Posted by NoleCC

By Bill Kristoph

The Seminole Pitching staff is the key to FSU’s baseball season year in and year out. FSU’s lack of offense in recent years has strained the pitching staff and pressured them to perform perfectly each time out. On teams in the past, the success has been determined by strong starters and great middle relief. FSU always seems to have a closer that is solid, but if FSU can get through 7 or 8 innings to get there, then the closer is rendered irrelevant. Even worse for the Noles, Luke Tucker is out at least three weeks, and you read different message boards, it might be a whole lot longer than that. If FSU can get to the closer, will Buster Posey be able to do double duty at Catcher and Closer?

Bryan Henry and Michael Hyde have been announced as weekend starters. The third starter remains a mystery at the moment, but Casey Whitmer is a good bet. The coaches have been dishing out the praise for the freshman. Henry, the only remaining starter from last year’s rotation should be good again this year. If his early season dominant ways can continue throughout the season, the Noles will be in good shape on Friday nights. Michael Hyde, although never appearing dominant, has a 3-0 playoff record and went 9-1 last year. Hopefully he can continue to sneak up on opponents. Casey Whitmer throws in the low 90’s and rumor has it, he has a great breaking ball that makes hitters weak in the knees.

The bullpen for FSU has a range of talent.  The key might be Travis Burge, who has closer talent, but needs to match his .201 against average with lefties to the righties.  If he overcomes that fact,the Noles will have found a great setup man. At closer, Buster Posey will be doing double duty as he leaves Catcher if the Noles need him in the 9th.  Seminole fans should hope for a speedy recover by Luke Tucker, but also need to realize that FSU shouldn’t need him until late in the regular season.  If he needs more than three weeks, he should take it.

Stay Tuned for Part 4 where I’ll talk about our coaching, and what Seminole fans can expect.