The start of the 2025 college baseball season is just a few days away, as D1 Baseball released its annual preseason positional rankings.
As expected, the UNC baseball program is well-represented among the rankings.
Time to back up the hype.#GoHeels pic.twitter.com/xAchUkcoDM
— Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) February 11, 2025
A total of 11 Diamond Heels earned a ranking, six of which are pitchers. Of the 11 ranked players, 10 are among the top 100 players at their respective positions, showing the talent this year's team possesses.
To no surprise, Luke Stevenson and Matthew Matthijs are the highest-ranked Tar Heels. Stevenson is regarded as the No. 3-ranked catcher in the country, while Matthijs, who is expected to be the UNC baseball program's closer this season, is regarded as the third-best relief pitcher that the nation has to offer.
Sophomore right-hander Jason DeCaro, the expected Friday starter for the Diamond Heels, comes in with a top-five ranking, being tabbed as the fifth-best starting pitcher. Third baseman Gavin Gallaher rounded out the top-10 at the hot corner as he looks to build off a strong freshman campaign.
Two newcomers earned their way onto the list, as the duo of Kane Kepley and Tyson Bass will look to help fill the void of Vance Honeycutt and Casey Cook, both of whom were selected in the 2024 MLB Draft.
One thing is definitely for sure: the Diamond Heels are expected to have a loaded pitching staff to go along with a very experienced (and talented) core of positional players.
Diamond Heels fans won't have to wait much longer to see this group in action as they are scheduled to open up the 2025 season on February 14 against Texas Tech at Boshamer Stadium.