from the Johnson City Press... I'll post the article in case you aren't registered.
Bucs like looks of young right-hander
By Trey Williams
Press Sports Writer
twilliams@johnsoncitypress.com
Based on the improvement the first half of Jeremy Hall’s sophomore season has revealed, East Tennessee State coach Tony Skole pulls no punches about his right-handed pitcher’s upside.
“He’s got a chance to be one of the best to ever come through here,” Skole said Friday night.
Hall will start the opening game of today’s home doubleheader with Western Carolina (2-7, 12-16) at 2 p.m. The former Daniel Boone star is 4-4 with a 3.86 ERA., a full two runs lower than his 472/3 innings produced as a freshman. He has struck out 31 in 49 innings while walking 12.
Hall attributes much of his improvement to experience.
“It was nerve-racking sometimes, especially coming out of the bullpen last year,” Hall said. “And I have more confidence in my defense this year. It seemed like last year I tried to paint the corners with every pitch I’d throw.”
Hall has also developed a changeup.
“It’s improved drastically,” Hall said. “I was scared to throw it last year. Now, it’s my No. 2 pitch.”
He’s still a power pitcher with two fastballs, and can run his two-seam fastball at right-handed batters’ hands. Skole and the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Hall agree that he gets more movement with less velocity.
“He’s a big, strong boy who’s going to be anywhere from 88 to 92 (mph),” Skole said. “He can go get 92 when he wants to, but his ball moves more around 87 or 88. He doesn’t have a dominant breaking ball, but he has learned to locate it.
“In high school, Jeremy could throw the ball by about everybody. Now, he’s learned how to pitch.”
Skole is confident Hall will give the Buccanners (13-16, 4-8) the chance for a good start in a three-game series they desperately need to win. ETSU has lost two of three in each of its first four series (versus Davidson, Georgia Southern, North Carolina-Greensboro and Elon).
“Jeremy gives us a chance every time he goes out,” Skole said. “His mechanics have improved and he has a good, live arm. But the thing I’m most proud of is his work ethic. He wasn’t a great worker when he got here, but he has become one.
“He’s very poised, very relaxed and such a nice kid. But inside there is a great competitor.”
Notes: ETSU is getting exceptional numbers from catcher/closer Caleb Moore. The junior from Knoxville is hitting .444, slugging .697 and leads the team with five home runs and four saves. ... Shane Byrne has three triples while the rest of the team has combined for two. Byrne, a sophomore from Science Hill, is also hitting .342 with seven doubles and four home runs, which is why he’s second on the team in slugging (.568). Byrne’s four home runs are tied for second on the team with Andy Howdeshell and Matt Traylor. ... Blake Church leads the team with 27 RBIs.
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