It’s been a busy week for Chris Hart and the NC State baseball program.
Taylor Black rejoins the Wolfpack
Hart finalized his 2027 coaching staff by bringing back current Florida Assistant Coach and former Wolfpack assistant Taylor Black. It’s both an impressive and logical hire for State, as Black was previously an assistant with the Pack from 2014-2017 and has been on staff with the Gators for the past four seasons, two of which resulted in College World Series appearances. Between those stints, the South Carolina native spent four years
in the Detroit Tigers organization in scouting.
Black started his college career at Charleston Southern before spending at year in JUCO ball at Spartanburg Methodist and then playing his final two years at Kentucky. He was drafted by the Phillies, but had a short pro career before being hired by Elliott Avent for his foray into the coaching world.
While he’s no slouch in teaching the game, recruiting – especially via the transfer portal – is what Black is best known for. He won’t have the same financial resources at his disposal in Raleigh as he did in Gainesville, but the talent evaluation skills he possesses will translate from the SEC to the ACC.
Three transfers join Pack9 for 2027
Speaking of transfers, the Wolfpack added three this week in a pair of left-handed pitchers and a catcher.
San Jose State rJR LHP Jesse Gutierrez. Career 8-12, 1 SV, 4.67 ERA, 154.1 IP, 8.5 BB%, 19.6 K% spanning 57 appearances and 15 starts. Ten of those starts came in 2026 when he posted a 1-4, 6.55 ERA, 45.1 IP, 11.1 BB%, 14.4 K%. The numbers from this year are certainly not encouraging, but it’s worth noting that Gutierrez was just a year away from Tommy John Surgery that ended his 2025 season (3-2, 2.36 ERA, 26.2 IP, 4.6 BB%, 20.4 K% over 5 starts) short. As a full-time reliever in 2024, the 6’1, 200 lbs Santa Clara native posted a line of 3-4, 1 SV, 3.74 ERA, 53.0 IP, 7.4 BB%, 21.1 K%.
Gutierrez features a high leg kick and drop-and-drive delivery from a 3/4 arm slot. His fastball sits in the low 90’s, topping out at 93, while featuring a loopy curve ball, a promising slider, and a changeup with late arm side fade.
Despite the poor ERA and walk rates in 2026, Gutierrez saw a career-high in ground ball rate and a career-low in home run rate. It’s unclear if he’ll be used as a starter or reliever, but experience in both roles – and another year removed from TJS – will be helpful. Gutierrez will be a redshirt senior in 2027, his final year of collegiate eligibility.
Florida SO LHP McCall Biemiller will follow Black to Raleigh where he will be a redshirt sophomore in 2027 after appearing in just one game for the Gators in 2026 (faced just two batters in a single appearance, walking one and hitting one). As a freshman in 2025, Biemiller put up a line of 1-0, 5.93 ERA, 13.2 IP, 25.8 BB%, 27.3 K%.
The 6’3, 185 lbs Tampa native is from the powerhouse Jesuit program that has produced recent Wolfpack players Vincent DeCarlo and Aden Knowles, both of whom played high school ball with the latest Wolfpack commit. Biemiller flashed a low-90’s fastball, mixed with a slider, curve, and change. The stuff is legit – he was the Florida 5A POY in 2024 – but control is a major limiting factor. He’s a high-risk, high-reward add for the Pack.
Mississippi State SO C Andrew Raymond has 269 PA across 71 games over his first two collegiate seasons, posting an overall line of .300/.404/.455, 13 2B, 7 HR, 13.88 BB%, 13.8 K%, 0-0 SB. He was a starter for George Mason as a freshman in 2025 (.287/.393/.431, 10 2B, 5 HR, 14.0 BB%, 12.1 K%, 0-0 SB) before transferring to Mississippi State for 2026 (.348/.444/.543, 3 2B, 2 HR, 13.0 BB%, 20.4 K%, 0-0 SB) and serving in a reserve role, although he did make 10 starts among his 20 games played. The 6’1, 205 lbs Middletown, MD, native is a lefty hitter and earned All-A10 Freshman Team honors in 2025.
Raymond saw 19 games behind the dish for Mississippi State, posting a .993 fielding percentage while throwing out 3-of-12 (25.0%) attempted base stealers and allowing three passed balls. In starting 50 games for George Mason in 2025, he posted a .980 fielding percentage and threw out 8-of-64 (12.5%) of attempted base stealers and allowing five passed balls. He has plenty of arm strength, but needs refinement in the other areas of his game. The bat will play, though.
Rett Johnson and Luke Nixon earn 2026 honors
Finally, looking back at the 2026, FR LF Rett Johnson continues to pile on the accolades, being named a Freshman All-American by both Perfect Game and the NCBWA, while both he and JR 2B Luke Nixon were named to the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Atlantic All-Region Second Team.
