WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina

UNC's Warren working his way up baseball ranks

Jun 16, 2012

Durham, N.C. — Pitcher Adam Warren took a gamble a few years ago when he returned to the University of North Carolina for his senior season. 

Most top prospects leave college after their junior season, but when Warren dropped down to the 36th round, he chose to come back to Carolina for another season. A year later, he jumped 32 rounds when the Yankees picked him in the fourth.

"I wasn't exactly happy where I got drafted, and school was always important to me. I wanted to go back and graduate," Warren said.

It's something most players wouldn't do, but the move paid off for Warren, and he continues to climb the ladder to the major leagues.

Three years removed from his last pitch for the Tar Heels, Warren was on the mound in Durham recently with the visiting Scranton Yankees, the Triple A affiliate of the winningest franchise in baseball. He just missed a call to The Show after a stellar spring training.

"Rubbing shoulders with some of the big league guys, getting advice, watching some of their routines was a big experience for me," Warren said. "Just to know that they were considering me for the job means a lot to me and kind of shows that they were taking me seriously."

Command and control are the watchwords now for Warren. He throws multiple pitches for strikes, and keeps hitters off balance, as evidenced by the recent seven shutout innings he pitched against the Durham Bulls.

"I think I've become a smarter pitcher," Warren said. 

Scranton pitching coach Scott Aldred said Warren was becoming more comfortable with all of his pitches in all scenarios.

Warren stayed in school and became a better prospect for it. Now he's only a step away from the major leagues.

 

• Reporter: Ken Medlin
• Web Editor: Jodi Leese Glusco