CBD Column: Checking out 2011 Team USA (Pitchers)

Senior writer Kat Cornetta and myself both had the opportunity to take in a couple of game of the USA Collegiate National Team’s tour throughout New England last week. On Saturday night, we made the trip to Holyoke, Massachusetts to see the Holyoke Blue Sox take on the USA squad but the weather would not agree with us as only one pitch was thrown before the skies opened up. On Sunday evening, the National team made the trek to Lynn, Massachusetts to play against the North Shore Navigators. Team USA walked away with a 4-1 win. The next afternoon the National team took on an NECBL Select squad which won 4-3 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. This is the first of a two part series of post focusing on pitchers.

Mark Appel (Stanford)

Appel is a 6’5 190 pound right handed pitcher out of Stanford that is draft eligible in 2012 MLB Draft. He pitched one inning on June 27th against the NECBL All-Stars giving up one hit and no runs out of the bullpen. He featured the best fastball on the team sitting between 96-98 MPH but could use some work on his breaking stuff right now.

Hoby Milner (Texas)

Milner is a 6’2 165 pound lefty out of Texas that is eligible for the 2012 MLB Draft. He also went an inning striking out two batters against the NECBL All-Stars. His curveball was above average and had an average fastball which he was able to spot very well.

Andrew Mitchell (TCU)

Mitchell is a 6’3 205 pound righthander out of TCU who is eligible for the 2013 MLB Draft. He worked a very quick inning against the NECBL All-Stars showing a good fastball at 92-93 and a decent curveball.

Corey Knebel (Texas)

Knebel is a 6’3 195 pound righthanded pitcher out of Texas who was named the 2011 NCBWA Stopper of the Year. He also pitched a scoreless inning against the NECBL All-Stars.

Kevin Gausman (LSU)

Gausman is a 6’4 185 pound righthanded pitcher out of LSU who was a highly regarded recruit for the Tigers. He struggled throughout the 2011 season with consistency as he went 5-6 with a 3.51 ERA. He didn’t pitch well in his three innings of work against the NECBL All-Stars giving up a run on two hits and two walks while not being very composed on the mound.

Marcus Stroman (Duke)

Stroman is a two way player but his real future is on the mound. He is only listed at 5’9 185 pounds but has some K-Rod type attitude with a fastball that sat at 92-94 MPH while displaying the best curveball on the team during his two appearances against the NECBL All-Stars and the North Shore Navigators.