Analysis: UNC baseball rebuilds entire outfield ahead of 2025 season

The preseason No. 6 North Carolina baseball team revamped its outfield ahead of the 2025 season. 

The three starters from 2024’s College World Series run — center fielder Vance Honeycutt, left fielder Casey Cook and right fielder Anthony Donofrio — tallied up 215 of UNC’s 541 total runs this season. Each of them had an on-base percentage of .410 or higher. Honeycutt received ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024. Honeycutt went as far to say UNC's outfield was the best in the country last season.

“I'm realistic,” reigning ACC Coach of the Year Scott Forbes said. “You don't necessarily replace those types of guys right away. We'll have a different type of team.”

It’s safe to say whichever Tar Heels end up playing the outfield have a lot to live up to. Here’s a look at this year's potential replacements:

Kane Kepley at center field 

Junior Kane Kepley transferred from Liberty University for the 2025 season. In one year with the Flames, he had a .332 batting average, recording 71 hits and 57 runs. 

UNC was Kepley’s top choice after entering the transfer portal. Liberty's head coach Scott Jackson left to become an assistant coach at UNC after eight seasons with the Flames, which factored into Kepley’s decision.

While the similarities between Kepley and Honeycutt are uncanny — both are center fielders, leadoff hitters, and are from the same hometown of Salisbury, N.C. — Kepley is not going to pretend to be someone he’s not. 

“At the end of the day, I’ve got to fill my own shoes,” Kepley said. “That's the way I look at it. I can't fill his. He can't fill mine.”

Tyson Bass at right field

Graduate Tyson Bass, a North Carolina native out of Lucama, is a graduate transfer from N.C. Wesleyan. In his final year with the Bishops, he received USA South Conference Player of the Year and N.C. Wesleyan’s Male Athlete of the Year.

Bass improved every year with the Bishops. Over four seasons, his fielding percentage went from .793 to .968. Bass more than quadrupled his number of home runs between his rookie and senior seasons, skyrocketing from five to 21.

Physically, the graduate said he didn’t have to make adjustments at the plate after transitioning schools, but he’s never seen pitchers like the ones at UNC. That's led to a mental shift.

He also doesn’t want to be “one-dimensional.” Hitting and running go hand-in-hand. 

“No point in hitting it, if you're not going to hit it hard,” Bass said. 

Rom Kellis at left field 

Junior Rom Kellis started his career at Auburn and transferred to Florence-Darlington Technical College, a junior college in his home state of South Carolina. 

At Florence-Darlington last season, Kellis maintained a .404 batting average and hit 16 homers. While he has proven his offensive prowess, his new defensive position will be an adjustment. Kellis is listed as a catcher. 

Senior infielder Jackson Van De Brake said Kellis has taken the transition in stride. 

“He's learned a lot just being out there,” Kepley said of Kellis’ transition. “It's a different mindset.”

While Forbes projected these three to start, nothing is set in stone. The roster also consists of Sawyer Black, the No. 1 outfielder in the state of North Carolina fresh off of the MLB combine, and Perry Hargett, the No. 1 player in North Carolina in the class of 2024. 

“We lost some really, really good players and some really great leaders,” Forbes said. “But I do feel confident that we have some players that can step in and give us a chance to compete nationally.” 

@aplancaster_

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com