 234 lbs
Charlotte, NC

Ryan enters the 2020 season as the unquestioned closer despite some struggles in his junior season. That's because Ryan is a big, imposing righty who powers through the zone with a mid-90s fastball, making him a prototypical closer.

In 2018, Ryan emerged onto the scene for the Seahawks, going 3-0 with a 1.17 ERA in 17 appearances, striking out 23 in 24.1 innings. Opposing batters hit just .145 against him. Henry became a key cog in the bullpen by the time the Hawks were entering postseason play. He collected one of his wins against ECU in the NCAA Tournament, which knocked the Pirates out of their own Regional in Greenville. But when handed the Closer role all to himself in 2019, Ryan's ERA ballooned to 4.06, with his BAA going up to .218. He did pick up the first 3 Saves of his career, but it was certainly a disappoint campaign coming off his terrific sophomore season.

If Ryan can recapture the magic of his sophomore campaign, he could not only help the Hawks go deep into the postseason, he should also find himself a hot commodity in the 2020 draft next Summer.

New unis! I hope they still keep the yellow jersey.
https://twitter.com/UNCWBaseball/status/...6170466305

(01-09-2020 02:49 PM)CaliGlowin Wrote:  New unis! I hope they still keep the yellow jersey.
https://twitter.com/UNCWBaseball/status/...6170466305

I like the white ones a lot. Maybe i'm old school but i favor the full button up vs the pull over

I like the white uni also. There's just something about the home whites.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Are they going to wear gray pants too?
Unless I've missed it, they've only worn white for quite some time.

(01-09-2020 03:57 PM)SEA33HAWK Wrote:  Are they going to wear gray pants too?
Unless I've missed it, they've only worn white for quite some time.

They wore all gray in Chapel Hill during the regular season. Also wore all gray against Kennesaw State and some other games as well. Wore gray pants most of the road games last season.

# 33 Breydan Gorham
Right-handed Pitcher
Redshirt Senior
6-2, 174 lbs
Burlington, NC

A transfer from Appalachian State in 2017, Gorham is a solid veteran bullpen option and spot starter for the Seahawks entering his final season. In 2019 he made 17 appearances, including 1 start, posting a 1-1 record, 4.58 ERA and 31 K's in 37.1 innings. He also allowed hitters to bat just .205 against him.

# 31 Aidan Smith
Outfielder
Freshman
5-10, 184 lbs
Hampstead, NC

Smith, a local product from Topsail High, hit .306 and posted a .432 OBP in his senior season, earning Pender County Player of the Year honors in the process. Per Perfect Game, he was the # 8 Outfielder in the state from the 2019 class, and # 367 nationally. He was named an All-Atlantic Region All-American.

Though he did perform well as a pitcher and sported an 81 MPH fastball, Smith only projects as an Outfielder at the next level. He may start fairly low on the depth chart in 2020 but can work his way up quickly and be a factor no later than his junior season.

(01-11-2020 04:03 AM)Seahawk Nation 08 Wrote:  
# 31 Aidan Smith
Outfielder
Freshman
5-10, 184 lbs
Hampstead, NC

Smith, a local product from Topsail High, hit .306 and posted a .432 OBP in his senior season, earning Pender County Player of the Year honors in the process. Per Perfect Game, he was the # 8 Outfielder in the state from the 2019 class, and # 367 nationally. He was named an All-Atlantic Region All-American.

Though he did perform well as a pitcher and sported an 81 MPH fastball, Smith only projects as an Outfielder at the next level. He may start fairly low on the depth chart in 2020 but can work his way up quickly and be a factor no later than his junior season.

I saw him in HS plenty and he has a lot of work ahead of him to play at this level. He can run a little bit and that is his best asset.

(01-11-2020 10:18 AM)jumpinmullet Wrote:  I saw him in HS plenty and he has a lot of work ahead of him to play at this level. He can run a little bit and that is his best asset.

Speed is a skill that never takes a day off. Something to build on for sure.

