Three ECU baseball alumni among top MLB names to know for 2025

by | Mar 20, 2025

USA Today Sports’ annual list of 100 Names to Know in Major League Baseball has three players who are East Carolina University alumni.

Miami Marlins third baseman Connor Norby, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage and San Francisco Giants pitcher Carson Whisenhunt made the list and are just three of those that USA Today believes will “sparkle on the diamond.”

About Norby, the paper states, “He’s got power (70 minor-league homers with an .860 OPS), will have a long leash and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him as Miami’s All-Star representative.”

About Whisenhunt, the paper states, “Was knocked around in Class AAA (5.93 ERA in 25 starts) last season and is somewhat buried in San Francisco’s depth chart, but the lefty should make it to the majors at some point in 2025.”

About Yesavage, “Yesavage, 21, has yet to make his professional debut, but he should be quick to the majors.”

Click here to read more about Yesavage, Norby and Whisenhunt along with the others who made the team.

Photo credit: (ECU Sports Information photo)

Check out Pirate Radio

Website | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube

Top Headlines

PRL Wednesday: Jam-packed midweek show led by Blake Harrell

Wednesday's "Pirate Radio Live" has more guests than you can shake a stick at. Clip and Chandler have a lot of territory to cover on the eve of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. They'll cover that, ECU baseball's game with UNC Wilmington on Tuesday and much more....

Pirates drop 9-4 decision to Seahawks

UNC Wilmington scored seven runs after trailing early then held on for a 9-4 victory over East Carolina on Tuesday in a game played in Fayetteville's Segra Stadium. The Pirates (12-9) look to bounce back starting Friday when they open AAC play at home against Memphis....

Pirates hold off N.C. Central for 14-10 softball victory

The East Carolina softball team scored runs in bunches and then held on for a 14-10 victory over N.C. Central on Tuesday at Max R. Joyner Family Stadium. The win puts the Pirates at 17-10 overall going into a weekend series at South Florida. Below is a full report...

ECU meets UNCW Tuesday in Fayetteville

The East Carolina baseball team is back in Fayetteville and will take on UNC Wilmington on Tuesday evening. Below is a preview from ECU Sports Information. Videos are from Pirate Radio. Check out Pirate Radio Website | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram |...

The Parker Byrd Show: Motivational speaker Inky Johnson

The newest episode of "The Parker Byrd Show" gives us a chance to get to know motivational speaker Inky Johnson. Johnson was in Greenville over the weekend as part of Pirate Radio's motivational weekend. He spoke with the ECU baseball team and others who attended an...

Jeff Hoffman gets hold, strikes out three

ECU alum Jeff Hoffman had another solid outing for the Toronto Blue Jays in Monday’s 6-5 win over the New York Yankees. Hoffman came on in the fourth inning and got a strikeout to end the inning. In the fifth, he gave up a hit and walk but got all three outs via...

Former Texas coach taking over duties at Rice

A familiar face is now leading the Rice baseball program. BREAKING: @RiceBaseball is hiring former long-time #Rice assistant and @TexasBaseball head coach David Pierce as its new head coach, sources tell @d1baseball. Pierce most recently spent eight seasons at Texas,...