Beaver pitching has been good, but ‘could be better’

Oregon State pitching coach Rich Dorman critiques his staff two-thirds of the way through the 2024 season (courtesy Dominic Cusimano)

Updated 4/27/2024 10: 50 AM

Hey Beaver Nation. Have you been lamenting the kind of season Oregon State could be having if the bullpen had stepped up more late in games?

Rich Dorman feels your pain. The fifth-year pitching coach of the ninth-ranked Beavers (31-9 overall, 10-7 in Pac-12 play) came into the season with high expectations. Those expectations haven’t subsided, but he wants more than what he has seen so far.

“As a whole, we have been pretty competitive,” Dorman says. “There have been moments where it look like we’re growing and learning how to take our game to another level.”

Heading into this weekend’s Civil War series at Goss Stadium — Friday’s game starts at 6 p.m. — Oregon State leads the Pac-12 in opposing batting average (.243) and ranks second in ERA (4.06) and fewest home runs allowed (28 in 40 games). The Beavers rank fifth in walks per game (3.9) but are last in hit-by-pitches — 65, or 1.6 per contest.

In conference games, OSU is third in ERA (4.67) and fourth in opposing batting average (.264).

“Could be better,” Dorman muses. “We have a good blend of younger and older guys. We need to continue to have our younger guys step up and not act like underclassmen, and we need to have our older guys stop pitching to the scoreboard and compete against the batter in the box.”

By comparison, Oregon State’s 2023 pitching staff had a 4.71 ERA and a .254 opposing batting average with 59 homers allowed in 61 games. In 2022, the numbers were a 4.19 ERA with a .246 opposing batting average and 59 homers in 66 games. Dorman’s best staff was in 2021, when the Beavers posted a 3.48 ERA and an opposing batting average of .215, with 38 homers in 61 contest.

That team featured Kevin Abel, Cooper Hjerpe and Jake Pfennigs in the regular rotation and Will Frisch, Bryant Salgado, Jake Mulholland and Jack Washburn in the bullpen. 

This season, starters Aiden May, Jacob Kmatz and Eric Segura have been solid to good in most of their starts this season. Midweek starters have struggled — mostly on the road, giving the starters an 0-1 record and a collective 7.17 ERA in 11 games 42 2/3 innings. Overall, the starters’ ERA is 4.50, the bullpen’s a tidy 3.62.

So the relievers have put in some good work. It’s their slip-ups in tight games, however, that have been costly as the Beavers try to put themselves in position to host a Super Regional in the NCAA Tournament.

Of OSU’s nine losses, eight were winnable games that were either tied or the Beavers held a lead in the closing innings.

2-23 at Arkansas: Game tied 4-4 in the eighth inning. Closer Bridger Holmes enters with one on and one out in the bottom half, gives up a triple for the winning run in a 5-4 loss.

3-17 at Utah: The Beavers, who led 9-0 in the fourth, but starter Segura yields six runs in that frame. The Beavers are still in front 10-9 when the relievers give up five runs in the seventh in a 14-11 loss.

3-28 at USC:  Game tied 1-1 in the ninth inning. Reliever Kellan Oakes hits the first two batters, then gives up a one-out walk-off single in a 2-1 loss.

4-14: vs. Stanford: The Beavers lead 7-6 after seven innings. Over the five innings, though, relievers gave up seven hits, a walk, three HBPs and seven earned runs in a 11-10 loss.

4-17 at Nevada: The Beavers lead 10-4 in the sixth. In a bullpen game, starter Laif Palmer pitches only one inning. Over the final three-plus innings, relievers give up four hits, three walks and seven runs — three unearned — in an 11-10 loss.

4-19 at California: Game is tied 6-6 after five innings. From that point, relievers give up five hits, four walks, three wild pitches and four earned runs in a 10-8 loss.

4-20 at California: The Beavers lead 7-3 in the seventh. From that point, relievers give up four hits, five walks, two HBPs and five runs — three unearned — in an 8-7 loss.

4-21 at California: The Beavers lead 3-2 after six. In the seventh, Palmer gives up two hits, two walks and two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning in a 4-3 loss.

