Knowing the Newcomers
The Tar Heels welcome 16 new players to the roster
Featuring four impact transfers and some intriguing freshmen who should be ready to contribute as early as this season, North Carolina’s Class of 2021 was recently ranked by D1Baseball as the No. 22 recruiting class in the country.
Ahead of the Tar Heels’ season opener against Seton Hall on Friday, here’s a look at all 16 newcomers.
Nick Argento
A right-handed pitcher from Wayzata, Minnesota, Argento didn’t possess any college offers entering his junior year at Wayzata High School. But shortly after topping out at 90 mph at a showcase in October 2019, he received his first and ultimately committed to the Tar Heels the summer before his senior year.
Perfect Game ranked Argento as the No. 7 overall player and No. 3 right-handed pitcher in Minnesota in 2021. As a senior, he posted a 1.66 ERA in 25 1/3 innings to earn first-team all-state honors and lead Wayzata to the state sectional semifinals.
What they’re saying: “The projectable right-handed pitcher has a simple, clean delivery with an in-line finish and extension out front. Throws from a long 3/4 arm action with good arm speed. Fastball sat 87-90 mph with heavy, sink action and averaging spin of 2,256 rpm. Slider has 10/4 cut action and some depth, 80-81 mph, avg. spin of 2,124 rpm. Changeup has fade and sink action to his arm-side, thrown firm at 82-85 mph.” — Prep Baseball Report, Feb. 24, 2021
Connor Bovair
As a true freshman at Siena last season, Bovair notched a 5.34 ERA in 55 2/3 innings over 10 appearances (nine starts). A rough first outing in which he allowed seven runs in three innings made it difficult for him to lower his ERA over the course of the year, but the righty impressed with his ability to miss bats, striking out 75 and walking 20.
Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 64 transfer in college baseball, Bovair pairs a 91-95 mph fastball with a slider that induced a 48% whiff rate last season. He figures to step into a significant role on the Tar Heels’ pitching staff, whether that be as a long reliever or a starter.
What they’re saying: “Bovair’s best work arguably came against the best teams that he saw. Against Rider and Fairfield, the two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference teams that made the NCAA Tournament, he allowed three runs (two earned) in 13 innings with 15 strikeouts. Bovair’s stuff will already make him a candidate for a role at UNC right away, but if there’s more in the tank as he matures, the Tar Heels could have a real gem.” — Baseball America
Casey Cook
An infielder/outfielder out of Chantilly, Virginia, Cook – whose father, Jason, was an infielder at Virginia and was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 1993 – committed to UNC the summer before his sophomore year at Freedom High School. At Freedom, Cook made the All-Region 5C first team twice and the 2021 Rawlings-Perfect Game Preseason All-Atlantic Region first team.
Perfect Game ranked Cook as the No. 333 overall player in the Class of 2021 as well as the No. 9 overall player and No. 3 shortstop in Virginia. Since arriving in Chapel Hill, he’s played second base, left field and right field, and he could see extensive playing time as a utility player this spring.
What they’re saying: “Casey Cook has shown a lot of potential. He’s a left-handed hitter. It’s crazy, if you really slow down his swing on video, it’s very similar to Michael Busch as far as the mechanics of his swing. He’s got a ways to go to get that strong, but he’s a good hitter, he’s got wrist speed and he’s made every play at second base. We can play him in the outfield.” — Scott Forbes
Owen Flynn
Following in the footsteps of former Tar Heel pitcher Austin Bergner, Flynn comes to Chapel Hill from Windermere, Florida. The right-handed pitcher spent his first three years of high school at Windermere High before transferring to TNXL Academy in Ocoee, Florida, for his senior season, where he made the Rawlings-Perfect Game Preseason All-Florida Region second team in 2021.
The 6-foot-4, 187-pound Flynn was ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 363 overall player and No. 127 right-handed pitcher in the Class of 2021.
