Troy University Athletics
Troy Baseball Preview: Pitchers
2/17/2021 5:05:00 PM | Baseball
TROY, Ala. – Two days remain until Troy takes the field for the 2021 baseball season after the 2020 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We'll wrap up our season preview by taking a look at the pitching staff.
The loss of 2020 Friday night starter Levi Thomas, a fourth-round pick in the MLB Draft, looms large for the Trojans. However, head coach Mark Smartt says the 2021 staff is as deep as he's had during his time at Troy.
"Quite honestly, and I say this with respect to the teams and pitchers we've had here, and we've had some dang good ones through the years, this is the best group of arms we've had in my 19 years at Troy," head coach Mark Smartt said.
Filling in the Friday night roll will be last season's Saturday starter Orlando Ortiz. In four starts last season, the Miami, Fla. native compiled a 3.13 ERA and struck out 17 batters in 23.0 innings pitched. Ortiz posted a 2-0 record on the year and struck out five and left the game with the lead against No. 1 Florida in Gainesville.
Troy returns a wealth of experienced arms behind Ortiz in guys like Lance Johnson, Max Newton, Ryan Fultz, Matt Snell, Tyson Ellis, Bay Witcher, Marquez Oates, and DJ Wilkinson who all saw considerable playing time during the shortened 2020 season and continue to develop under pitching coach Matt Hancock.
Johnson, a preseason All-Sun Belt relief pitcher selection, is one of the most experienced arms in the country, ranking third among active Division I players with 93 career appearances. Johnson, alongside Fultz, each made a team-high 11 appearances in 2020.
As only a freshman, Snell became one of the most reliable options out of the bullpen for the Trojans last season. He inherited eight baserunners in his nine relief appearances and only allowed one to score while retiring seven of the nine first batters he faced.
Oates, a junior, posted a team-best 3-0 record and struck out 11 batters compared to walking just two in his six appearances. His three wins tied for the 23rd most in the nation last season.
Troy placed a heavy emphasis on pitching in its most recent recruiting class and several newcomers should make an immediate impact.
True freshman Garrett Gainous is expected to assume the Saturday spot in the weekend rotation. The 6-4, 200 lb. righty boasts a fastball sitting 92-93 and up to 94 mph, along with a quality slider/changeup combo. Gainous was tabbed as the No. 8 impact freshman in the league by D1Baseball ahead of this season.
Sophomore left-hander Kyle Gamble will also make an impact with a fastball that sits 85-88 and up to 89-90 mph and some deception in his delivery with a high spin rate. Another left-hander, Dominick Miller, will attack hitters with a fastball that sits 93-94 mph and can touch 95 from a low 3/4 arm slot. Miller checked in at No. 23 on D1Baseball's list of the Sun Belt's top 2021 draft prospects.
Troy also added two transfers in Mason Kenney and Ryan Pettys. Kenny posted a 4.11 ERA with 22 strikeouts and just eight walks over 35 career innings of work at Furman. Pettys, a transfer from Florida State, was rated as a top 150 player nationally out of high school, the 15th-best lefty in the nation and the second-best in the state of Florida according to Perfect Game.
Troy opens its season with a four-game series against Youngstown State, beginning Friday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. Riddle-Pace Field will be operating at a reduced capacity this season in accordance with NCAA, Sun Belt Conference and local mandates. For more information on COVID-19 guidelines, click here.
A limited number of season tickets remain and may be purchased by visiting TroyTrojans.com/tickets or by calling 877-878-WINS (9467).
The loss of 2020 Friday night starter Levi Thomas, a fourth-round pick in the MLB Draft, looms large for the Trojans. However, head coach Mark Smartt says the 2021 staff is as deep as he's had during his time at Troy.
"Quite honestly, and I say this with respect to the teams and pitchers we've had here, and we've had some dang good ones through the years, this is the best group of arms we've had in my 19 years at Troy," head coach Mark Smartt said.
Filling in the Friday night roll will be last season's Saturday starter Orlando Ortiz. In four starts last season, the Miami, Fla. native compiled a 3.13 ERA and struck out 17 batters in 23.0 innings pitched. Ortiz posted a 2-0 record on the year and struck out five and left the game with the lead against No. 1 Florida in Gainesville.
Troy returns a wealth of experienced arms behind Ortiz in guys like Lance Johnson, Max Newton, Ryan Fultz, Matt Snell, Tyson Ellis, Bay Witcher, Marquez Oates, and DJ Wilkinson who all saw considerable playing time during the shortened 2020 season and continue to develop under pitching coach Matt Hancock.
Johnson, a preseason All-Sun Belt relief pitcher selection, is one of the most experienced arms in the country, ranking third among active Division I players with 93 career appearances. Johnson, alongside Fultz, each made a team-high 11 appearances in 2020.
As only a freshman, Snell became one of the most reliable options out of the bullpen for the Trojans last season. He inherited eight baserunners in his nine relief appearances and only allowed one to score while retiring seven of the nine first batters he faced.
Oates, a junior, posted a team-best 3-0 record and struck out 11 batters compared to walking just two in his six appearances. His three wins tied for the 23rd most in the nation last season.
Troy placed a heavy emphasis on pitching in its most recent recruiting class and several newcomers should make an immediate impact.
True freshman Garrett Gainous is expected to assume the Saturday spot in the weekend rotation. The 6-4, 200 lb. righty boasts a fastball sitting 92-93 and up to 94 mph, along with a quality slider/changeup combo. Gainous was tabbed as the No. 8 impact freshman in the league by D1Baseball ahead of this season.
Sophomore left-hander Kyle Gamble will also make an impact with a fastball that sits 85-88 and up to 89-90 mph and some deception in his delivery with a high spin rate. Another left-hander, Dominick Miller, will attack hitters with a fastball that sits 93-94 mph and can touch 95 from a low 3/4 arm slot. Miller checked in at No. 23 on D1Baseball's list of the Sun Belt's top 2021 draft prospects.
Troy also added two transfers in Mason Kenney and Ryan Pettys. Kenny posted a 4.11 ERA with 22 strikeouts and just eight walks over 35 career innings of work at Furman. Pettys, a transfer from Florida State, was rated as a top 150 player nationally out of high school, the 15th-best lefty in the nation and the second-best in the state of Florida according to Perfect Game.
Troy opens its season with a four-game series against Youngstown State, beginning Friday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. Riddle-Pace Field will be operating at a reduced capacity this season in accordance with NCAA, Sun Belt Conference and local mandates. For more information on COVID-19 guidelines, click here.
A limited number of season tickets remain and may be purchased by visiting TroyTrojans.com/tickets or by calling 877-878-WINS (9467).
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballBehind the Wall - S10, E1
Friday, September 05
PODCAST - Josh Lauer
Thursday, September 04
Football Press Conference (Players) - Clemson Game
Monday, September 01
Gerad Parker Press Conference (Clemson Game)
Monday, September 01