Kornacki: Wolverines Might Lack Pitching Experience, But not Talent

By Steve Kornacki

• Kornacki: Fetter Discusses Coming Home to Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Chris Fetter is returning to his alma mater at a good time; a new pitching coach building a new rotation and bullpen for the University of Michigan baseball team.

Fetter replaces Sean Kenny, who took the same position at Georgia, after developing a formidable pitching staff that had each of its top starters and relievers move on following 2017.

The Wolverines had six pitchers -- starters Oliver Jaskie, Ryan Nutof and Michael Hendrickson and relievers Mac Lozer, Bryan Pall and Grant Reuss -- among the nation-leading 11 players selected in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft. Closer Jackson Lamb also departed.

But while returning pitching experience might be limited, the talent is not. Two of the freshmen -- right-hander Jeff Criswell from Portage (Michigan) Central and left-hander Angelo Smith from Oak Lawn (Illinois) Richards -- were drafted in June by the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox, respectively, but elected to attend Michigan.

And Fetter is excited about the possibilities five returning pitchers bring as "prime candidates" for the starting rotation in Alec Rennard, William Tribucher, Jayce Vancena, Tommy Henry and Karl Kauffmann.

"They've all shown very well to this point," said Fetter, adding that one of that group could move into a "high-leverage" reliever role.

Rennard, a senior, made 10 starts in 18 appearances and was 6-2 with a 4.43 ERA and 65 strikeouts in as many innings pitched with just 15 walks. Tribucher was 4-2 with a 2.63 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 37 2/3 innings, but needs to cut down on the 20 walks he issued. Henry (3-1, 3.19 ERA) also had more strikeouts than innings pitched, and Vancena (3-1, 3.00 ERA) had a great strikeouts-to-walks ratio of 28-to-4 in 39 innings. Kauffmann (1-0, 2.03 ERA) held batters to an anemic .208 batting average in limited action.

"Alec is first and foremost an extreme competitor," said Fetter. "He has the mentality you look for, and is going to get a chance to start for us right off the bat. He's also an ultimate strike-thrower."

The Wolverines open the season Friday (Feb. 16) against Army at the New York Mets' High-A facilities in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and the two squads will meet again Saturday and Sunday.

"Kauffmann and Tribucher are 'stuff' guys," said Fetter. "They have unbelievable movement on their pitches. Both have quality breaking balls that qualify as 'out' pitches, and now it's just a matter of harnessing it and putting hitters away. For those two, how often they get ahead in the count is key. We're trying to get guys out with three pitches or less.

"Tommy Henry is the ultimate command artist. He has about as good a command as I've seen for a kid his age at this level, and he's left-handed. We're very lucky to have him on this club. There's a bright future for him not just at this level, but beyond.

"Jayce Vancena is a senior with a lot of experience. He wants to win a championship. He's made strides, and now it's his turn. He's got a new breaking ball he's working with, and has gotten good results with it so far."

Fetter noted right-handed junior Troy Miller, who had summer success in the competitive Cape Cod League, as a progressing pitcher being looked at for late-inning relief work.

There also are other freshmen with high ceilings.

"Jeff Criswell and Angelo Smith are two freshmen who are going to be thrown to the fire," said Fetter. "They've shown real well in scrimmages, and we have another freshman, Ben Dragani, who is an ultimate competitor. He's a quiet kid, but has a different look in his eye when he's on the mound.

"Not only do you have those three, but Blake Beers (Manhattan Beach, California), who, if he doesn't get a stress fracture in his back last year, he's a high draft pick."

Baseball America recently rated Criswell the No. 50 freshman entering college baseball. Wolverine freshman outfielder Jesse Franklin, who was drafted by his hometown Seattle Mariners but came to Ann Arbor, was ranked No. 38, and only one other Big Ten player made that list.

But several returning players also are competing for innings.

"You have other guys who have worked their butts off like Benjamin Keizer," said Fetter, "who's coming back from labrum surgery two years ago. It's finally starting to click for him. The talent's there. It's just a matter of it coming together.

"I'm just so thankful for the opportunity to work with this staff, and I believe in what we can do here. I'm very fortunate."

Fetter, a Michigan All-American pitcher in 2008, returned to the Wolverines after serving the Los Angeles Dodgers as a minor-league pitching coordinator. He was the pitching coach for his college coach, Rich Maloney, at Ball State and also worked as a minor-league coach and pro scout after completing his pro pitching career.