JONESBORO, Ark. (7/24/23) – Arkansas State head baseball coach Tommy Raffo announced Monday that Arkansas native Peyton Traywick has been hired as the program’s pitching coach ahead of the 2024 season.

Traywick, a native of Jacksonville, Ark., spent the 2023 season as the pitching coach at the College of Central Florida. During his time in Ocala, Traywick helped the Patriots win an NJCAA national title and helped send multiple arms to some of the nation’s top Division-I programs.

“I would like to welcome Peyton Traywick to the Red Wolves baseball family,” Raffo said. “A native of Arkansas, Peyton’s junior college coaching experience helped his team win this past year’s JUCO national championship. He brings a high level of enthusiasm, relatability to the players and a love for recruiting. He also brings a great mix of baseball knowledge, an understanding of the fundamentals of pitching as well as the use of technology to aid in the process. We are excited about his addition to our coaching staff.”

Across Traywick’s stops, he has coached seven All-Americans and three MLB draftees while sending over 20 players to four-year institutions, including 14 to the Division-I level.

“I want to thank Coach Raffo; as well as Drew (LaBounty) and Henri (Lartigue) for the opportunity to join the staff here at Arkansas State,” Traywick said. “I’m looking forward to building a relationship with each of our players and beginning the development process with them this fall.”

An alumnus of Central Arkansas, Traywick spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons at Paul D. Camp Community College in Franklin, Va., as associate head coach, serving as the program’s pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.

Prior to his stint in Virginia, Traywick served as a Minor League Affiliate Player Development Assistant with the Tampa Bay Rays organization from December 2019 to May 2020. With the Rays, he handled pro scouting assignments during spring training, assisted in amateur draft preparation as well as video projects, among other duties.

From 2019-22, Traywick served as Director of Operations with Global Sports Metrics, coordinating international scouting efforts across 10 countries, managing player reports and videos, and assisted with scheduling of events, tournaments and showcases.

He also served as a scouting director with Evolution Matrix from October 2017-February 2020. There, he coordinated a database of scouting and video reports for MLB clients while also identifying MLB Draft prospects.

Traywick joins Raffo’s staff that includes recruiting coordinator Drew LaBounty and newly-elevated assistant Henri Lartigue.

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WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT PEYTON TRAYWICK…

“Peyton is one of the best young pitching coaches in the country. More importantly, he’s a tremendous human being. He cares deeply about the success and development of his players both on and off the field. He’s an incredible leader and has succeeded at every level he has already coached at. He’s a winner and his best days are still ahead of him.” 
– Richard Birfer, Texas Rangers

“Peyton was a tremendous part of our National Championship this year as both an outstanding recruiter and pitching coach. He built great relationships with our pitching staff and they improved every day. We will miss him here at the College of Central Florida and we are certain that he will do great things at Arkansas State” – Marty Smith (Head Baseball Coach, College of Central Florida)

“Coach Raffo and Arkansas State Baseball are getting one of the best up and coming young coaches in baseball! Peyton is a tireless worker who will give everything he has to that program and their players. He cares tremendously about relationships with his players and he is able to get the most out of them each day. On the recruiting trail, he will bring in high-quality young men to help their program succeed on and off the field. I have no doubt A-State is getting the right man for the job!” – Daniel Rollins (Head Baseball Coach, Paul D. Camp Community College)

“Peyton is one of the brightest young pitching coaches in college baseball. All of his stops have allowed him to learn a lot in his coaching career and each stop speaks for itself. He has created relationships around the nation that are pivotal for recruiting. He’s a tireless worker who really loves and cares for the players he gets to develop. This is a grand slam hire for Arkansas State. ” – Austin Biggs (Head Baseball Coach, Coahoma [Miss.] CC)