The Cary HS graduate posted a 40.9 K% over 9.1 IP for the Blue Devils in 2025
NC State picked up it’s second transfer portal commitment on Monday, adding rising SO RHP Collins Black from Duke.
Grateful for the opportunity and an incredible first year experience at Duke. Looking forward to continuing this journey at NC State and would like to thank Coach Avent, Coach Chrysler, and the entire NC State coaching staff for this opportunity. Excited for this next chapter!! pic.twitter.com/XOi3nhrXID
— Collins Black (@CollinsBlack_11) June 24, 2025
Black is a 6’2, 210 pound righty from Cary who was the 7th ranked player in the state of North Carolina 2024 class by Prep Baseball Report and the 53rd ranked by Perfect Game. He posted a line of 0-0, 8.68 ERA, 9.1 IP, 11.4 BB%, 40.9 K% over 9 appearances as a freshman with the Blue Devils.
The numbers a skewed by his debut appearance where he was shelled by Cincinnati (0.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 0 K). From that point on, he had scoreless efforts in 7 of his last 8 outings with a line of 0-0, 3.12 ERA, 8.2 IP, 11.4 BB%, 51.4 K%. He tossed a single inning of hitless, scoreless ball with no walks and two strikeouts against NC State on March 29th in Durham. We can forgive him for that, although NC State did win the game 14-6; he was the only Duke pitcher in that game to toe the rubber and not allow a run.
Aside from him being in their own backyard, the Wolfpack coaching staff had an additional look at Black in the fall when NC State and Duke scrimmaged. Black features a low-to-mid-90’s fastball with some nice arm side run, a promising slider with hard bite, and a what looks like a more traditional curve style breaking ball, although that could be inconsistency with the slider. For now, Black will slot in as a relief arm, although the development of a changeup could change his trajectory.
This summer, the righty is playing with the Holly Springs Salamanders, alongside Brandon Novy and the heir apparent (at least as of right now) 2026 Pack9 catcher, Preston Bonn. Also on that team are 2025 Pack9 members Trenton Lyons (transferring to Kennesaw State), Ryder Woodson (Mississippi State), and Aden Knowles (transfer destination TBD).
In other Wolfpack transfer portal news, SO RHP Camden Wimbish has entered the portal. The hard-throwing righty posted a line of 1-0, 16.00 ERA, 9.0 IP, 21.6 BB%, 33.3 K% this spring for the Pack, and he’s currently playing for the Brewster Whitecaps in the Cape Cod League. Thus far his control has been much better up in Massachusetts this summer (1-1, 5.79 ERA, 4.2 IP, 0.0 BB%, 27.8 K%).