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NC State SS Justin DeCriscio drafted by San Diego Padres

image_6483441 (3)by:Noah Fleischman•07/14/25•

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Justin DeCriscio
NC State Wolfpack's Justin DeCriscio (8) tags out Auburn Tigers' Cade Belyeu (14) in a rundown between second and first bases during the NCAA Regional Baseball Tournament at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala., on Sunday June 1, 2025.

After he spent the first three years of his collegiate career at San Diego, NC State senior shortstop Justin DeCriscio is headed back to the West Coast. The San Diego Padres drafted the smooth defender in the 10th round with the 310th overall pick Monday afternoon.

In his lone season with the Wolfpack, DeCriscio hit .289 with 12 doubles, two triples, a career-high eight home runs, 44 RBI and 45 runs scored this past spring. He also walked 23 times with just 22 strikeouts as the team’s every day shortstop.

While DeCriscio’s bat was serviceable in the Pack’s lineup, he was brought in for his defense. The shortstop posted a .955 fielding percentage with just seven errors in 52 total games at NC State. DeCriscio’s ability to defend at a high level made him attractive to professional teams as a senior pick.

Before DeCriscio transferred to NC State, he was a key member of the University of San Diego’s infield. He logged a .945 or better fielding percentage as a sophomore and junior, while he was a .308 or better hitter in those two seasons. DeCriscio earned All-WCC Honorable Mention honors after the 2023 campaign.

In addition to his collegiate success, DeCriscio helped Orange Lutheran High to the No. 1 national ranking for three consecutive seasons at the prep level. The Orange County, Calif., native was key in building that high school dynasty, including a 2021 Trinity League Gold Glove Award. Now, he’ll get to return to his home state to begin his professional career.

DeCriscio, who is the second straight Wolfpack shortstop to end up with the Padres (Brandon Butterworth, 12th round in 2024) is NC State’s fifth draft pick of the 2025 event. He joins junior lefty Dominic Fritton (4th round, Tampa Bay Rays), shortstop signee Aidan West (4th round, Los Angeles Dodgers) and right-handed pitcher signee CJ Gray (5th round, Los Angeles Angels), junior right-handed pitcher Shane Van Dam (9th round, Kansas City Royals) as the Pack’s draft selections this weekend.

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