Drew Lanphere brings steady defense and sneaky pop behind the plate for NC State
Lanphere is a defense-first catcher for NC State who has shown enough bat-to-ball ability and patience to keep himself in the lineup, highlighted by a .383 on-base percentage in 2025 and a strong start to 2026 with extra-base pop and run production. He is not a loud tools guy, but he fits as a reliable, left-handed hitting backstop who can work counts, handle the staff, and deliver occasional momentum-swinging at-bats. The main question is offensive consistency, but his contact, on-base skill, and proven competence behind the plate make him a useful fit for a program that values stability and versatility.[2][3][12]
