The North Carolina Tar Heels were one of the best pitching teams in college baseball in 2025.
With a 3.47 team ERA last season, the Heels ranked third in college baseball nationally. The Tar Heels also had the best ERA in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for the second-straight season.
In 2026, there seems to be another loaded pitching staff forming in Chapel Hill. Here is a look at some of the top pitchers for the Tar Heels.
Jason DeCaro and Folger Boaz Headline the North Carolina Starting Rotation
Jason DeCaro returns to North Carolina for his junior season after making 16 starts in 2025. The right-hander had a 3.78 ERA in 83 1/3 innings of work.
He picked up nine wins on the mound for the Tar Heels and was a second-team All-ACC nominee for the second-straight season.
Left-handed pitcher Folger Boaz will be another name to know within the North Carolina starting rotation.
In 2025, Boaz had a much-improved season from his freshman year in 2024. The southpaw had a 3.90 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 30 innings of work.
Boaz made four starts last season and did most of his work out of the North Carolina bullpen. He finished with a 3-0 record.
Walker McDuffie is One of the Best Relievers in the Country
Walker McDuffie put on a show in his freshman season with the North Carolina Tar Heels. In 55 1/3 innings of work, the right-hander had a 3.74 ERA and 72 strikeouts.
McDuffie was stingy against North Carolina’s opponents as he allowed a .182 opposing batting average.
He was named a second-team Freshman All-American in 2025. McDuffie also received a 2026 preseason second-team All-American nomination from D1 Baseball.
Ryan Lynch and Olin Johnson Return After Providing Great Relief Pitching in 2025
Ryan Lynch had a monster freshman season for North Carolina out of the bullpen in 2025. He finished with a 2.93 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings of work. He allowed a .193 opposing batting average and picked up two saves as well.
Along with McDuffie, Lynch was also named a second-team Freshman All-American in 2025.
After making some starts in the 2025 postseason, Lynch is a viable candidate to slot into the North Carolina starting rotation in 2026.
Olin Johnson is a towering, six-foot-six reliever returning to Chapel Hill for his junior season. He provided quality relief for North Carolina last season with a 3.56 ERA in 30 1/3 innings of work.
Johnson also allowed an opposing batting average of .225 and is set to be a major part of the Tar Heels’ bullpen.
Up Next for North Carolina
The North Carolina Tar Heels will begin the 2026 college baseball season on February 13 against the Indiana Hoosiers.
The game is at North Carolina’s home ballpark, Boshamer Stadium, and the first pitch is at 4 p.m. EST.
NCAA news: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: North Carolina head coach Scott Forbes, right, reacts to a called third strike in the eighth inning of an NCAA super regional baseball game against Arizona on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
