UNC Baseball: Alex Madera will return for the 2025 season
The UNC baseball program lost a lot of talent during this year's MLB Draft process but got some good news this week regarding next season's roster.
There is good news for the @DiamondHeels, with second baseman Alex Madera returning to UNC for his 5th college season. He'll join first baseman Hunter Stokely & some former MLB stars on Saturday night when the Home Run Derby X tour comes to the DBAP. #UNC https://t.co/ZfM5F0SMjW
— Tar Heel Tribune (@Tar_HeelTribune) September 4, 2024
First reported by the Tar Heel Tribune, second baseman Alex Madera will return for the 2025 season, utilizing his fifth season of college eligibility. He'll look to add stability to what will be a new-look lineup for Scott Forbes' squad.
Madera was one of the transfer portal additions for the UNC baseball program a season ago. A former Division III standout, Madera seamlessly made the transition to the Division I level, putting together a very successful season in the Carolina Blue.
Overall, Madera posted a .303 batting average along with two home runs, 34 RBI and nine stolen bases. He also showed great discipline at the plate, drawing the same amount of walks (43) to the amoung of times he struck out (43). To add to his offensive success, Madera was one of the best defensive second baseman in the country.
With Madera's return, the UNC baseball program has some key returners that will be part of next season's lineup. Key offensive contributors like Luke Stevenson, Gavin Gallaher, Jackson Van De Brake and Hunter Stokley are all projected to return, giving the Diamond Heels a notable veteran presence throughout the team's lineup.
We'll wait and see how it all shakes out, but it's great to see Madera returning to the mix. His versatility offensively could land him essentially anywhere in the lineup, providing Forbes with plenty of different ways to manuever his everyday lineup this spring.
feed