Again, this is not to pin the blame solely on the bullpen, which has been good at times. Holmes started the season eight for eight in save situations before faltering of late.

“Really, it’s up to the whole stinking bullpen to start pitching to their capabilities,” Dorman says.

In recent years, the Pac-12 has been a hitters’ league. The conference ERA average is 5.16 — more than a run a game more than Oregon State’s. Last season, the conference average was 5.47. In 2022, it was 5.00. In 2021, it was 4.57. Those numbers are a little higher than in the Southeast Conference, college baseball’s other power league. This season, the SEC’s average is 4.75. In 2023, it was 5.09. In 2022, it was 4.56. In 2021, it was 4.43.

“In general, college baseball is an offensive game,” Dorman says. “There are no secrets anymore with the amount of video. Everybody knows everybody. Every hitting coach knows every pitcher’s pitches, how they throw, how their pitches move. There is so much technology out there. Couple that with the metal bat and maybe a juiced ball, the ball is going to fly.”

Does technology benefit the hitter more than the pitcher?

“Absolutely,” he says. “A pitcher can develop stuff, but hitters know every pitch guys throw, the heat mass, where they throw the pitches. … there is much more of a game plan than in the past. Five years ago, there was limited video, and all the coaches were passing around paper reports to each other. Now there is extensive video and all the new technology. There are no secrets anymore.”

Oregon State’s pitching statistics are better than or close to equal to its numbers of the previous season with one exception — batters hit by a pitch. OSU hurlers have hit 65 batters in 40 games after hitting 61 in 61 games a year ago. Sometimes-starter Jaren Hunter (15) and Holmes (10) have 25 HBPs, the rest of the staff a collective 40.

“Jaren likes to hit guys for whatever reason,” Dorman says with a laugh. “Some of our righties with good sweeping sliders have hit left-handers. Bridger’s sliders sweep good and sometimes they come inside. That’s the nature of the beast. It’s not like we have a game plan of ‘let’s hit somebody.’ Jared sinks it, and sometimes it hits people.”

Another factor: Oregon State’s defense. The Beavers have committed 47 errors in 40 games this season after committing 39 in 61 games in 2023, 43 in 66 games in 2022 and 39 in 61 games in 2021.

“That extends innings and allows more free bases,” Dorman says. “We have a pretty new crew out there defensively this season, especially with injuries in the outfield. As the season has gone along, our guys have gotten better. From a pitcher’s perspective, it’s something you can’t control. The mindset should be, ‘Stuff happens. Overcome it. Pick your teammates up. Make a pitch. Go get the next guy out.’ ”

A final factor: Oregon State’s pitching staff has only two southpaws — relievers Tyler Mejia and Nelson Keljo.

“Teams load up lefties against us,” Dorman says.

Kmatz has been the ace of this year’s staff.  As a sophomore, he struggled and was finally shut down late in the season with elbow trouble. The 6-3, 210-pound right-hander has been one of the best in the Pac-12 this season, sporting a 5-1 record with 49 strikeouts, 13 walks and 40 hits in 55 innings. He ranks fifth in the league in ERA (2.95) and opposing batting average (.209)

Junior right-hander Jacob Kmatz has been the ace of the staff this season (courtesy Dominic Cusimano)

“Jacob is healthy and now he is feeling good,” Dorman says. “The velo (velocity) is where it needs to be. His secondary stuff has gotten better. The changeup has been a good pitch for him. He is throwing the curveball for strikes and using both sides of the plate. He is a junior and he has been around awhile. He is just good, and he wants to win.”

Arizona transfer Aiden May missed three early starts due to an undisclosed injury but has performed well since his return. The 6-2, 195-pound pound junior is 2-0 with a 4.55 ERA, 31 strikeouts, 11 walks, 29 hits and a .242 opposing batting average in 31 2/3 innings.

“I talked to (an MLB) scouting director the other day who said (May) is so much better this year — way more of a pitcher than he has been in the past,” Dorman says. “Credit to Aiden and how he goes about his work. He has command of his sinker, and he is trusting his slider and mixing in the change. His overall growth has been really good.”

