February 14, 2013

JP's Weekly Walk-Off: Pitching Preview



The 2013 Beavers pitching staff may provide a sense of déjà vu to those that followed the 2012 team, as virtually every key component from last year's staff returns.  In a nutshell, the quantity and quality of the returning arms, augmented by a few key newcomers, should make this one of the best staffs in not only the Pac-12, but also on a national scale.


KEY LOSSES


This section usually consists of a list of players, and the good news for the 2013 Beavers is that there is only one player who logged significant innings last year who will (most likely) not return for this season.  The bad news, of course, is that the player in question is sophomore Jace Fry (5-3, 2.45 ERA) who appeared on every major Freshman All-American team last year.


Fry departed the Beavers' opening game in the Baton Rouge Regional after feeling a pop in his pitching elbow and experiencing escalating pain, and the diagnosis was a 75% tear of the ulnar collateral ligament.  The fact the tear was not complete was good news, but the end result was the necessity of Tommy John surgery to repair the damage.  Recovery times vary, but typically run 10 to 14 months, leaving a return in May possible, but not probable.  As he showed in returning from back surgery last season, Jace will do everything he can to get back on the hill as soon as he possibly can, but as Coach Casey stated: "he's a guy that we're going to protect because I think he's got a future" so he certainly won't be rushed back.         

 

RETURNING PITCHERS

    


...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial