MSU Baseball Feature: Higgins And Monke Are Anchors For Spartan Pitching Staff

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Nolan Higgins and Carter Monke may wear the same uniform, and shared the same mound and opportunity to be veteran leaders Michigan State's pitching staff this season, but their journeys have been radically distinct, forming an anchored part of the veteran core that has led the MSU pitching staff this season.

After losing last season's Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, Joseph Dizerwa, to the MLB Draft, Michigan State baseball head coach Jake Boss Jr., knew Higgins and Monke would both face a unique challenge to step up as dependable arms this season.

"Losing your best guy on the mound gives somebody else an opportunity," Boss Jr. said. "There were a handful of guys that had a great opportunity and the rotation at the end of the year is always much different than at the beginning."

Higgins, a communications major, who will graduate this summer, logged over 60 innings last season, tying Dzierwa for most starts on the team with 15, and ranking for third on the team in firing 39 strikeouts, but also yielding a team-leading 48 earned runs and 37 walks.

Entering the 2026 season, Higgins was revered as the veteran among the pitching staff, as the longest tenured Spartan pitcher, now finishing his fourth year in the Green & White. Higgins knew what it takes to be a pitcher for Michigan State, and was willing to do whatever he could to help the Spartans win.

Despite sharing for the team-lead in starts and as the likely heir apparent to main starting pitching coming into the season, Higgins' role shifted. Instead of starting games, Higgins has been finishing games this season as MSU's closer, leading the staff with three saves in topping the team with 13 games finished.

"The coaches and I talked about it a lot in the offseason," said Higgins, about last season's earned runs and walks issues. "It was more about the freebies and trying to limit those. The biggest focus this offseason was tightening up my command of the strike zone."

Shifting to the bullpen definitely tightened up the strike zone for Higgins, as he not only leads MSU's pitching staff, but he is also among the Big Ten leaders for strikeouts by a reliever, chalking up 56 strikeouts. Higgins also ranks second on the team in K/9 innings at 12.2, and also tying for the team lead with 23 appearances, all coming in relief.

MSU's pitching coach Mark Van Ameyde praised Higgins' offseason and preseason work ethic and preparation, which he believed led to his successful standout season this year.

"His preparation has always been really good, " said Van Ameyde. "I think there's really not a situation he hasn't been in. For him, it's about consistently executing pitches."

Higgins' struggles with execution were evident by the stats, he knew that simplifying his routine and mindset before appearances would equate to success.

Perhaps the most important scouting report the senior needed to understand was himself.

"Baseball isn't a physical game as much as it is mental," Higgins said. "As a pitcher, you want to be relaxed and controlled because when people tense up, that's when they start to fail."

While Michigan State is the only school and college team that Higgins has known, Monke's journey to MSU came with a few stops before arriving in East Lansing. Monke began his collegiate career at Parkland Junior College in 2021, before transferring to Illinois State for the 2024, and 2025 seasons. In two seasons at ISU, the right-handed starting pitcher logged over 80 innings, tallying 67 strikeouts in two seasons as a Redbird, posting an 8-2 record in 23 appearances with 14 starts.

Monke's older brother Caden, a left-handed pitcher in the Kansas City Royals' organization, had a significant influence on his decision to enter the transfer portal a second time and join Michigan State. Caden, 26, played at Arkansas from 2018-21 and has been in the Royals' minor league system for four and a half years, currently with their Double-A Affiliate, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

The younger Monke dealt with mental and physical adversity last season, which included a lack of confidence, paired with minor shoulder injuries that affected his arm slot. However, upon his arrival to East Lansing, the right-hander worked with Van Ameyde to fix those issues.

"I was switching in and out of different roles last season, and that didn't help with confidence," Monke said. "But the coaches give you confidence here, and you learn how to build off of that. I've definitely been more in sync with my body this season."

Monke also credited his conversations with former MSU player and current Savannah Banana JT Sokolove for his decision to become a Spartan.

"I picked his brain about MSU and made my decision based on those conversations," Monke said, who graduated this spring with his sport coaching graduate certificate from Michigan State.

Although nobody on the pitching staff had a defined role yet at the time of his arrival, Monke's place on the 2026 roster was a mystery when the season began. Coach Boss and Coach Van Ameyde looked to utilize Monke's versatility, noting that contributions could vary throughout the season, either in the starting rotation or emerging from the bullpen.

The hurler embodies a "Swiss Army" knife, capable of throwing five or six innings and limiting damage with runners on base, no matter the situation, and could start or come out of the bullpen.

"It's funny you mentioned 'Swiss Army' knives," Van Ameyde said. "What Carter has for his pitching arsenal allows him to be a starter is a number of pitches, and he's going to be around the zone. You feel confident that he's going to give you some length during the game."

Monke's pitch mix features a four-seam fastball that reaches 91 mph, along with a change-up and curve ranging in the low 80s.

Entering this weekend's non-conference series against his old team, Illinois State, Monke has made 13 starts, and this past Sunday at Ohio State was one his best, firing a season-high six strikeouts in 6.1 IP, making his fifth outing of season going 6.0 IP or more, as well as posting his 11th outing with three or more Ks.

Higgins and Monke's senior season has been one of self-discovery, maturity and an understanding, has they have fulfilled their responsibilities that extend far beyond the field.

"It's been a long journey being here through all the ups and downs," Higgins said. "We really understand what it's like being Spartans and it's been an incredible season.

Monke and Higgins lead MSU into action this weekend in the final home and regular-season games, as the Spartans drew their bye in the conference schedule on the final weekend, and will host Monke's old team, Illinois State, Thursday-Saturday, May 14-16 in Spartan Senior Celebrations weekend.

Thursday and Friday's games are also both 6:02 p.m. start times, with Saturday's regular-season finale slated for a 1:02 p.m. first pitch, with pre-game Senior Celebrations recognitions on Friday and Saturday, with Monke and Higgins among Saturday's recognitions.

MSU's schedule is subject to change, fans can stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates, along with follow action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links where available.

Michigan State baseball tickets for games at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium, are available online, at msuspartans.evenue.net, by contacting the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information, or fans can visit the MSU Ticket Office in person, located in 1855 Place.

Michigan State University Athletics

MSU Baseball Feature: Higgins And Monke Are Anchors For Spartan Pitching Staff

Related News

Players Mentioned

Nolan Higgins

Carter Monke

JT Sokolove

Related Videos