PROFILING USA BASEBALL’S 2010 SIGNEES ... CALEB STRICKLAND
MOBILE, Ala. ? Though Caleb Strickland thought about waiting until the spring to sign a National Letter of Intent, he decided his offer from the University of South Alabama was just too good to pass up.
The 6-5, 210-pound sophomore from Tallahassee, Fla. got his first taste of Stanky Field when Northwest Florida State College played an exhibition against the Jags this fall. In his one inning of work, he set down Nathaniel Lami, Zach Grichor and David Doss in order. If that outing was any indication, Strickland has a bright future ahead of him at USA.
“He didn’t pitch a lot this fall, so a lot of people didn’t get to see him, but he threw against us and was up to 92 (mph) with his fastball,” assistant coach Scot Sealy said. “We think he’s got the potential to be a draft pick, and hopefully he’ll get to see South Alabama before he pursues his professional career.”
Strickland pitched the 2008 season for coach Tom Clark at Lake City Community College, but he transferred to Northwest Florida State when the program disbanded. He went 7-2 with a 3.27 ERA in 18 games, 11 of which were starts, for the Timberwolves. In 82.2 innings, he struck out 58 and walked only 22.
“He was their ace last year, and he led them to the state tournament,” Sealy said. “He throws downhill well, he throws three pitches for strikes, and he’s going to come in here and get in the mix right away.”
Now pitching for coach Doug Martin in his first season at Northwest Florida State, Strickland is expected to put up even better numbers in 2009. Assuming he doesn’t decide to take his skills to the professional ranks, he’ll join the Jags in 2010 with two years of eligibility remaining.
When he gets to South Alabama, Strickland will be at his third school in as many years. One might worry about a pitcher moving around so much, but Sealy said he doesn’t think the move will be a problem for a player with Strickland’s ability.
“He’s a mature kid,” Sealy said. “He’s the kind of kid you want the other guys on your staff to be around because you know he’s going to work hard.”
While Strickland decided the offer from USA was too good to pass up, the Jag coaches felt the same way about Strickland. There were numerous other teams interested in the big right-hander, but many wanted to wait to see him pitch this spring.
“We kind of took a chance on him, but we know he’s going to recover,” Sealy said. “He’s got a really bright future ahead of him, and hopefully we’ll get to see him on the mound at South Alabama.”
Click below to view previous editions of "Profiling USA Baseball's 2010 Signees ..."
Taylor White
Lance Brown
Garrett Harris
Tyler Vick
Brent Tanner
Nolan Earley
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
