#Risewithus

August 16, 2021

Today, on our first post of the new athletic year we will focus on Liberty Baseball and the transfer portal.  Last year the Flames filled in the roster with pieces that played a crucial role in what was arguably the best season in program history.  Stalwarts like Fraser Ellard, Trevor Delaite, Dylan Cumming, Aaron Anderson & Jake Wilson all came to Liberty from the portal and made huge impacts on the 2021 version of the Liberty Flames.  Turn the page to 2022 and it's time for the flames to dip into the talent rich portal again to supplement a very deep and talented roster.  

The first major addition to the 22 class comes in the way of Max Alba who is an uber talented 6'5 RS sophomore transfer from UNC.  Alba made 9 starts for the Tarheels in 2020 with a 6.96 ERA.  He flashed brilliance at times while featuring a fastball that topped out at 95 mph.  Max pitched 7 2/3 innings of 3 run 9 K ball against Clemson on March the 14th.  He also had a 5 inning 3 run 5 k start against UVA  on February 28th.  Alba was hurt by the longball as he allowed 10 homeruns in 32 1/3 innings on the season.  This is just the type of arm that pitching coach Matt Williams can make a few mechanical adjustments and turn Alba into a work horse arm that the Flames can rely on.  I would expect Alba to compete for a weekend role with Trey Gibson, Dylan Cumming and Joe Adametz who is coming off TJ surgery.  

Alba should also benefit from the pitcher friendly dimensions of Liberty Baseball Stadium.  If things go as he and the Flames hope it's very likely he will be a 1 and done draft player as he will be draft eligible and he has the frame and stuff that scouts salivate over.  He has plenty of talent as he was the #1 RHP  in Wisconsin in 2018 and #5 overall player and was also drafted by the Angels in the 39th round.  


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