Going from A to Z with Mitch Canham talking Beaver baseball …

Coach Mitch Canham (osubeavers.com)

Mitch Canham is upbeat as he prepares for Christmas with his wife, Marlis, and their children, eight-year-old Mack and six-year-old Mya. He’s a little bit healthier, too.

Oregon State’s second-year baseball coach had his left knee scoped two weeks ago.

“Been bothering me for awhile, but I didn’t want to miss out on the fun last season,” Canham says. “Finally I decided, ‘Let’s get it cleaned up so I can get back to running the bases like I did in college.’ I’m moving up and down the stairs pretty good already.”

Canham, 36, will never have the springs he possessed when, as a savvy, solid-hitting catcher, he helped the Beavers to back-to-back national championships in 2006 and ’07.

But he wants his players to show the same kind of resiliency that Oregon State did in ’06 after losing 11-1 to Miami in its College World Series opener. The Beavers rebounded to win seven straight elimination games and rule the roost in college baseball.

“We got stomped our first game,” Canham says. “What happened after that was special.”

Canham’s first season at the OSU coaching helm was anything but what he envisioned. The Beavers were 5-9 and on the plane for a Pac-12-opening series at Arizona when COVID-19 ended their season prematurely.

The record was a little deceiving. After splitting four games with New Mexico, BYU and Gonzaga (twice) in Arizona, the Beavers dropped two of three at ninth-ranked Mississippi State and divided four games at San Diego State. OSU then got swept 6-0, 4-0 and 3-2 in a home-opening series against always-tough Cal Santa Barbara, which was 13-2 after the weekend.

“Your record is your record,” Canham says. “Last year was a different mix. There were a lot or changes for the (players). We didn’t have the greatest start in the world. I felt like we were ready to gain momentum, but we never got the chance.

“But our guys turned the corner. We told them, ‘whatever was in your head last year, it has to be different.’ They have a different mentality. You can tell these guys are hungry. They understand a season can be taken away from them in a flash. There is a better understanding that every pitch matters. It’s changed how we go about work every day.”

Because of the shortened 2020 season, all players were given an additional year of eligibility. The roster is almost the same as last year’s, with the 2019 recruiting class adding depth. Oregon State lost pitcher Christian Chamberlain and first baseman Alex McGarry to the pros. Pitchers Kai Murphy and Andrew Walling, infielder Jake Harvey and outfielder J.D. McLaughlin all transferred to other schools.

Darwin Barney (osubeavers.com)

One of the biggest additions was assistant coach Darwin Barney, the shortstop on Oregon State’s CWS teams from 2005-07 who played eight years in the major leagues. Barney resigned his position as manager of the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to become his former teammate’s right-hand man in Corvallis, though he is commuting from his home in Lake Oswego.

“We’re planning on Darwin being here as long as possible,” Canham says. “It was a big decision for him to leave pro ball. We had a lot of talks about what is like in college coaching. He did a lot of research. It’s been great to see how creative he is and how well he connects with the guys. He provides for such a fun, competitive environment.

“We have a great relationship. He has a great relationship with all the coaches. He has expressed many times how much he loves working with the guys and being here and being a Beav.”

Rich Dorman (osubeavers.com)

The rest of the staff remains the same, with Ryan Gipson the first-base coach, Rich Dorman the pitching coach, Jake Rodriguez the director of operations and Joey Wong the undergrad assistant. Barney, Gipson and Wong were all teammates of Canham’s at OSU while Rodriguez was an All-Pac-12 catcher with the Beavers in 2013.

“Adding Darwin to this mix, I started to see Coach Gipson open up and flourish,” Canham says. “Coach Dorman is more comfortable, settled in and building relationships with his guys. I want them to be themselves and be creative and not worry about me bearing down on them and looking over their shoulders. When they’re allowed to take on stuff they’re interested in, they kill it.”

Fall ball went “really well,” Canham says. “I loved it.”

The Beavers had 45 practice days from early September to Nov. 20.

“With a lot of the down time in the summer, understanding a lot of these guys didn’t play summer ball, we had a lot of work we wanted to get in,” the OSU mentor says.

COVID prevention was a priority. The players were tested regularly through the fall. There were zero positive tests.

“We didn’t want to get anyone sick,” Canham says. “With all the restrictions, there was a lot of education of how to go about things the right way, not only to protect the baseball family but also our community and the other student-athletes on campus. We did a great job of bubbling ourselves.”

Oregon State’s facilities were open to student-athletes of all sports.

“The guys took full advantage of it, whether in the weight room or using batting cages or being on the field,” he says. “The weather was tremendous this fall for being able to be outside.

“We divided up. (At Goss Stadium) we used the Knights’ locker room, the pro locker room and our locker room so the guys were spread out. We spent a huge portion of our time outside. The guys handled the situation well, wearing masks all day at practice. We were sticklers with it. The older guys — even some of the younger guys like (freshman infielder) Garrett Forrester — took charge and said, ‘Let’s do it the right way.’ ”

The coaches began with individual and small group sessions to start. Soon the Beavers went to live team action and got in scrimmage sessions several times a week.

“Some days, we would play three innings; other days, we’d get in nine innings,” Canham says. “For the most part, we were staying in the three- to six-inning range. The pitchers needed to throw and the hitters needed to get some ABs.”

Canham carried a full complement of 45 players in the fall, including 11 true freshmen and several JC recruits.

When I ask Canham what he sees as the team strengths in 2021, he is quick with an answer.