What they’re saying: “Large, athletic frame with square shoulders and long limbs, lots of room to fill throughout and develop physically moving forward. Righthanded pitcher, long and quick arm action through the back side and does a nice job of staying on line while working to a higher release point. Uses long levers well to generate extension out front, ball jumps out of hand when on time and topped out at 88 mph. Consistent life to fastball, big angle when locating to glove side and solid plane when on top. Can throw curveball more often, 11-5 shape to it up to 73 mph with depth, tends to slow arm prior to release, flashed a changeup at 79 mph. Projects very well with with high up as he adds strength to frame.” — Perfect Game showcase report, June 2019
Reece Holbrook
The son of former UNC player and assistant coach Chad Holbrook – who is entering his fifth season as the head coach at the College of Charleston – Reece Holbrook was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was 2 years old. Over the next three years, he underwent various treatments, and in 2017, he was declared cancer-free. The following year, he committed to the Tar Heels.
A four-year letterman at the Hammond School in Columbia, South Carolina, Reece Holbrook won two state titles and was named a three-time all-state selection. He also made the 2021 Rawlings-Perfect Game Preseason All-Atlantic Region first team.
Ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 244 overall player and No. 43 outfielder in 2021, he figures to see some action in the outfield this spring, but his main impact will likely come as a pinch-runner.
What they’re saying: “Medium athletic build with some physical projection remaining. 6.72 runner, moves well in the outfield, clean glove through the ball, short and compact arm action with improving arm strength and carry. Left handed hitter, hits from an open stance and tends to stay open, has quick hands with a mid field to pull side line drive approach, showed good bat speed and got some carry when he squared the ball up, creates good torque from his lower half and hits through the ball well.” — Perfect Game showcase report, June 2020
Vance Honeycutt
Following in the footsteps of his father, Bob, who played at UNC from 1988-89, and his mother, Leah Ann, who was a member of the track and field team, Honeycutt committed to UNC before his junior year at Salisbury (N.C.) High. At Salisbury, Honeycutt was multi-sport athlete who earned Player of the Year honors as a shortstop on the baseball team and as a quarterback on the football team.
Ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 17 overall player and No. 5 shortstop in North Carolina in 2021, Honeycutt has shown all offseason why the San Francisco Giants picked him in the 20th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He appears set to open this season at the Tar Heels’ starting center fielder and leadoff hitter.
What they’re saying: “Vance has stood out the most (among the freshmen) throughout the fall and the spring preseason. He’s a guy who even if he’s not bringing much that day offensively, he can change the game by getting on base and stealing second and stealing third and playing an unbelievable outfield. It is elite speed. If I’m not paying attention at third base when he's on second, he’ll be by me, and that hasn’t been the case too often. He has that really good closing speed.” — Forbes
Joe Jaconski
An infielder/outfielder from Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, Jaconski was just a high school freshman when he committed to UNC in October 2017. He was a three-year letterman at Plymouth Whitemarsh High, where he hit .464 with eight homers, 29 RBIs, 35 runs scored, 17 stolen bases and 27 walks en route to being named the Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media Baseball Player of the Year as a senior.
Perfect Game ranked Jaconski as the No. 497 overall player in the Class of 2021 as well as the No. 14 overall player and No. 1 shortstop in Pennsylvania. Since joining the Tar Heels, he’s primarily played right field and second base, and his bat could earn him a significant role, whether that be as a starter or a key piece off the bench.
What they’re saying: “… left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and uses a short, leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Gets on plane early and hands work extremely well through contact. Showed the ability to drive the baseball gap-to-gap with consistent back spin. Registered a bat exit velocity of 89 mph and ran a 7.14 60-yard dash. Showcased easy, fluid defensive actions with effortless 84 mph arm strength across the diamond. Makes plays on the move while consistently setting himself up for good hops.” — Prep Baseball Report, Feb. 23, 2020
Dylan King
King, from Delray Beach, Florida, was a high school sophomore when he committed to UNC in January 2019. A four-year letterman at American Heritage Delray, he won three district titles and one regional championship and made the 2021 Rawlings-Perfect Game Preseason All-Florida Region second team.
Ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 69 overall player and No. 6 catcher in Florida in the Class of 2021, King looks like he could catch a few innings behind the plate this season to help lessen Tomas Frick’s workload.
What they’re saying: “Long and lanky athletic build, has some present strength with more to come. 6.86 runner in the sixty, has athletic actions behind the plate, quick exchange and release, gets on top of his throws well, has the athleticism to play all over the field at the next level. Left handed hitter, hits from an open stance with a deep hand load, loose hands, gets the barrel into the zone on time well, some lift and turn out front that will continue to develop as he gets stronger. Projectable young player who will keep getting better.” — Perfect Game showcase report, June 2020
Alberto Osuna
After hitting .459/.530/.870 with 25 homers and 107 RBIs en route to National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Player of the Year honors, Osuna arrived at UNC with almost unrealistic expectations. But so far, the Walters State transfer has met them in every way.
Using a short, compact swing, the 6-foot-1, 240-pound slugger produces high exit velocities and tape-measure homers with relative ease. Osuna figures to split time between first base and designated hitter, and as a middle-of-the-order bat, he’ll have every opportunity to live up to his billing as D1Baseball’s No. 2 impact JUCO transfer in 2022.
What they’re saying: “Osuna has a physically imposing presence with a 6-foot-1, 240-pound frame that evokes former UNC star Aaron Sabato. With a short stride, a wide base, a low hands setup and a minimal load, Osuna has a direct path to the ball and can drive it with authority to all fields, showing home run power to the opposite field as well as the pull side in BP.” — D1Baseball
Shaddon Peavyhouse
Peavyhouse started out as a two-way player at Coastal Carolina in 2018, but between the 2019 and 2020 seasons, he only pitched 11 innings due to Tommy John surgery and the pandemic. Finally able to play a full season again in 2021, the righty notched a 3.61 ERA in 47 1/3 innings over 20 games (four starts). That included a relief appearance in the Chanticleers’ visit to Boshamer Stadium last April, when he allowed one run over 1 2/3 innings, striking out one and walking two.
Working from a high three-quarters delivery, Peavyhouse pairs a fastball that tops out at 94 mph with a slider that’s capable of inducing lots of whiffs. He struggled with his command at times this offseason, but will open the season as the Sunday starter.
What they’re saying: “He’s just now starting to scratch the surface, even though he’s a little bit older age-wise, of what he can be as a pitcher. He’s more of a new pitcher. He can start, which he’s proven at a great program. But he also can pitch out of the bullpen because he’s done that.” — Forbes
Dalton Pence
A left-handed pitcher from Cherryville, North Carolina, Pence committed to the Tar Heels before his junior year at Cherryville High. A four-year letterman at Cherryville, he earned all-state honors as a senior, going 4-0 with a 1.50 ERA in 23 1/3 innings over five starts. Opposing batters hit just .139 against him.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Pence suffered a strained forearm and sprained ligament in June, which sidelined him until late November.
What they’re saying: “Located his fastball down in the zone to both sides of the plate at 88-91 mph. Fastball has occasional arm side run. Created swing and miss with an above average changeup. Changeup has run and sink at 80-82 mph. Breaking ball has depth with 1/7 shape at 72-74 mph. Easy tempo to his delivery starting with a small side step, hands work from the belt up to the chin with his leg kick working up to the bottom of his chest, in line to the plate, square toe landing, long arm action working to a high ¾ slot.” — Prep Baseball Report, Oct. 6, 2020
Alex Ritzer
An infielder from Stillwater, Minnesota, Ritzer committed to UNC during his junior year at Stillwater Area High. As a sophomore, he helped lead the team to a third-place finish at the state tournament, and as a senior, he earned all-state, all-conference, all-metro and all-section honors. He also made the Rawlings-Perfect Game Preseason All-Central Region second team in 2021.
Perfect Game ranked Ritzer as Minnesota’s No. 6 overall player and No. 1 shortstop in the Class of 2021.
