FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Matt Goodyear (Photo: Courtesy of UCF)
ORLANDO (UCFAthletics.com) – With a potential starting rotation formulated, head coach Terry Rooney provides some details on the UCF bullpen. With several relievers last year looking to serve as starters in 2009, the pen could have a brand new appearance.
Bullpen
The UCF Pitching Staff
Cody Allen – So. – RHP – 4.58 ERA, 2-1, 21 APP, 3 GS, 39.1 IP, 12 BB, 45 K
Bryan Brown – Fr. – RHP – Rehabbing from an injury suffered prior to UCF
Brennan Dobbins – So. – RHP – 5.33 ERA, 1-1, 14 APP, 0 GS, 27.0 IP, 12 BB, 28 K
Anthony Figliolia – Fr. – RHP – Had an 0.51 ERA last year for Winter Springs HS
Jaager Good – Sr. – RHP – UCF’s No. 1 starter in 2007 earned a medical redshirt last year
Matt Goodyear – Jr. – RHP – 3.86 ERA, 1-0, 5 APP, 1 GS, 9.1 IP, 7 BB, 12 K
Gil Gomez – Sr. – RHP – Joins the Knights after attending Holy Cross for three years
Caleb Graham – Sr. – RHP – 6.11 ERA, 1-2, 10 APP, 5 GS, 28.0 IP, 10 BB, 29 K
D.J. Hicks – Fr. – RHP – Two-way player that may serve in the back end of the pen
Austin Hudson – Jr. – RHP – 5.06 ERA, 3-2, 20 APP, 3 GS, 42.2 IP, 25 BB, 38 K
Matt Manning – Sr. – RHP – Rehabbing from Tommy John surgery
Jordan Rasinski – Fr. – RHP – Rehabbing from an injury suffered prior to UCF
Evan Stobbs – So. – RHP – 6.83 ERA, 1-0, 11 APP, 0 GS, 29.0 IP, 12 BB, 31 K
Kyle Sweat – Sr. – RHP – 5.43 ERA, 5-5, 14 APP, 13 GS, 71.1 IP, 18 BB, 56 K
Cory Weech – Jr. – RHP – 13.50 ERA, 0-0, 3 APP, 0 GS, 4.2 IP, 3 BB, 5 K
Justin Weiss – Sr. – RHP – 3.41 ERA, 2-1, 7 SV, 21 APP, 0 GS, 34.1 IP, 14 BB, 34 K
The majority of UCF’s relief arms from 2008 were young players that could step into a starter’s role for 2009, such as Austin Hudson, Cody Allen, Brennan Dobbins and Evan Stobbs. No matter who might need to take up shop in the pen, having clutch relievers on the staff may shape the way this season plays out.
“When you look at our bullpen, I always say that games are won and lost the majority of times from innings six to eight,” thought Rooney. “We need to have players emerge as what I call go-to guys. Go-to guys are probably the most important part of a pitching staff, meaning that when your starter gets tired and runs out of gas, you need to have somebody that you can go to before your closer. Those are players who can consistently dominate the strike zone and can control the running game. Cory Weech, Matt Goodyear and Gil Gomez could be middle relief-type guys. All three have quality off-speed pitches that are quick to the plate.
“Late in the game, one of the unique characteristics of this pitching staff is we don’t have any left-handed pitching. Therefore, when you look at it we have to ask, `how are we going to get left-handed batters out late in the game?’ When you look for a guy that can pitch late in the game you have to have somebody that has an outstanding pitch or has a unique arm slot. Two of those guys for us are Justin Weiss and D.J. Hicks. Justin is a sidearm pitcher who has closed for us in the past. He can pound the strike zone and has had a lot of success. D.J. is one these players who I feel has an unbelievable future here as a two-way player. He has a great off-speed pitch that can control both sides of the plate, which will allow him to get both righties and lefties out. While I don’t know who are closer is going to be, those two are the best bet at filling that role.
“Jordan Rasinski and Bryan Brown are two freshmen who have experienced some health issues prior to enrolling at UCF, and they are on their way back from a rehabilitation standpoint. Matt Manning also has some injury-related issues and is recovering as well. Their health will determine their role on this team.
“When you analyze this pitching staff, each pitcher brings something positive to the table. It’s our responsibility to put guys into position where they have an opportunity to succeed. Our staff, regardless of the type of pitchers we have, needs to command the strike zone, field our position, control the running game and understand how to pitch situationally. If we can do all of those things, we are going to put ourselves in position to be successful.”
