Week 2 Weekend Preview
Oregon State, 5, at No. 19 Oklahoma State, 3
The first game of the tournament saw Oregon State take down No. 19 Oklahoma State 5-3 in what proved to be an entertaining game full of talent on both sides. One of the bigger things I walked away most impressed by was the quality of the Oregon State freshmen class that stepped on campus this fall and the immediate impact they have made to a Beaver club that is now 3-2 on the year.
Oregon State right-hander Andrew Moore seems to have success everywhere he goes and as a result has built an very impressive resume, including throwing for the USA Collegiate National Team this past summer. Though he may not stand out physically at 6-foot, 180-pounds, once Moore gets on the mound and starts to pitch you can see how he has been so successful.
After a first inning in which Moore surrendered a couple of base hits and an earned run, he buckled down and was virtually unhittable for the next five-plus innings. He began working ahead of batters in the second inning and located his fastball, something very valuable for a pitcher like Moore as that allowed him to unlock and use his off speed pitches. And that he did. Throwing from a high three-quarter to almost over the top arm slot, Moore worked comfortably in the 88-91 mph range throughout his 6.1 innings, frequently with most pitches on the high end of the range. As he began working his fastball in and out to batters, he was able to start mixing and began to show off his plus-pitchability on the mound.
What helps make Moore so effective is his changeup, a pitch that mimics the fastball out of his hand while showing an exceptional feel for it. As the Beavers ace began to mix in the 81-82 mph pitch, he started to get Oklahoma State hitters out front and swinging over the top of it. Moore was very comfortable throwing the pitch and was throwing it with confidence as he would locate it throughout the zone, regardless whether he was down 2-0 in the count or ahead.
The right-hander showed his breaking stuff early in the game, primarily the first innings, but flashed it throughout the game to keep hitters on their toes. He varied the shape and velocity of his curveball, starting hitters with a 74-75 mph first-pitch strike and then show a 79-81 mph curveball down in the zone later that at-bat. Moore also threw a slider yesterday with tight spin in the 82-83 mph range with short 10-4 shape.
Freshman first baseman KJ Harrison has been the talk of the Beavers offense after a opening weekend in which he went 7-16 with two home runs and two triples. A reason Harrison is having so much success is due to his overall approach at the plate, one that is far advanced for a freshman. He showed a little bit of everything yesterday with the bat, picking up another three hits in five trips to the plate.
At first glance, Harrison passes the eye test with a well-built 6-foot frame with a strong lower half that helps to drive the ball with natural lift and fluidity in his swing. His first hit of the game came off an outer half changeup, which he caught off the end of the bat and punched into right field. In fact, he other two hits were hit to the opposite field as well, both times showing balance and the ability to go with the pitch. Harrison’s second hit came on a curveball that he picked up out of the pitcher’s hand and hit to right-center field before going with a 91 mph fastball through the right side. A catcher throughout high school, Harrison showed off soft hands at first base too with solid glove work and ease picking balls out of the dirt.
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