Feb. 11, 2014
By Matt Allibone, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- In his 20 years of coaching baseball at the collegiate level, new Penn State Baseball head coach Rob Cooper has learned that when it comes to pitchers and catchers, there are certain things that can't be taught.
While a coach can always help an individual develop their pitches or work on their defense, it's the intangible aspects, such as the cohesion between battery mates that needs to be developed on its own.
"If you have a catcher that's willing to be a coach on the field and has the knowledge and character to back it up, because pitchers really respond to that," Cooper said. "On the flip side, if pitchers are willing to truly listen to their catcher and get their feedback without taking it personal, then it can become a real special dynamic."
As Cooper enters his first year at the helm of the Nittany Lions, he believes that his pitching staff's ability to capture that dynamic will be vital to the team success.
From what he has seen so far since spring practice began in late January, Cooper believes they are on their way to finding that element.
"I've been extremely pleased with their progress from the beginning of the fall up until now," Cooper said. "I think we've got guys who have gotten better and are really working hard with the new coaching staff to learn the different terminology."
With seven pitchers that made double-digit appearances last year returning to the team, including senior Greg Welsh and junior T.J. Jann, the Nittany Lions don't lack experience; they are just looking to establish consistency under the tutelage of new pitching coach Brian Anderson.
Welsh, who finished second on the team with nine starts and a 4.09 ERA last season, said that the biggest focus for he and his teammates in the preseason has been learning to harness their control better.
"One of the problems we had last year was not filing up the strike zone and not putting pressure on the hitters to make contact," Welsh said. "Usually the walks are what kill you so it's really big to throw strikes and (Anderson) has really harped on that this year."
Anderson, who spent the previous six seasons as the pitching coach at Radford University, echoed Welsh's sentiments.
"In order to get people out you have to throw strikes," Anderson said. "They've worked hard on doing that and one of the main keys we've stressed is attacking the strike zone."
So far, Welsh and his teammates have responded enthusiastically to the training regime that Anderson has put them on.
Although he has been anything but easy on his new staff, the pitchers have started to adopt the relentless attitude that Anderson preaches.
"He's got a different style than we're used to, but I really like how he holds everyone accountable for what they are doing," Welsh said. "Whether it's on the mound or in conditioning, he's constantly on us and it's good to have somebody that genuinely cares."
Of course, all of the progress the pitchers have made won't mean nearly as much without a special player behind the plate, and both Anderson and Cooper believe they have that player in senior Alex Farkes.
Farkes, who started 32 games for the Blue and White last season, has already established himself as a team leader and a favorite of the pitching staff.
"I don't elect team captains but I would definitely point to Alex as a leader and he's been that way since I got here," Cooper said. "I couldn't ask for a better senior to inherit."
For Farkes, handling a pitching staff is just as big a priority as his hitting and defense, if not even more so.
With 15 different pitchers on the roster, the Boston, Mass. native knows how imperative it is for him to be able to handle each individual.
"There are pitchers on the team with specific pitches and late movement that you have to be prepared for," Farkes said. "You don't change your setup much but your mindset and what you're thinking with each pitcher is the one thing that will change."
Moving forward, both Cooper and Anderson said that they would like to see a set staff with four starters and one true closer, but that time will tell who steps up to earn those roles.
With sophomore Nick Hedge, senior Ian Parvin, and junior Patton Taylor set to battle with Jann and Welsh for starts, along with sophomore Jack Anderson and senior pitcher/outfielder Zach Ell competing in the bullpen, the Nittany Lions feel they have plenty of depth in their staff.
"I'm big on guys having roles and having four (starters) is really good but they've got to be the right four guys," Cooper said. "In the bullpen, we'd ideally like to have that one guy we can give the ball to (in the ninth)."
By no means are the Nittany Lions satisfied with where they are, but according to their coaches, if they stay on the same course, they have the chance to make their mark on the Big Ten and college baseball in general.
"The whole season is going to be a process for us but I think it is going to be a fun process," Anderson said. "We're not there yet but it's a matter of striving to get there."