# 29 Brody Lawson
Right-handed Pitcher
Redshirt Sophomore
6-4, 208 lbs
Kernersville, NC

Lawson redshirted in 2018 and immediately made an impact as a redshirt freshman in 2019. He made 9 appearances and 7 starts, going 3-1 with a 4.78 ERA on the season, striking out 43 in 37.2 innings and allowing hitters to bat .225 against him. On March 25th, he earned CAA Rookie of the Week honors after pitching 7.1 innings in an 8-4 win over Towson.

Unfortunately, Lawson suffered an arm injury that cost him the 2nd half of the 2019 campaign. Assuming he is able to put together a healthy 2020 campaign, he projects to be a key midweek starting option with a bright future ahead of him.

# 28 Matt Yip
Catcher
Freshman
6-0, 185 lbs
Williston Park, NY

Yip arrives to campus at a great time for the Seahawks, as the # 2 Catching job is up for grabs right away for the freshman. The Seahawks have had a long history of solid Catchers come through their program, but 2019 represented one of the few seasons where UNCW had question marks at the position. Yip could be the next in a long line of successful players to man the backstop for the Hawks.

Yip hit .428 with 7 HR and 30 RBI his Senior year at Herrick High School on Long Island, where he also played some Third Base. He also earned All-State second team honors in his junior season. Perfect Game ranked Yip the # 5 Catcher in the state of NY in the 2019 class, and also ranked him the # 277 Catcher in the country.

Kep Brown has retired from baseball.

(01-13-2020 12:15 PM)seahawk1 Wrote:  Kep Brown has retired from baseball.

That sucks. A lot. I wish him the best.

I don't know if you guys saw this ...

College Baseball 365 and New England Baseball writer Stu Murray had Randy Hood on his podcast to talk about the team and the upcoming season.

There's also one with Mike Galvine as well ...

Here's Hood ...

https://soundcloud.com/user-259615715/randy-hood

# 27 Broadus Roberson
Outfielder
Sophomore
6-3, 206 lbs
Charlotte, NC

As a freshman, Roberson was pressed into duty 31 times over the course of the season, several times as a Pinch Runner or late-game defensive replacement. Broadus, a big, talented athlete who also played football and basketball and Charlotte Country Day, showed some potential at the plate in hitting .194 (7-36) with 1 HR, 3 RBI, and 1 SB. He flashed power when he hit his first collegiate homer against Memphis, and added a double over the course of the season to slug .306. He also showed good discipline at the plate, drawing 9 walks and finishing with a .370 OBP. He did, however, strike out 18 times.

In 2020, Roberson once again projects to be a valuable bench option for Coach Hood, with upside.

# 26 Mike Picollo
Right-Handed Pitcher
Redshirt Freshman
6-3, 209 lbs
Leawood, Kansas

Picollo turned down the MLB for the chance to have a collegiate career with the Seahawks. In 2018, he was drafted in the 33rd round by the Mets, but did not sign. After redshirting in 2019, not only does Picollo begin his collegiate career with a draft pedigree behind him, he also has terrific bloodlines. His father, John Picollo, who played college baseball at NC State and George Mason, played in the Yankees farm system and is now the Assistant General Manager for the Royals. His Mom ran track at George Mason, and his grandfather played baseball at La Salle.

Thus, Picollo comes with high expectations as a potential weekend starting option down the road. At the 6A level in eastern Kansas, Picollo posted a 2.16 ERA and struck out 34 batters in 35.2 innings his senior season. Over 3 years his High School ERA was 2.67. According to Perfect Game, Picollo was the # 4 right-hander in the state of Kansas among the 2018 class, and the # 13 prospect in the state overall. His fastball velocity was clocked at 87 MPH on June 30, 2017. 2 and a half years later, one can assume he might just be throwing even harder.

In 2020, Picollo could very well start earning some midweek starts if he acquits himself well in practice. His upside is huge, and with Luke Gesell a senior and Zarion Sharpe a strong possibility to leave in the draft, 2021 there could be an opportunity for him to jump into the weekend starter mix depending on how well he performs in 2020.