By R.L. Bynum

Although he’s likely to be drafted in July and could sign with a major-league team, former UNCW right-handed pitcher Trace Baker has committed to North Carolina, giving the Tar Heels their fifth baseball transfer portal commitment.

The 6–4, 230-pound Baker was a first-team All-CAA reliever last season in his junior year, going 4–1 with a 2.24 ERA with five saves. Baker, who struck out 54 and walked only 16 in 52⅓ innings, has a fastball in the mid-90s to go with a sweeper in the low-80s.

Peter Flaherty III of Baseball America reported the news late Friday night.

Baker’s only loss of the season came in UNC’s 7–3 10-inning win March 11 at UNCW. Baker gave up four hits and four runs (none earned) with two walks and four strikeouts in the last three innings.

Trace Baker gets out of a HUGE jam for the Seahawks to keep it at 3-3 👀
pic.twitter.com/KGk3KGg3vH

— Carolina Curveball (@CarolinaCurveBB) March 12, 2025

Baker, who grew up in Winterville, struck out a career-high seven on March 29 against North Carolina A&T and pitched five innings of shutout relief on April 11 against William & Mary. In the Seahawks’ 6–3 win April 29 at N.C. State, Baker pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save.

He went 7–3 in 12 starts for Catawba Valley Community College as a freshman before transferring to UNCW for his sophomore season. That year, he allowed only one earned run in 14⅓ innings over seven appearances.

Jr. RHP Trace Baker
College: UNCW
H/W: 6’4” 225

FB: 93-94 L(92) H(96)
SL: 80-83
CH: 84

Arm strength guy. Heater has some heavy arm side action. Works from the stretch. Put together frame. #Follow || @DSeifertD1PBR pic.twitter.com/6I4S87imaU

— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) October 28, 2024

The Seahawks went 34–24 and finished second in the CAA.

Baker joins North Dakota State rising junior shortstop Jake Schaffner, Stony Brook rising junior first baseman Eric Paulsen, Georgia State rising senior left fielder Michael Maginnis and Georgia State rising senior catcher Colin Hynek as transfers to commit to UNC.

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UNC transfer commitments

Player	Pos.	Class (next season)	Career statistics	Former school
Owen Hull	RF	Junior	.367, 8 HRs, 63 RBI, 42 SBs	George Mason
Macon Winslow	C	Junior	.267, 13 HRs, 65 RBI	Duke
Jake Schaffner	SS	Junior	.353, 37 RBI 34 steals	North Dakota State
Colin Hynek	C	Senior	.228, 33 HRs, 91 RBI	Georgia State
Michael Maginnis	OF	Senior	.295, 26 HRs, 111 RBI, 40 SBs	Georgia State
Erik Paulsen	1B	Junior	.330, 13 HRs, 68 RBI, 8 SBs	Stony Brook

Photos via uncwsports.com