A freshman from Soledad, Calif., Segura is 5-0 with a 4.41 ERA, with 50 strikeouts, 10 walks, 47 hits and a .242 opposing batting average through 49 innings. He ranks ninth in the conference in strikeouts and 11th in opposing batting average. If not for a couple of blow-up innings, his numbers would be even better.

Eric Segura has shown promise as a member of the weekend rotation as a freshman (courtesy Dominic Cusimano)

“A year ago, he was in high school,” Dorman says. “Now he is a weekend pitcher in the Pac-12. He is going to have his moments, but Eric is going to be a special Beaver for a long time. His fastball is unique, has lots of carry and he can pitch with it in and out. He is fearless. There has been fatigue at times, but he is still growing into a young man. I am excited about watching him mature.”

Hunter had his best outing of the season Tuesday in a 7-2 victory against Portland, limiting the Pilots to a hit and a run with three strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings. The 6-2, 230-pound senior from Barlow is 1-0 with a 4.54 ERA. He has made 10 appearances and six starts, and over 35 2/3 innings has yielded 35 hits with eight strikeouts and 13 walks and a .257 opposing batting average.

“Jared had been pressing a little bit,” Dorman says. “I think he has turned the corner in that regard, and is starting to approach it the right way. He is a down-in-the-zone guy, and the height of the sinker was good (against the Pilots). I expect him to throw some big innings for us down the road.”

A year ago, Tyler Mejia was 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in 19 relief appearances and 25 2/3 innings. He allowed 17 hits and had 23 strikeouts, 14 walks and a .193 opposing batting average. This season, the 6-3, 200-pound sophomore left-hander is 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA in 10 2/3 innings, but his opposing batting average is .311.

“The numbers are what they are, but Ty’s overall execution has been better this season,” Dorman says. “Early in the year, he was trying to be somebody he’s not. He wasn’t commanding his stuff. Now he is starting to lock in.”

Holmes was having a dream season until the recent road trip. The 6-4, 210-pound junior right-hander from Feather River JC (Plumas County, Calif.) is 2-3 with a gaudy 1.25 ERA and a .151 opposing batting average. In 16 appearances and 21 2/3 innings, Holmes has given up only 11 hits with 31 strikeouts and 10 walks.

Closer Bridger Holmes has stumbled lately, but still sports a 1.25 ERA and a .151 opposing batting average (courtesy Dominic Cusimano)

“Bridger is a competitive kid,” Dorman says. “Any time you get a little chink in your armor, it’s a gut check. (Outfielder) Gavin Turley went through that as a freshman. The way Gavin finished last season, I expect a similar response to adversity from Bridger. He is still the best closer in America in my opinion.”

Kyle Scott, a 6-3, 210-pound senior right-handed transfer from Cal Poly who returned recently from an unspecified injury, is 0-0 with a 1.93 ERA and a .188 opposing batting average in four appearances and 4 2/3 innings.

“The key is to get this kid healthy,” Dorman says. “The goal by the end of the season is to have him available twice on a weekend. It’s not just the stuff that’s impressive; it’s his ability to make pitches regardless of situations. He has moxie late in a ballgame. We need that mature presence.”

Dorman is happy with the contributions made by right-hander Joey Mundt, who missed two seasons following Tommy John elbow surgery. The 6-5, 215-pound senior has been good in the middle innings, going 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA and .157 opposing batting average over 15 appearances and 18 innings.

“Joey is going to walk a couple and he might hit a guy, but at the end of the day, he’s pretty damn competitive,” Dorman says. “The heater is starting to come back — he hit 93 (mph) last weekend — and he has a plus slider. He could be lethal as he continues to get acclimated.”

More Dorman comments on other OSU relievers:

• Sophomore Kellan Oakes (3-1, 3.24, .196 OBA, 13 appearances and 16 2/3 innings, 11 hits, 14 strikeouts and eight walks): “We trust him to go in there and throw strikes. That’s why he gets the baseball, to throw the ball and pitch to contact. He can beat hitters, too, with his heater. His slider is getting better. We’re working on getting the changeup to come around.”

