In
Texas Christian's 3-1 victory over Rice Wednesday night – the
Frogs' first win against the Owls since 2005 – righthander Mitchell
Traver continued to impress. After striking out 11 batters in 7
innings vs. Texas Southern last week, Traver recorded another
scoreless outing against Rice, running his scoreless innings streak
up to 16.
On
a loaded staff that includes senior righthander Preston Morrison,
junior lefthander Alex Young, sophomore Tyler Alexander and
All-American closer Riley Ferrell, Traver's reemergence has been a
pleasant surprise – one that solidifies TCU's stance as one of the
best teams in the country.
But
to appreciate what Traver has done in his four appearances this
season – striking out 18 and walking one in 16 scoreless innings –
it's important to understand the long, trying journey that led him to
this point.
The
summer of 2011 was very good to the then 17-year-old Traver. The
towering fireballer from Houston Christian High School was being
recruited by some of the best programs in the country: Vanderbilt,
Texas, Florida and Texas Christian among them. He was a Perfect Game
All-American, a late addition to the West roster that included lefthander Max Fried and righthander Lucas Giolito.
Traver
recalls the experience with great fondness.
“I
got to throw the ninth inning,” he told Perfect Game earlier this
week. “And I got Carlos Correa to make the last out on a hanging
breaking ball. I won't forget that one.”
With
the First-Year Player Draft less than 10 months away at that point,
Traver was expected to be a second- or third-round pick. Options were
a plenty, his future bright.
He
recorded four complete games as a senior in 2012, posting a 1.60 ERA
and 75 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings. But following his final
appearance of the season, he felt a pop in his elbow. An MRI led to
thoracic outlet surgery, a common procedure for overhand throwers to
relieve pinched nerves.
Despite
the surgery, the Houston Astros drafted him in the 39th round. But the Sugar Land, Texas native chose instead to honor his
commitment to TCU. There was just one problem: Traver still didn't
feel right.
After
another MRI, it was determined that Traver would need Tommy John
Surgery, effectively ending his freshman season before it even
started.
For
Traver, the hardest part wasn't rehab or even not pitching. Fitting
in with his new teammates from the bench became his biggest obstacle.
“Having
to play the freshman role, and to do it while you're hurt – when
you can't play – that was tough,” he said. “I remember talking
to my dad and asking how can I earn the respect of these guys if I
can't play? I had nothing in common with a lot of the older guys and
it was a huge challenge. But they picked me up and I even went on a
few trips with them.”
TCU Head Coach Jim Schlossnagle (Photo: Michael Clements)
Traver
was cleared the following August, 12 months after his surgery. Still
eager to throw his first pitch as a Horned Frog, he received more bad
news – just two weeks before his sophomore season was to start. A
back injury would sideline him for more than three months, delaying
his TCU debut until late-May.
The
2014 Horned Frogs went on to sweep the Big 12 Tournament and win both
their Regional and Super Regional brackets, advancing to the College
World Series for the second time in five years. But a second-round
loss to Virginia – the eventual runners-up – ended TCU's season.
Traver's
season, however, was just beginning. After a summer in the Northwoods
League, PG's Patrick Ebert ranked Traver as the
league's No. 2 prospect. Finally healthy, Traver entered 2015 as
a redshirt sophomore, once again eager to get on the mound.
After
four scoreless appearances to start the season, Traver has earned the
trust of TCU Head Coach Jim Schlossnagle. So much so, in fact, that
he has tabbed Traver as the team's starter Friday night vs. 12-1 Southern California.
“Traver
is doing a really good job of pounding the strike zone with three
pitches,” Coach Schlossnagle said. “And being that he's 6-foot-7
and 250 pounds, he's doing a really good job of repeating his
delivery, which allows him to throw a lot of strikes and pitch
downhill with good angle on his fastball. Mitchell's big thing has
been staying healthy and maintaining that health. It's a blessing to
have him out there and have him give us innings. And having him pitch
at a high level like this is just icing on the cake.”
The
Horned Frogs – who entered the week at No. 5 on Perfect
Game's top 25 rankings – are in for a big weekend, as they are
scheduled to play No. 4 ranked UCLA on Saturday, and top-ranked
Vanderbilt Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.
Coach
Schlossnagle wouldn't say who he plans to start which game, but it's
expected that either Alex Young or Preston Morrison will start vs.
UCLA, and the other will face Vanderbilt.
The
team's mentality this season, according to Traver – “National
Championship or bust” – will be tested this weekend. But the
20-year-old with less than 20 collegiate innings under his belt still
has a lot to work on.
Coach
Schlossnagle lauds Traver's tremendous work ethic, but says he's
sometimes too focused on perfecting his mechanics when he should just
worry about throwing strikes.
“I
remember telling him the next time I hear him say anything about his
mechanics in the bullpen, he's not pitching for a week,” Coach
Schlossnagle said jokingly.
“He's
always been a mature, serious guy and he's very intelligent,” Schlossnagle added. “But what we've asked him to do is be
a little dumber on the mound.”
Whatever
Traver's doing seems to be working.
“Mentally,
physically, spiritually – all aspects – I feel as good as I ever
have,” he said.
“I'm
thankful that I ended up here, because it turns out I've been well
taken care of. I've improved every part of my game, from pickoffs to
commanding my pitches and mental toughness. I don't know if I could
have gotten that anywhere else.
“And
as cliché as it sounds, I'm kinda glad I got hurt and ended up
here.”