Indiana University Athletics
IUBaseBlog: 2015 Pitching Preview
1/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Get a look into the IU baseball team through the eyes of radio broadcaster Greg Murray throughout the 2015 season. Each week, he’ll take a look at Indiana’s last few games, and preview its upcoming opponents.
By: Greg Murray | Twitter: @g_murray
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. --
It's hard to imagine, but the 2015 pitching staff may be more talented than last year's group. The Hoosiers seem to have the staff with every necessary piece to it; multiple starters, relievers for all situations and an established closer in Ryan Halstead.
STARTERS
The coaching staff has narrowed down the starting rotation to six options (aiming for four by the beginning of the season), according to head coach Chris Lemonis, who spoke with the media Monday. Caleb Baragar, Scott Effross, Luke Harrison, Brian Hobbie, Jake Kelzer and Christian Morris all appear to be in the mix.
The starting rotation will have a new look this season with the losses of Joey DeNato (senior), Brian Korte (senior) and Sully Stadler (shoulder injury). Morris can anchor the starters after a First-Team All-B1G season in 2014, and Effross will build off his momentum he earned with an All-Star summer in the Cape Cod League.
RELIEVERS
Once the starters are set, plenty of talented arms will fall into the bullpen for multiple-inning roles. Will Coursen-Carr brings a different look from the left side of the bullpen. I see Thomas Belcher fitting in as the eighth-inning guy to set up Halstead. His submarine arm slot is a deceiving change from a hard-thrower, so his style fits in perfectly as a bridge.
CLOSER
Halstead is back and eager to get back on the mound after missing most of last season with a torn ACL. He already holds the IU record for career saves (23), and there is no substitute for an experienced closer.
X-FACTOR
By season's end, I expect Kyle Hart to have a pivotal role on the staff. He won't be game-ready at the start of the season, but he is well on his way to coming back from Tommy John Surgery. Lemonis expects Kyle to be back in mid-March, and said that he will gradually progress with a strict pitch count.
That's all for this week. Next time, I'll take a look at the IU infield.