•  Junior Noah Ferguson (1-0, 3.86, .229 OBA, 11 appearances and 14 innings, 11 hits, 18 strikeouts and 12 walks): “Ferg has been the plug-in guy. When we need a guy to give us a couple of innings mid-week, we know he is going to compete. Sometimes he tries to overdo it. That’s when he tends to tug some pitches and have walks or hit guys. Getting him to trust who he is will bring out the best version of himself.”

• Sophomore AJ Hutcheson (2-2, 4.60, .190 OBA, 14 appearances and 15 2/3 innings, 11 hits, 13 strikeouts and nine walks): “When Hutch is down with his fastball is when he is at his best. He fields his position well. I trust him to hold runners. It should be over quick if Hutch is doing what he can do. He’s an early contact guy — then it’s let the defense work behind you.”

• Freshman Matthew Morrell (1-0, 5.06 .261 OBA, 12 appearances and 10 2/3 innings, 12 hits, seven strikeouts and eight walks): “Matthew was a high school outfielder who is super athletic. He is new to pitching. We are trying to carving out a role for him that is sustainable. I like to use him as a high groundball rate guy, sometimes to just to get one or two hitters and get us out of a tough spot. His fastball tops out at 96 with good tilt, and he can spin it.”

• Senior Ian Lawson (2-0, 4.70, .259 OBA, seven appearances and 15 1/3 innings, 15 hits, 12 strikeouts and 14 walks): “The last two outings against Nevada and Portland, that’s the real Ian Lawson. That’s what we need to see the rest of the year. He runs that fastball up to 94 and he’s starting to pitch with a little more passion. He could be huge for us down the stretch.”

• Sophomore Nelson Keljo (1-0, 5.24, .323 OBA, 12 appearances and 22 1/3 innings, 31 hits, 30 strikeouts and 10 walks): “It’s going to turn for Nellie. He has done a great job. Sometimes young pitchers have to get hit in the mouth before they start competing. He is learning to flip that switch. He has a huge heater. The progression to his secondary stuff has gotten much better. Nellie will be big for us down the stretch.”

• Freshman Laif Palmer (1-2, 20.25, .524 OBA, five appearances and four innings, 11 hits, 3 strikeouts, four walks): “Laif had surgery for torn ligaments in the thumb after the fall and never had scrimmages leading up to the season. Now he is learning on the fly. We have thrown him in some tough spots. He is going to be really good for us at some point.”

I asked Dorman about AJ Lattery, the 6-5, 250-pound senior who has been out since Feb. 21 with an undisclosed injury.

“He is coming back,” Dorman says. “He is getting close to being ready.”

Oregon State faces Oregon over four of the next five days — a three-game series at home beginning Friday and a non-conference Tuesday game in Eugene. The Beavers have beaten the Ducks in eight of their last nine meetings, but this year’s Oregon team (28-12 overall and ranked No. 24) is loaded with hitting.

The Ducks are batting a collective .296 with 64 homers in 40 games and are averaging 7.5 runs per contest. (Oregon State is hitting .313 with 78 homers and is averaging 9.2 runs). Six UO starters are hitting better than .290, led by 6-4, 220-pound junior first baseman Jacob Walsh (.315 with 16 homers, 45 RBIs and a .415 on-base percentage).  Freshman shortstop Maddox Molony is batting .403 with six homers and a .488 OBP in 72 at-bats.

“They have one of the best lineups in the Pac-12,” Dorman says. “They can put up some runs and have the ability to put the ball out of the yard. It’s going to be a great test.”

The weekend is crucial to both programs in terms of conference standings. Arizona leads at 13-5, followed by Oregon and Utah at 11-7 and Oregon State and Southern Cal at 10-7.

Dorman continues to think big about his staff. He is not wavering from his preseason goal of a national championship.

“I really do like this group,” the pitching coach says. “The more they come together, they can be almost unhittable. It’s on them to continue to grow, to go out and compete against the guys in the batter’s box instead of focusing on wins and losses. We have enough good arms on this staff to win the whole thing.”

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