“The guys’ togetherness,” he says. “I liked the group last year a lot, but from what I’m seeing and hearing from these guys this year, they’re so tight. Everyone is wanting it.

“From a skill set, I’d say (strengths are) pitching, defense and some pretty solid bats. A lot of guys made some great jumps in training through the fall. (Andy) Armstrong is a prime-time shortstop. We’ve moved (Ryan) Ober to second base this year and (Jake) Dukart to third. We have four guys in the outfield (Micah McDowell, Joe Casey, Kyler McMahan and Preston Jones) who cover ground and look strong offensively.”

Junior Troy Claunch returns at catcher.

“Troy has worked on a lot of areas of growth and his approach at bat,” Canham says. “In his at-bats this fall, he struck out only once. He’s been working on covering the plate and adjusting to off-speed pitches.”

There are several options at first base, including returnees Justin Boyd and Cesar Valero Sanchez along with Kyle Froemke, the latter a JC transfer who began his college career at Oregon. Forrester, out of Fair Oaks, California, is also a candidate.

“He has wanted to be a Beaver since he was born,” Canham says. “For a freshman to handle a fastball in the mid to upper ‘90s is impressive. Another guy who has been trending up is Matt Gretler. Darwin feels comfortable playing him anywhere in the infield.”

Paul Myro, a freshman from Las Vegas, could figure in immediately in the infield.

“Paul comes with a football background,” Canham says. “This is the first year just playing baseball. He can hit and has a lot of arm strength. He’s going to be special.”

Kevin Abel (osubeavers.com)

Junior right-hander Kevin Abel, who was a CWS-record 4-0 in pitching the Beavers to the 2018 national title, returns after missing most of two seasons following Tommy John elbow surgery in April 2019.

“Kevin is healthy as can be,” Canham says. “He looks physical. He built up over the summer. His throwing program looks great. Through eyes or metrics, you’re going to see not the Kevin Abel of his freshman year, but a mature and polished pitcher. We’re very excited for Kevin to get the ball on the weekends.”

Freshman left-hander Cooper Hjerpe (6-2, 190) and sophomore right-hander Jake Pfennigs (6-7, 210) are the other likely weekend starters.

“Cooper was throwing 92-94 (mph) in the fall, and he’s also developed a changeup,” Canham says. “It was nice having him in the bullpen last year, but mentally, physically and stuff-wise, he’s looking like he’ll get a starting role.

“In my mind, Jake is the most improved guy on the bump. We were seeing 92-95 out of his hands this fall. He has cleaned up his breaking ball and is throwing it consistently for a strike. The biggest gain for him is overall mentality. He goes to practice, he looks like he’s on a mission. There’s no goofing around. He wants to get at it.”

Candidates for mid-week starters include junior right-hander Nathan Burns, freshman right-hander Will Frisch and sophomore right-hander Joey Mundt.

“Nathan is probably going to take on the hybrid role,” Canham says. “He can start, but he is also is a guy who can come in for long relief and also finish games. He can do it all. I’ve seen him climb it up in the 94s and 95s. In a short stint, he can throttle it up a little bit.”

Potential closers include Burns, Frisch, senior southpaw Jake Mulholland and junior right-hander Mitchell Verburg. Mulholland, a decorated closer his first three years at OSU, had an ill-fated start early last season and never recovered. Verburg is coming off Tommy John surgery.

“Jake will be back in the pen,” Canham says. “It’s definitely different starting and closing games. Watching him during his throwing program, Coach Dorman will tell you, ‘I like this guy.’ I can see Jake finishing up games again doing what he did as a three-time All-American. Mitch is progressing nicely. Will is super durable. He throws a cannonball. He spent a lot of time this fall working on his off-speed stuff.”

Canham also mentioned junior right-hander Reid Sebby, freshman right-hander Jack Washburn and three JC transfers —

right-handers Brock Townsend and Bryant Salgado and left-hander Chase Watkins.

“Reid throws more strikes than anybody,” Canham says. “He attacks the strike zone. He’s very athletic. He has big energy and he wants it. Jack has a real-deal slider. I can see coming out of the pen with a runner on third and one out. Jack is gonna strike the first guy out and get a weak ground ball from the second.

“Chase is a 6-6 lefty and Bryant a righty. They both throw in the ‘90s. We have a lot of guys on staff who have a heavy fastball.”

Winter terms starts at OSU on Jan. 4. The baseball players will quarantine for a few days, then undergo COVID tests. Once the tests are clear, the coaches will begin individual and small-group workouts. The first official team practice is Jan. 29.

When will the season begin?

“That’s the million-dollar question,” Canham says with a chuckle. “We have a series of changes in our schedule. It’s kind of in a holding pattern right now. We’re preparing for different scenarios. The goal is to play 56 regular-season games, and to figure out how to do that the smartest way.

“As a conference, we’re working through that. There’s a balance. You don’t want to do it too early as things are constantly changing. I’m still very confident about being down in Arizona to start the season, but we haven’t released any kind of schedule.”

The coach says he can’t wait for Season Two of the Canham Era.

“One of the coolest parts was the exit meeting with the guys in November,” he says. “Almost all the guys — freshmen to seniors — told us something to the effect of, ‘I’m bummed I’m going home. I want to stay here and be with the guys.’ It’s fun to see how much they’re enjoying each other and developing a chemistry.”

Readers: what are your thoughts on Beaver baseball during year two of the Coach Canham era? Share your comments below.

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