North Carolina State University Athletics
Photo by: Gregg Forwerck
Kalae Harrison Selected by Pittsburgh Pirates in 18th Round of 2023 MLB Draft
7/11/2023 5:20:00 PM | Baseball
Harrison Drafted No. 527 Overall on Tuesday, Marks Fourth Wolfpack Selection on Day 3
SEATTLE – NC State baseball shortstop Kalae Harrison was drafted in the 18th round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday afternoon. Harrison (No. 527 overall selection), who was the Wolfpack's fifth draftee and fourth selection on day three, becomes the seventh shortstop drafted out of NC State since 2014.
Harrison, who transferred to NC State from Texas A&M prior to the start of the 2023 season, was one of two Wolfpack players to start all 57 games this past season. The Kailua, Hawaii native started 31 games at second base and 26 games at shortstop in his first season in Raleigh.
Harrison led NC State with 37 walks, three triples and five sacrifice bunts in 2023. He also ranked second on the roster with 61 hits and tied for second with 42 runs scored. His .313 batting average ranked third on the team, smacking 10 doubles, three triples, two homers and 31 RBI on the season.
The left-handed batter registered 15 multi-hit games and 10 multi-RBI games, smacking a career-high four hits and tying a career-high with three runs scored in a win over Pittsburgh on May 19. Harrison followed up his performance against the Panthers with two doubles in the Pack's ACC Tournament victory over Duke on May 23.
In the field, Harrison sported a .981 fielding percentage, committing only four errors and helping turn 25 double plays on 216 total defensive chances.
Harrison's selection marks the 127th player selected in the MLB Draft under NC State head coach Elliott Avent. He's the 11th position player drafted from NC State since 2020 and the 29th in the past 10 years.
Harrison joins NC State teammates LuJames Groover III, Carter Trice, Rio Britton and Justin Lawson as the Wolfpack's five selections in the 2023 MLB Draft. Groover III heard his name called in the second round of the draft on Sunday, going No. 48 overall to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Trice (Cubs, 12-356), Britton (Diamondbacks, 15-445) and Lawson (Mets, 15-456) were all selected earlier on Tuesday afternoon.
NC State's five draft selections in the 2023 MLB Draft marks the sixth time since 2014 the Wolfpack has had at least five players selected in a single draft.
Harrison, who transferred to NC State from Texas A&M prior to the start of the 2023 season, was one of two Wolfpack players to start all 57 games this past season. The Kailua, Hawaii native started 31 games at second base and 26 games at shortstop in his first season in Raleigh.
Harrison led NC State with 37 walks, three triples and five sacrifice bunts in 2023. He also ranked second on the roster with 61 hits and tied for second with 42 runs scored. His .313 batting average ranked third on the team, smacking 10 doubles, three triples, two homers and 31 RBI on the season.
The left-handed batter registered 15 multi-hit games and 10 multi-RBI games, smacking a career-high four hits and tying a career-high with three runs scored in a win over Pittsburgh on May 19. Harrison followed up his performance against the Panthers with two doubles in the Pack's ACC Tournament victory over Duke on May 23.
In the field, Harrison sported a .981 fielding percentage, committing only four errors and helping turn 25 double plays on 216 total defensive chances.
Harrison's selection marks the 127th player selected in the MLB Draft under NC State head coach Elliott Avent. He's the 11th position player drafted from NC State since 2020 and the 29th in the past 10 years.
Harrison joins NC State teammates LuJames Groover III, Carter Trice, Rio Britton and Justin Lawson as the Wolfpack's five selections in the 2023 MLB Draft. Groover III heard his name called in the second round of the draft on Sunday, going No. 48 overall to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Trice (Cubs, 12-356), Britton (Diamondbacks, 15-445) and Lawson (Mets, 15-456) were all selected earlier on Tuesday afternoon.
NC State's five draft selections in the 2023 MLB Draft marks the sixth time since 2014 the Wolfpack has had at least five players selected in a single draft.
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