Rowlett infielder stumbles into becoming starting pitcher
06:44 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 16, 2008
By KEITH WHITMIRE / The Dallas Morning News
kwhitmire@dallasnews.com
When Rowlett second baseman Andrew Smith comes to the mound to encourage a struggling pitcher, he knows what he's talking about.
Smith is 7-0 as a starter after beating Sachse, 2-0, on Tuesday. He has a 1.47 ERA.
Yet the senior became a pitcher almost by accident.
One day last season, a few of Rowlett's position players were goofing around by throwing off the mound.
"There was a break in the practice, and some of the other guys were on the mound," Smith said. "So I thought, 'You know what? I might as well throw a couple.' "
Smith's throws caught the eye of coach Paul Carmon. The rest is Rowlett baseball history.
"He threw the ball, I'd say 84-85 mph, and I said 'Wow!' " Carmon said.
"I said, 'We need to take a look at that.' "
Carmon instructed Smith to start throwing in the bullpen the rest of his junior season. He made his mound debut in a preseason game this year and admits to being a little nervous.
"I kind of was, just because it was the beginning of the season," Smith said. "I'd never had the ball up on the mound. Other than that I was fine, because I had been throwing all my life."
It's not a complete Cinderella story, since Smith had pitched all through his youth league years. He pitched a little as a freshman at Rowlett but gave it up after developing arm trouble.
"A lot of those kids pitch too much when they're younger," Carmon said. "I think he got a couple of years off, and his arm got better."
Smith said his arm hasn't given him any trouble since he took up pitching again. Maturation and the time spent in the bullpen have made his arm stronger.
"Over this off-season, he really worked hard on developing his pitches, and he's made himself into a good pitcher," said fellow starter Chase Castilla.
Besides a fastball in the mid-80s, Smith throws a good slider-curve and change-up. He's proudest that he has issued just seven walks in 47 2/3 innings.
"All he [Carmon] told me at the beginning of the season was my job was to throw it up over the white plate," Smith said. "As far as I know, I'm doing my job."
Smith isn't just putting the ball in play and letting his defense do the work. He also has 44 strikeouts.
"I'm not a guy that will go up there and blow you away with the fastball," Smith said. "But I'll hit all my spots, and I'll get you out."
Smith's effectiveness has been a big part of Rowlett's undefeated season. The Eagles are 24-0-2 and 11-0 in District 10-5A, yet pitching was something of an unknown heading into the season.
Carmon said his returning pitchers had thrown just 14 varsity innings before the season, but now pitching is a strength. Discovering a third starter with Smith's stuff has put Rowlett over the top.
"It's really crazy how he just came out of nowhere," catcher Tyler Applequist said. "Everything has just come easy for him this year. It's just natural, I guess."
Smith certainly makes it look easy. After all, if a second baseman can take the mound and throw strikes, anyone can. Right?
"Seriously, that's what I tell them," Smith said. "Whenever a pitcher's struggling on the mound, I'll call time and go up there and tell them to just throw it."
Rowlett (24-0-2, 11-0 10-5A) at Garland (11-13, 4-7), 4 p.m. Friday
FULL OF ACES
Andrew Smith isn't the only standout on Rowlett's pitching staff. A look at the Eagles' other top pitchers:
Pitcher Cl. W-L ERA
Tait Norris Jr. 7-0 1.63
Has a good change-up that he can throw at any time in the count.
Chase Castilla Sr. 6-0 1.33
A power pitcher with a team-leading 43 strikeouts. Fastball in the high-80s with a good slider.
David Jackson Jr. 1-0 1.24
The closer, he has 33 strikeouts in 17 innings. Throws a great slider.