With Tyler Holton done for the season with a torn UCL that requires surgery, the remainder of the Florida State pitching staff has undergone further examination — not from medical professionals, but from writers, especially here at The Daily Nole.
One name that head coach Mike Martin and company are really high on is redshirt junior Andrew Karp. Like Holton, Karp was selected late in last year’s draft, but elected to return to school.
Karp had what many would consider an up-and-down campaign, finishing 2-3 with a 4.48 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings. When one looks further into the numbers however, the argument could be made that Karp was actually much better a season ago.
When examining last season’s body of work, many remember the 11-strikeout gem he tossed in Gainesville in a 1-0 loss to eventual national champion Florida. Karp however was good far more often than he was bad a season ago. The problem was one rough month.
During a 5-game stretch from late March through April last season, Karp was woefully ineffective. In those five appearances — all starts — against Jacksonville, Florida Gulf Coast, Virginia and Florida twice, Karp was roughed up for 20 earned runs in 11 1/3 innings while striking out just six and going 0-3 over that span.
In the 12 other contests where Karp threw however, he was stellar. Over those games, Karp went 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 55 innings pitched.
So far this season, Karp has looked like the pitcher who threw in the 12 most-recently mentioned appearances. In two appearances — one start — Karp is 1-0, allowing just one run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts.
The biggest question concerning Karp moving forward will be how he’ll be used. Karp could remain in his midweek role as he was most of last season, but could also find himself in the weekend rotation with Cole Sands and Drew Parrish.
Austin Pollock will get the ball against Troy on Sunday, but the season-ending injury to Holton wasn’t learned until after Karp’s start in Tuesday’s 5-2 win over South Florida. Karp also has good enough stuff to be a key piece toward the back end of the bullpen.
While Karp’s role remains the biggest question, the most important might be whether or not he can avoid a rough patch like last season. There’s no way to realistically replace the presence of someone as good as Holton, but if Karp can stay on his A-game, it will hurt a lot less.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
You must be logged in to post a comment Login