Kansas Jayhawks: Baseball Team to Open at No. 2 LSU

 Pitchers

The talent on the mound that Price mentioned includes a senior, Drew Morovick, who will become the team’s Friday night starter, and a sophomore closer, Stephen Villines, coming of a season in which he was named a Freshman All-American.

Morovick is no stranger to the mound, finishing last season with 10 wins, but transitioning to the ace of a staff is no easy task.

“Pitching on Friday night in our league is a whole new world,” Price said.

Villines was as shut down as you can get in the closer role after taking over for senior Jordan Piche who became a starter. Villines saved eight games in 29 appearances, to go along with a 2-2 record and 1.50 ERA.

In addition to the five freshman Price mentioned, the Jayhawks also will return four pitchers who saw action last season, and four others who are transfers or did not pitch in 2014.

Gone are 2014 ace Frank Duncan and others, to the draft. The current pitching staff will surely have some bumps along the way, but Price is ready for the challenge.

“The upside is exciting,” Price said.

RETURNERS  — 2014 stats

Drew Morovick (RHP, 6-5, 268 lbs., Jr.) — 10-4, 5.00 ERA, 25 appearances, 77.1 IP

Stephen Villines (RHP, 6-2, 165 lbs., So.) —  2-2, 1.50 ERA, 8 saves, 20 appearances, 48 IP

Hayden Edwards (RHP, 6-0, 190 lbs., Jr. ) — 0-0, 2.08 ERA, six appearances, 8.2 IP

John Hander ( RHP, 6-2, 180 lbs., So. ) — 2-1, 3.18 ERA, 11 appearances (six starts), one save, 39.2 IP

Colin Toalson (RHP, 6-3, 180 lbs., Sr.) — 0-0, 6.76 ERA, six appearances, 6.2 IP

Sean Rackowski (RHP, 6-7, 210 lbs., So.) — 0-0, 10.84 ERA, two appearances, 1.2 IP

FRESHMEN

Ryan Ralston (RHP, 6-4, 225 lbs.) — No. 2 RHP and No. 3 overall prep player from the state of Kansas*

Brandon Johnson (RHP, 6-4, 230 lbs.) — No. 3 RHP and No. 6 overall prep player from the state of Nevada*

Casey Douglas (RHP, 6-5, 195 lbs.) — Pitched a no-hitter in high school during the Scott Boras tournament

Ryan Jackson (LHP, 6-3, 195 lbs.) — Named to the second-team Nevada All-State

Blake Weiman (LHP, 6-4, 185 lbs.) — Undefeated during junior and senior high school seasons

OTHERS

Ben Krauth (LHP, 6-0, 180 lbs.) — 9-2, 0.52 ERA, 14 appearances, 103.2 innings pitched (Diablo Valley (Calf.) College)

Tyler Davis (RHP, 6-1, 185 lbs.) — Did not play in 2014, Orange Belt (Calf.) Player of the Year as a high school senior

Sam Gilbert (RHP, 6-0, 170 lbs.) — Struck out 13 batters in 10 innings and batted .292 (Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College)

Jeremy Kravetz (LHP, 6-2, 185 lbs.) — Did not play in 2014, No.1 LHP from the state of Illinois*

*Rated by Perfect Game

Next: Jayhawk Infielders