Former Duck Jimmie Sherfy continues to find success at next level

Originally Posted on Emerald Media via UWIRE

Former Oregon Ducks closer Jimmie Sherfy didn’t have to travel far to begin his professional career. After being selected in the 10th round of June’s Major League Baseball draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sherfy was assigned to pitch for the class A Hillsboro Hops — just two hours north of where he played college ball.

In his final collegiate season, Sherfy was a semi-finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, which is given to the nation’s top college baseball player. He converted 21 saves last season to rank third in the nation and saved 19 games the year before, finishing one save shy of the Division I leader. Sherfy was instrumental in Oregon’s success in 2012 and 2013, helping the team to consecutive appearances in the opening rounds of the College World Series.

The Camarillo, Calif. native was named to several pre-season watch lists prior to the 2013 season and landed a spot on the ABCA/Rawlings first-team All-America list in 2012.

Sherfy’s new pitching coach is former Major League All-Star and Cy Young award winning pitcher Doug Drabek, and he says Sherfy is having no trouble succeeding in the pros.

“He’s been consistent as far as throwing strikes, keeping the ball low in the zone and putting up zeroes,” Drabek said.

Putting up zeroes is the norm for Sherfy, who finished the 2012 and 2013 seasons with ERAs of 2.20 and 2.25, respectively. He wasn’t fazed by the pressure he faced on the mound, either. In fact, that’s what made him excel.

“I love (the pressure),” Sherfy told the Emerald in May. “I love it. If I go in with a four- or five-run lead, it’s iffy. Once it’s one or two runs I’m most dialed in. When the pressure is on, I love it.”

Thus far for Hillsboro, Sherfy has been flawless in two appearances, allowing a single hit with three strikeouts in two innings of work, picking up his first professional save Thursday night.

“He just gives you that guy that’s been in that role before and is used to the pressure and the situation,” said Drabek on adding Sherfy to the staff. “He’s done it before and seems comfortable doing it.”

Sherfy was affectionately nicknamed “Wild Thing” among the Ducks faithful for his flowing blonde hair and what Drabek calls “not just your everyday vanilla wind-up.”

“Obviously his ability to throw strikes and get guys out (is important.) The ball comes out of his hands real good, he locates his fastball, his slider is sharp. He comes at you with a different motion … there’s something a little different in there.”

Sherfy has athletic genetics on his side, too. His father Brad coached men’s golf at UCLA from 1996 to 2002 and took home All-American honors as a golfer for the Bruins in 1978, according to GoDucks.com.

Sherfy’s playing days in Hillsboro may end up being just a pit stop on the long road to the major leagues, but for now, the Hops have a closer they can turn to consistently and with confidence.

Read more here: http://dailyemerald.com/2013/07/22/former-duck-jimmie-sherfy-continues-to-find-success-at-next-level/
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