Tar Heel Times

Macon Winslow's first professional home run was an absolute no-doubter

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 13:54:00 -0400

Macon Winslow, the 6th round pick of the Phillies, showed what he can do with the bat when fully healthy. The former Tar Heel crushed a 406-foot homer, a three-run shot. Winslow might not have been around Chapel Hill for long, but his impact on the Diamond Heels was very important. He played a big role in helping UNC get to the College World Series.

Minor League Baseball returns to the Field of Dreams, as does former Tar Heel infielder Aaron Sabato

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 19:31:00 -0400

For Saint Paul Saints player and former UNC first baseman Aaron Sabato, it is a return trip. Sabato previously played at the Field of Dreams in 2022 as a member of the Cedar Rapids Kernels. “I mean, it kind of puts stuff into perspective of how much the game brings people together and how much you can give back to the community,” Sabato said. “

Minor league baseball update: Cameron Padgett, Kane Kepley, Vance Honeycutt, Austin Love

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:40:00 -0400

Double-A hasn’t proven to be a problem for Cubs prospect Kane Kepley so far. In his first three games, Kepley went 3-for-9 with a .600 on-base percentage. It’s been a tough health year for Orioles prospect Vance Honeycutt. He’s been out since July 14 with a left oblique strain. Austin Love has experienced some struggles since being promoted to Triple A.

Newsletter: Cameron Fens Fills Out UNC Basketball Roster, Football Position Battles Heat Up

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 09:47:00 -0400

UNC Basketball's frontcourt search concludes as Cameron Fens committed Friday, and Michael Malone's roster is now full for 2026-27. Football's preseason camp hit its second week, with pads coming on and the QB race heating up. Women's Basketball's non-conference schedule is out. And Diamond Heels are off to strong minor-league starts.

Mariners' Minor Leaguer Luke Stevenson Named Northwest League Player of the Month

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 21:19:00 -0400

Tar Heel fans know just how good a hitter Luke Stevenson is. Stevenson starred at UNC before taking his talents to the pros, being selected by Seattle in the Competitive Balance Round A (35th overall pick) in the 2025 MLB Draft. Competing for the Everett AquaSox, the Mariners High-A affiliate, Stevenson has been on an absolute tear at the plate.

How Andrew Miller went from Cleveland’s October fireman to a voice shaping baseball’s labor future

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 08:02:00 -0400

The thing Andrew Miller remembers now is not the noise, though there was plenty of that. It is not one particular strikeout, though there were 30 of them in the 2016 postseason, more than any reliever in major league history. It is not even the AL Championship Series MVP trophy, though that remains one of the rarest honors ever claimed by a bullpen arm.

Former UNC pitcher Cameron Padgett signs with Red Sox

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:56:00 -0400

Former East Rowan and UNC right-hander Cameron Padgett has signed a free agent contract with the Boston Red Sox. Padgett, a 6-foot-3 22-year-old, was scouted while he was pitching for the West Virginia Black Bears in the MLB Draft League. Padgett joined the Black Bears in early July and got his first win for the team on July 30, pitching five innings.

Kane Kepley promoted to Double-A in Chicago Cubs' farm system

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:55:00 -0400

Kane Kepley is one step closer to fulfilling his lifelong dream of playing in the big leagues. After impressing in High-A, the former Tar Heel center fielder is now set to take on the next challenge of his professional baseball career. The Chicago Cubs believe he is ready for promotion to AA, putting him one step closer to calling Wrigley Field his future home.

Former UNC Outfielder Skye Bolt Added to UNCG Baseball Coaching Staff

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 17:06:00 -0400

UNC Greensboro (UNCG) baseball Coach Cody Ellis has announced the hiring of Skye Bolt to his coaching staff. Bolt joins the Spartans as an assistant coach, bringing Major League Baseball experience and a strong background in hitting instruction, player development, and mentorship. Prior to his professional career, Bolt was a standout at UNC.

Former Tar Heel outfielder Owen Hull crushes his first home run of his professional career

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 18:06:00 -0400

Owen Hull has wasted no time getting going offensively to start his professional baseball career. The former Tar Heel outfielder put together an outstanding pro debut weekend for the Greenville Drive, recording five hits over his first 10 at-bats. He had two doubles and drove in four RBIs. Hull wasn't satisfied with one good weekend at the plate.

