At the top of the ASU baseball team’s pitching staff is a group of veteran arms poised to build off a strong 2011 campaign, but behind the returners is uncertainty. Not in the form of less talent, but instead with unproven talent.
Of the No. 17 Sun Devils’ 17 pitchers, only seven threw in games last year.
Fortunately for the team, it has a duo of highly scouted starters who combined for a 16-8 record last season. Leading the charge were juniors Brady Rodgers and Jake Barrett.
The two started 29 of the Sun Devils’ 61 games last year and the staff finished No. 29 in the nation in team ERA at 3.22.
“I’ve learned a lot from the guys who taught me, so now I can lead these younger guys in the right direction,” Rodgers said. “Teaching them to throw strikes and trust the defense. It’s worked for me and it’ll work for them.”
Both Rodgers and Barrett are expected to have their names called within the first two rounds of the MLB draft in June, but they aren’t worried about their professional prospects just yet.
“It’s hard to ignore because I have friends and family that bring it up,” Rodgers said. “But I’m not thinking about it, I’m trying to stay healthy and focused. Just getting better and having more control.”
When either of the two is on the mound, coach Tim Esmay will supply a longer leash to his experienced upperclassman.
“It allows us to not to have a quick trigger and allow them to work through some things,” he said. “We know what we’re getting from them because they’ve been through it.”
Competing for the third starting job will likely be an array of pitchers, either new or trying to make the transition from the bullpen.
Junior right-hander Alex Blackford started four games in 2011 when filling in for injured teammates and boasted a 2.66 ERA. Another candidate is sophomore righty Trevor Williams, who earned Freshman All-American honors last season with a 2.50 ERA in 32 appearances out of the bullpen.
“Whatever is asked of me I’ll do it, but it’s looking like I’ll be in a starting role,” Williams said. “We’ve been working on it through the fall and into the spring. It’s all about endurance. Before, I was supposed to pour fire all over myself and get three outs, now I have to make it last the whole game.”
Leading the newcomers in the bullpen will likely be senior righty Joseph Lopez and sophomore righty Mark Lambson. In 10 appearances last year, Lambson, the younger brother of former ASU closer Mitchell, struck out 13 batters and recorded a 1.90 ERA.
With a staff full of right-handed arms, two left-handed freshmen pitchers are expected to make their presences immediately felt with the Sun Devils: Brandon Bonilla and Adam McCreery.
Bonilla, the son of former MLB player Bobby Bonilla and godson of ASU legend Barry Bonds, throws upwards of 97 MPH when he’s on.
“He has got some great demeanor on the mound and he throws hard,” Williams said. “He’ll be effectively wild because he can bring it. You can tell he’s going to get guys out for us.”
McCreery, on the other hand, stands 6-feet-6-inches tall and draws comparisons to an Arizona Diamondback great.
“He reminds me of Randy Johnson,” Rodgers said. “He doesn’t have the mullet though.”
Reach the reporter at tyler.emerick@asu.edu
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