Could the Arizona Wildcats survive a long-term injury to ace starting pitcher JC Cloney?
Fortunately, it appears the UA won’t have to find out. After the senior left-hander had to leave Friday’s start at Washington State in the first inning because of a biceps issue, the follow-up reports have been positive.
“It doesn’t seem to be a big deal,” said Wildcats coach Jay Johnson, whose team visits Grand Canyon on Tuesday night.
Cloney played catch the following day. Barring a setback, he could make his next scheduled start against Oregon on Thursday, Johnson said. That would be a huge relief, as Cloney has been one of the most effective pitchers in the country; he’s 6-0 with a 1.74 ERA.
No. 7 Arizona (23-8) does not have as much pitching depth as it has offensive firepower. But the staff has been trending in the right direction.
“We’re in a lot better place than we were a couple of weeks ago,” Johnson said. “Last year’s crew didn’t start out pitching exceptionally from the start, either. We kind of had to find our way.
“Some guys are really gaining confidence. I like it. Every team has issues that they have to work through, and I think we’re doing that with our staff.”
Two right-handers in particular have stepped up recently. Sophomore Cody Deason and junior Tylor Megill have provided stellar work, primarily out of the bullpen, after rough starts to the season.
Deason, who got critical outs during Arizona’s postseason run as a freshman in 2016, yielded six earned runs in two-thirds of an inning in his first appearance of 2017. His next two outings weren’t much better, resulting in an ERA of 18.00 through four frames.
Deason has made eight appearances since without allowing an earned run. He struggled a bit in Sunday’s 6-5 victory in Pullman, walking the only two batters he faced. Before that, he had allowed only two hits in seven innings against Pac-12 opponents with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 12-2.
“He got to a place where he’s demanded more of himself in terms of preparation and … what he was going to put into being as good as he can be,” Johnson said. “The stuff is there. It’s all there.”
The same applies to Megill, whose fastball hit 95 mph on the radar gun at WSU’s Bailey-Brayton Field. Megill — who transferred to Arizona from Cypress (Calif.) College after starting his career at Loyola Marymount — began the season as a starter. It didn’t go well.
Megill lasted less than two innings in his first two starts. He made three in all, posting a 14.21 ERA in 6ª innings with four walks and five hit batters.
Since then, pitching exclusively in relief, Megill has allowed only one earned run 8ª innings with one walk (which was intentional) and nine strikeouts. Last week he pitched 5ª scoreless innings against Arizona State and Washington State.
“He’s starting to be what we thought he would be,” Johnson said of Megill, who earned his first save as a Wildcat on Sunday, securing a series victory.
“He’s just improving — the mound presence, the focus. He’s settled in, made some adjustments with his delivery. His release point is more consistent. He’s starting to attack hitters the right way.”
Inside pitch
- Sophomore right-hander Michael Flynn did not pitch against Washington State but should be available against Grand Canyon. Flynn had to leave the USC game on April 2 because of forearm discomfort. He was held out over the weekend as a precaution, Johnson said.
- Arizona is ranked seventh by both Baseball America and D1Baseball.com. Oregon State remains No. 1. The Beavers are 28-1 and have won 23 in a row, including a sweep over Arizona last month. The Wildcats have won 7 of 8 since that series.
- Junior first baseman JJ Matijevic was named Pac-12 Player of the Week after hitting .563 with three home runs and 11 RBIs. Matijevic leads the nation with 20 doubles. He leads Arizona with six home runs and is tied for team-high honors with 38 RBIs. He’s batting .395, one percentage point behind team leader Alfonso Rivas.