Reese Brantmeier, Jason DeCaro, Ryleigh Heck Earn UNC’s 2026 Patterson Medals

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 12:26:00 -0400

Two NCAA champions and a hard-throwing All-America ace on two College World Series teams are the winners of the 2026 Patterson Medals, UNC's most prestigious honor for athletics excellence. Women's tennis NCAA champion Reese Brantmeier, field hockey national champion Ryleigh Heck, and right-handed pitcher Jason DeCaro are this year's recipients.

Red Sox top two draft selections pick up where they left off at UNC in debut weekend

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:44:00 -0400

Jake Schaffner and Owen Hull barely let their Tar Heels touch the ground before making an immediate impact in the Red Sox system. Boston’s top two draft picks, both UNC products, joined High-A Greenville (S.C.) this weekend for their professional debuts. And the tandem jump-started the offense en route to big wins over Asheville at McCormick Field.

Newsletter: UNC Basketball Explores Wild New Portal Window, Football Opens Camp Amid Investigation

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 09:01:00 -0400

UNC Football kicked off training camp this past week, but the headlines weren’t about touchdowns. Basketball had its own bombshell: a court ruling reopened eligibility for a whole class of players, and Michael Malone wasted no time chasing two experienced transfers. Plus, the latest on UNC Baseball, Women's Basketball, and more.

Former UNC baseball All-American Scott Bradley let go as Princeton head coach after 28 seasons

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:32:00 -0400

Former Seattle Mariners catcher Scott Bradley was let go by Princeton University after serving as head coach of the Tigers for 28 years. While this year's version of the Tigers went just 15-27, Bradley won seven Ivy League titles and made seven different trips to the NCAA Tournament. As a player, Bradley spent parts of nine seasons in the big leagues.

UNC, N.C. State Baseball to Renew 'Battle at the DBAP' This Fall

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 18:36:00 -0400

UNC Baseball and NC State will meet again this fall in an exhibition game at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Oct. 16. The 2026 matchup marks the second straight year the Tar Heels and Wolfpack meet for a fall exhibition in the Bull City after the rivals squared off in the inaugural “Battle at the DBAP” on Oct. 16, 2025 with North Carolina claiming a 3-1 win.

What will Jake Schaffner, Owen Hull bring to Red Sox? UNC coach offers insight

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:07:00 -0400

With the 20th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Red Sox selected UNC shortstop Jake Schaffner. They followed that up by picking Schaffner's teammate and close friend, outfielder Owen Hull, at No. 67. We wanted to learn more about what Boston's top two selections will bring to the organization, so we chatted with UNC Baseball coach Scott Forbes.

Video: This Week in UNC Baseball with Scott Forbes - No Rest as UNC's Quest Continues

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:52:00 -0400

UNC Baseball coach Scott Forbes joins Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley and Grace Nugent to discuss the 2026 season, the chaotic weeks since the College World Series ended, the recruiting plan to restock the Tar Heel roster, the joy watching players chase their professional dreams, and more.

For Michael Busch, stronger plate discipline has come with an interesting tradeoff

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:03:00 -0400

After a 34-homer season in 2025 while mostly serving as a platoon bat for the Chicago Cubs, Michael Busch appeared to be on the verge of establishing himself as one of MLB’s premier first basemen -- a key cog in a lineup vying for its second straight postseason appearance. However, he’s gone about his production in a very different way than in 2025.

Andrew Miller changed how bullpens were used after 2016. It started with a bold trade by the Indians

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:41:00 -0400

There’s a moment every baseball season when you know a team means business. For the 2016 Indians, that moment arrived when the front office shipped four promising prospects to the Yankees in exchange for reliever Andrew Miller. It wasn’t just a bold move — it turned out to be a seismic shift that would reshape the way baseball is played.

Everything you need to know from UNC sports this summer

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:51:00 -0400

While the crowds departed Chapel Hill in May, the headlines didn’t. From deep tournament runs to historic draft success, North Carolina athletics delivered memorable moments all summer long. Here’s a recap of everything you missed in UNC athletics after the spring semester wrapped up. In May, UNC’s spring sports teams took on the postseason.