The Oregon starting rotation has had quite the up and down season. In the chart, each starting pitcher’s appearances are awarded “game scores,” or ratings– the higher the better. (Kenny Jacoby)
Cole Irvin
Cole Irvin came into the 2015 season with high expectations. As a freshman in 2013, he posted a 12-3 record and 2.48 ERA while throwing the second-most innings in school history.
As a sophomore, Irvin underwent Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow and missed the entire 2014 season. He has made eight starts in 2015, but not one has been considered a quality start because his pitch limit has prevented him from lasting six full innings.
Irvin’s starts have been consistenly mediocre this season. Aside from his abysmal start versus Arizona — in which he lasted five outs and allowed eight earned runs on seven hits — he at least hasn’t put the Ducks in a position to lose. He throws a high ratio of strikes to balls and walks only 5.79 percent of batters he faces. He’s a pitcher who will keep Oregon in the game. The offense just needs to step up its run support.
Once his pitch count is removed, Irvin will be the guy the Ducks turn to against the ace of an opposing team or in a must-win game. After missing an entire season, the Ducks must be wondering just how much longer his recovery will take.
David Peterson
Freshman David Peterson made a strong first impression in his first start as a Duck, delivering six strong and allowing just two hits to Hawaii. His 42.2 innings pitched and 47 strikeouts lead the team. Based on his body of work, the lefty has been the workhorse of the team.
Peterson bounced back from a rocky start against Cal and then some against Arizona State, striking out six in 7.1 innings strong. Although they posted 14 hits and 15 runs in seven innings combined off Harber and Irvin, the Sun Devils mustered just three hits and two runs in their win over Peterson. Based on linear weights game scores, his starts against Arizona State and Hawaii have been the two best by any Duck this season.
What Peterson has done since the Arizona State game, however, is concerning. He has allowed 18 hits and 14 earned runs in his last two starts against Arizona and Michigan State. Granted, no Oregon pitcher succeeded during the two series sweeps, but Peterson offered way too much plate. Opposing hitters made superb contact with the ball, hitting .400 and .500 on balls in play respectively while launching three home runs.
Conor Harber
Conor Harber was selected in the 2013 and 2014 MLB Drafts, but turned both down to play a year at Oregon. Through the first half of the season, it seemed like a great decision. Harber dominated from the bullpen, maintaining a WHIP of 0.88 in 25 innings while entering behind Cole Irvin. He picked up three wins, including six innings of hitless, scoreless relief against New Mexico State—the best overall appearance by any Duck in 2015.
Since throwing that gem back on Feb. 19, Harber’s performances have steadily declined. He finally became a regular starter on March 20, but has not found success in the starting rotation. In his three starts, he has had a WHIP of 1.58 and watched nine earned runs cross the plate. In his last start, he left the game just two outs into the third inning with tightness in his shoulder. His status for the future is uncertain.
Follow Kenny Jacoby on Twitter @KennyJacoby