What they’re saying: “The left-handed hitter sets up in a narrow stance with a hand load and short stride into a strong, repeatable line-drive swing. Uses his lower half well showing some ability to drive the ball to the opposite field. 88 mph exit velocity off the tee. In the infield, athletic actions with sure hands and clean transfers, showing the ability to throw on the run from multiple arm angles with lateral range. 6.79 runner in the 60.” — Prep Baseball Report, Feb. 24, 2021
Brandon Schaeffer
Schaeffer spent the last three seasons at WVU Potomac State, where he went 14-3 with a 1.68 ERA in 23 games (18 starts). He was especially good in 2021, recording a National Junior College Athletic Association-best 0.94 ERA with 79 strikeouts and only four walks in 47 2/3 innings.
Equipped with a strong three-pitch mix that includes an 88-92 mph fastball, an above average slider and a plus changeup, Schaeffer has done nothing but impress since he arrived on campus, so it comes as no surprise that he is opening the year as the Tar Heels’ Friday starter. Over three preseason starts, he surrendered one run on three hits and four walks in 13 innings, striking out 16.
What they’re saying: “He’s a lot like the Kent Emanuel type. I don’t want to put that expectation on him, but they’re very similar pitchers. They're going to give up some hits, they’re not going to be 94-95, but they’re going to throw a ton of strikes and have the potential to throw a complete game every time they go out there.” — Forbes
Alden Segui
A right-handed pitcher from Tampa, Florida, Segui committed to UNC the summer before his senior year at Jesuit High. A two-year letterman at Jesuit, he went 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA as a senior, striking out 48 batters in 25 2/3 innings. He also participated in the 2020 Perfect Game National Showcase.
Perfect Game ranked Segui as the No. 229 overall player in the Class of 2021 as well as the No. 32 player and No. 9 right-handed pitcher in Florida. Armed with a fastball that reaches 96 mph and pairs well with his slider and changeup, the 6-foot-2, 202-pounder figures to assume a significant role in the Tar Heels’ bullpen this season.
What they’re saying: “He’s had some tremendous outings for us so far. He could end up over the course of the season throwing some significant innings for us just because he’s like a Caden O’Brien – extremely competitive, almost like a bull in a china shop at times when he’s pitching. Good fastball, good slider. He’s got a chance to be really good for us.” — Bryant Gaines
Carson Starnes
A native of Monroe, North Carolina, Starnes committed to UNC in his junior year at Parkwood High. The righty compiled a 2.19 ERA in 32 innings in two varsity seasons at Parkwood, then spent his senior year at P27 Academy in Lexington, South Carolina. Across both stops, he earned all-region and honorable mention All-America accolades from Perfect Game.
Ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 30 overall player and No. 9 right-handed pitcher in North Carolina in the Class of 2021, Starnes missed most of the fall after arriving on campus with a knee cap injury. But equipped with a fastball that sits in the low 90s and a plus slider, he looks like he’ll pitch a fairly significant number of innings this season, likely out of the bullpen or as a midweek starter.
What they’re saying: “He’s got a really good breaking ball. He can throw it for a strike any time. And every time I saw Carson pitch in high school, he threw at least five innings, so I know he’s got the ability to go out there and do it.” — Gaines
Justin Szestowicki
A two-way player from Mount Royal, New Jersey, Szestowicki committed to the Tar Heels in his junior year at Kingsway High, where he was a four-year letterman and captured four conference championships. As a senior in 2021, he was named to the Rawlings-Perfect Game Preseason Northeast Region first team and the South Jersey Times All-Area team.
Perfect Game ranked Szestowicki as the No. 409 overall player in the Class of 2021 as well as the No. 9 overall player and No. 2 shortstop in New Jersey.
What they’re saying: “Broad shouldered, athletic at 5-foot-10 180-pounds. Possesses a fast arm and works quickly - 91-93 touching 95 and flashing a slurvy breaking ball at 73-76 with 11/5 depth.” — Prep Baseball Report, May 13, 2021