Friday, March 6, 2009
Pitching is key to the success of any baseball team. Yes, everyone is enamored with the home run, but pitching is the strategic building block that can make or break a team.
A strong pitching rotation can take a team a long way, and a weak one will hinder any team. Look at Major League Baseball. Tampa Bay made it to the World Series with all five starters earning at least 11 wins and no one compiling more than 11 losses. On the flip side, Cy Young winners Tim Lincecum and Cliff Lee had a combined 22 more wins than the second leading pitchers on their teams. Both teams failed to reach the postseason.
If the early signs are any indication, then Kansas’ rotation is destined to mirror Tampa Bay’s and be strong as a unit. So far, every KU pitcher has performed well enough to win.
Shaeffer Hall broke out in the first game of the season to throw a no-hitter. Freshman Lee Ridenhour has already compiled a 2-0 record, including a win on the road against a ranked Arkansas squad.
Cameron Selik and T.J. Walz both pitched strong, allowing a combined three earned runs in their first starts of the season, but the offense wasn’t producing for Selik, and closer Paul Smyth let Memphis come back to steal a win from Walz.
The losses aside, the pitching staff has looked strong. This is a good sign for Kansas considering two upperclassmen, Andy Marks and Wally Marciel, have had injury problems. Marks injured his shoulder last season and hasn’t returned to the bullpen yet, while Marciel is redshirting this season.
Baseball is probably the sport that focuses on the team aspect the most. A strong pitching staff can build confidence in a young team like Kansas. The Jayhawks started three freshmen and three sophomores on Tuesday night. The performance by Ridenhour Tuesday night should be looked at with extreme optimism.
The Big 12 Conference is a strong baseball conference with five teams ranked in the Top 25. For the Jayhawks to compete they will need a combined effort from their pitching staff throughout the season.
It is possible this Kansas team could mirror Tampa Bay in more ways than one. Kansas has a balanced pitching staff, a young power-hitting third baseman, an experienced outfielder having a breakout season, and an all-star catcher to anchor the team.
The AL East is arguably the toughest division in baseball, and the Big 12 isn’t any easier. If it’ll help the Jayhawks make the College World Series, maybe we should shorten their name, too. The Hawks are coming off a 9-18 record in conference last year, but maybe with these factors working for them, they’re in for a great season.
— — Edited by Liz Schubauer
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