2023 Troy Baseball Preview: Pitchers

TROY, Ala. - Baseball season is upon us. Before the Trojans take the field against Evansville on February 17, each day leading up to the first pitch, we will preview a different group that makes up the 2023 Troy Trojans. We'll begin our season preview by looking at the pitching staff.

"It is exciting to head into the season with some more depth than last season," head coach Skylar Meade said. "Bringing back Garrett Gainous and Brady Fuller in the rotation is a big help, especially with their development over the last nine months. In addition, we have added Zach Fruit, who possesses a 97-mph fastball, as he vies for a spot on the weekend as well. Finally, Grayson Stewart, Ben Thompson, and Keaton Fuller are three arms who have the ability to start, relieve, and close, so their improvements will be big to us in the season."

Under the pitching expertise of Meade, the Trojans led the Sun Belt Conference in strikeouts totaling 520. In addition, they led the conference in strikeouts per nine innings at 9.5, which was the most in program history, as Meade has now been a part of a strikeout record at every program he's coached.

One name all Trojan fans will know is Garrett Gainous. Gainous enters his junior year looking again to lead the Trojan staff. In 12 games as the Friday night starter last season, his five wins were the most by a starting pitcher on the Troy staff, and his 2.98 earned run average led the Trojans. In 57.1 innings pitched, he led all Trojans with 69 strikeouts and set a career-high with 12 in a game coming against ULM. In addition, he sat down 20 batters looking, which was ninth-most in the Sun Belt Conference. Gainous was a two-time Sun Belt Pitcher of the week and was recently named to the preseason Perfect Game All-Conference team.

Brady Fuller is looking to build off a strong freshman season after leading the Trojan pitchers with 14 starts finishing with a record of 4-3. Fuller threw the most innings pitched of any starter, going 69.1 innings with the second most strikeouts with 59. He went a career-high seven innings at Arkansas State and had nine strikeouts against ULM. Fuller was a workhorse throwing over 100 pitches in four starts.

Also returning from last season is Grayson Stewart, Keaton Fuller, Ryan Pettys, Beau Fletcher, Noah Janney, and Mason Kenney

"Some of our guys getting on the mend health-wise will be vital to us as the year progresses in Logan Ross, Ryan Pettys, Mason Kenney, and Beau Fletcher," Meade said. "All have experience, and when healthy, all can pitch pivotal innings in a multitude of roles."

The Trojans will not be short on pitching as Meade, and his staff attacked the transfer portal and found plenty of arms. Zach Fruit comes from Eastern Michigan, where he started 14 games, leading the Eagles with 65 strikeouts as he looks to be a part of the starting rotation this season. In addition, Grady Gorgen arrives at Troy after two seasons at McHenry County College. He pitched 89.1 innings last season, finishing with 127 strikeouts, a 2.62 ERA, and 12.79 strikeouts per nine innings. Gorgen earned Second-team all-region IV recognition, was the ISCC Conference Pitcher of the year, and was an ISCC first-team all-conference selection. His 1.09 ERA was the best in D2 NJCAA.

Other names coming from the portal to be on the lookout for that will be wearing the cardinal, and white include Ben Thompson, Taiga Yamane, Noah Manning, Kristian Asbury, and Matt Mercer.

Incoming freshmen Zak Szabo and Matt Thompson are two newcomers who should immediately impact the program.

"Some of the main pen guys we will rely on will be newcomers Taiga Yamane, Noah Manning, Matt Mercer, Kristian Asbury, and returner Noah Janney," Meade said. A big wildcard will be what freshman Zak Szabo can do as he gets his feet wet to college baseball; our expectations are very high for him as well."

Troy opens its season with a weekend series against Evansville on Friday, February 17, at 4 p.m. at Riddle Pace Field.

Troy University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Kristian Asbury

Beau Fletcher

Zach Fruit

Brady Fuller

Keaton Fuller

Garrett Gainous

Grady Gorgen

Noah Janney

Mason Kenney

Noah Manning

Matt Mercer

Ryan Pettys

Logan Ross

Grayson Stewart

Zak Szabo

Ben Thompson

Matt Thompson

Taiga Yamane

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