This upcoming season, the Oregon baseball team could have a completely left-handed pitching rotation.
The core of the rotation is still intact with lefties Tommy Thorpe (2013: 2.16 ERA, 87K, 104.1 IP) and Cole Irvin (12-3, 2.48 ERA, 60 K, 116 IP), and the Ducks could see the No. 35 overall draft pick in last year’s draft step into a starting job immediately. Freshman Matt Krook, a left-handed pitcher out of San Mateo, Calif., decided to attend the University of Oregon instead of signing a deal with the Miami Marlins.
“(Krook) came in with a lot of expectations and I think he has really lived up to it thus far,” junior pitcher Jake Reed said.
The Ducks’ possible left-handed rotation this season is linked directly to junior Jake Reed switching roles from starting pitcher to the bullpen. Though nothing is set in stone just yet, Reed is currently the leading candidate to replace All-American closer Jimmie Sherfy, who was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks last June.
“We think with his (Reed’s) personality and other things he can do that he might fill the shoes of Jimmie Sherfy in a very big way,” head coach George Horton said.
After a successful freshman season, Reed took a slight step back last year as a starter, posting a record of 6-6 with an ERA of 3.50. Though the switch to the bullpen was not said to be because of Reed’s struggles last season, Reed did say that last year “was frustrating at times.”
With Reed heading to the bullpen and Krook possibly filling up the last spot in the three-man starting rotation, Horton said he wouldn’t mind a rotation of all lefties. But when asked if having a starting rotation with all left-handed pitchers could help the opposing team by seeing the ball come from the same side each game, Horton said he has no problem with it.
“I don’t know if I have ever had a staff with too many left-handed pitchers,” Horton said.
Horton added that having a rotation made up of left-handers would keep the opposing team’s running game under control. Last season, both Thorpe and Irvin picked off five runners each and the Ducks’ catchers, Josh Graham and Shaun Chase, threw out 15 of the 46 base stealers.
Oregon’s main catcher has yet to be determined. Horton said freshman catcher Jack Kruger has “impressed us quite a bit,” but added that it will be “very competitive” on who will get playing time or the most playing time. This year might be similar to last year with different players sharing time behind the plate.
The sixth-ranked Ducks will play their first series of the year against Hawaii in Honolulu starting Feb. 14.
Follow Andrew Bantly on Twitter @abant3