Clemson hopes deeper pitching staff can make difference in 2012

CLEMSON — When Clemson’s 2011 season ended in ignominious fashion, one big reason why was the lack of pitching depth.

With Jonathan Meyer hobbled after taking a line drive off his knee in the ACC Tournament and Kevin Brady still working his way back from a strained forearm that sidelined him for more than two months, the Tigers’ pitching staff was too thin to survive a red-hot UConn lineup. The Huskies pushed the NCAA Clemson Regional to a winner-take-all game and blasted Clemson 14-3.

As the 2012 season opener approaches, the Tigers have a very different pitching issue on their hands – competition for the weekend rotation.

When Clemson opens the season next Friday against UAB, it will do so with a deep, veteran pitching staff. Although Scott Weismann signed as a late-round pick of the Chicago Cubs, he, Justin Sarratt and Alex Frederick are the only significant losses from a solid 2011 pitching staff.

“I like our pitching,” Clemson coach Jack Leggett said. “I think our pitching is going to be one of our strong points.”

Juniors Brady, Meyer, Dominic Leone and Scott Firth head a strong group of weekend rotation candidates who should make Clemson competitive in any game of college baseball’s suddenly offense-challenged environment.

“It’s obviously a good thing,” Leone said. “It’s a good problem to have, I guess you could say. Having Brady, (David) Haselden, Firth, Meyer, those guys back, it only makes our staff stronger and it gives the freshmen an opportunity to learn from guys who have had experience and some good games.”

Brady, who turned down a chance to sign with the Cleveland Indians as a 17th-round pick to return for his fourth year on campus (he is a redshirt junior), was dominant before the injury wiped out a huge chunk of his 2011. He still finished with 33 strikeouts against one walk and a 3.86 ERA.

Leone battled through his own injury to finish 6-2 with a 3.70 ERA and won five straight starts from April through May.

Meyer contributed as both a starter and reliever, and finished the season in the weekend rotation, compiling a 5-2 record with a 3.31 ERA. Haselden also contributed as a starter and reliever; he was 6-1 with a 2.23 ERA in 25 appearances (four starts). That’s the ACC’s top returning ERA.

Firth also contributed in the weekend rotation; he was 5-1 with a 3.06 ERA as a sophomore.

Kevin Pohle, Joseph Moorefield and Matt Campbell will also provide depth out of the bullpen or in mid-week games.

“We have some young guys coming in that are going to help us out,” Leggett said. “ I’m excited about what we have a chance to do on the mound.”

One key freshman contributor to watch out for? Daniel Gossett, who turned down the Boston Red Sox’s signing bonus as their 16th-round selection to come to Clemson.

“Daniel Gossett did a really great job for us in the fall,” Leggett said. “I thought he came on and got stronger physically and started to understand the transition from high school to college baseball. It took him awhile to figure that out, but I think he’s going to be really good for us in the spring. He’s a tough, hard-nosed guy.”

Leone or Brady are the most likely candidates to become the Friday night starter, the guy who sets the tone for the weekend. Leone said he feels very comfortable in the role and spent the summer honing his command. He said his fastball has been clocked as fast as 94 MPH.

“I felt it was pretty good at the end of the year,” he said. “and in the summer, that’s the main thing I worked on. It’s having command of all four of my pitches, so I hope when I get back on the mound it’ll be top-notch.”