As Ozark pitcher Caden O’Donnell transitions from closer to starter, he relates it was actually more of an adjustment for him last year to go from starter to converted reliever and eventually the Tigers’ closer.
After not being on Ozark’s varsity roster at the beginning of the season, O’Donnell responded to late-inning, pressure-packed moments with a 2-0 W-L record, three saves and a 2.74 ERA.
This season, he and Luke Baer are at the top of the Tigers’ starting rotation.
“I'd never been a bullpen guy before last year and honestly it was a really an exposure to me,” O’Donnell said. “Being a bullpen guy is a big role in the team. You’re coming in and shutting the other team down. I can be a closer. But I'm more comfortable with being a starter.”
Coach Justin Sundlie figures even if O’Donnell is a full-time starter for Ozark over the next two years, he picked up valuable reps by working out of the bullpen.
“If he pitches in college one day, (college coaches) are going to put you where they need you,” Sundlie said. “Having the mentality of, ‘I can get outs with guys on base,’ makes you valuable. He like to start and he’s earned it 100 percent.”
Pitch count wasn’t a worry at all for O’Donnell’s as a reliever, but it will be at the front of his mind this year.
“I want to attack the hitters early and often, get ahead in counts,” O’Donnell said. “I’ve really embraced pitching to contact because I don't throw too hard. Make (hitters) put the ball in play, we’ve got a great defense out here. I trust our defense i... Click here to read full article
ARTICLE SOURCE:
