A Historic Draft Day for the Wolfpack
The 2026 MLB Draft opened with a double celebration for NC State baseball, as the Baltimore Orioles selected outfielder Ty Head in the second round and the Athletics chose pitcher Jacob Dudan in the third. The selections not only underscore the program’s growing pipeline of talent but also place the Wolfpack among the schools producing the most impactful prospects this year.
Head, who capped his college career by starting every one of the 56 games in center field without committing an error, finished the season with a .291 batting average, 14 home runs and 26 stolen bases. His blend of power and speed made him the only Atlantic Coast Conference player to reach double‑digit homers while also stealing at least 20 bases, a rarity that helped him earn a spot on the College Baseball Foundation’s National Pitcher of the Year Watch List.
Head’s Place in Program History
The outfielder’s 57 walks this season moved him into second place all‑time in NC State’s record books, trailing only the legendary Patrick Bailey, who was drafted 13th overall in 2020. Head also became the 12th Wolfpack player ever chosen by the Orioles, a testament to the franchise’s continued interest in the program.
Beyond the numbers, Head’s defensive reliability was unmatched; he logged zero errors across 56 games, a feat that reinforced his reputation as a complete center‑field prospect. His 14 homers and 26 steals placed him among the most dynamic leadoff hitters in recent memory, a combination that should translate well to the professional game.
Dudan’s Resilient Pitching Journey
Right‑hander Jacob Dudan’s draft journey took a different turn. After a strong start to the season in which he posted a 4‑1 record, a 3.60 ERA and 62 strikeouts against just 12 walks over 50 innings, a torn ulnar collateral ligament forced him to miss the remainder of the campaign. Despite the injury, his performance earned him a place on the College Baseball Foundation’s National Pitcher of the Year Watch List.
Dudan’s career at NC State was defined by consistency, as he finished with a 4.01 ERA, a 10‑5 record and 11 saves across 128 innings. Opponents batted just .230 against him, underscoring his ability to keep hitters off balance. The Athletics recognized his potential by selecting him in the third round, marking only the fifth time a Wolfpack pitcher has been drafted by the club.
Both players now join a growing list of NC State alumni heading to the professional ranks, a trend that reflects the program’s strong development pipeline. Their selections not only highlight individual achievement but also reinforce the university’s reputation as a fertile ground for future MLB talent.