It’s looking more and more likely that All-America lefty ace Nathan Kirby will be available for Virginia in Omaha next weekend in the 2015 College World Series.
Kirby, a junior expected to go high in this week’s MLB Draft, has been out since April 17 with a strained lat muscle. He was given full medical clearance to pitch this past weekend in the Charlottesville Super Regional, but UVA coach Brian O’Connor ruled out having Kirby pitch early in the week, citing his seven-week layoff.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday after the Cavs punched their ticket to the 2015 CWS with a 5-4 win over Maryland that completed a two-game sweep in the Super Regional, O’Connor sounded optimistic that Kirby (5-2, 2.28 ERA in 2015) will be available next weekend in a relief role.
“The next three days will be really big. Because if (Sunday) goes well, sometime in the early part of this week, he’s going to face hitters, which is a big step. Everything points to, he’s completely fine. He’s 100 percent cleared, there haven’t been any issues. But we need to take the next step of him stepping on the mound competing against hitters,” O’Connor said.
The addition of Kirby to the mix would add an interesting dynamic to what O’Connor and pitching coach Karl Kuhn can do in Omaha. Josh Sborz (4-2, 1.95 ERA, 14 saves) has been used primarily as a closer this year, but he was used as a spot starter after Kirby went down with injury, and among his three starts in 2015 was a complete-game one-hitter in an ACC Tournament win against Georgia Tech.
Kirby’s availability could give O’Connor the flexibility to save Sborz for a start or a long-relief appearance along the lines of how Artie Lewicki was used in the 2014 College World Series. Or Kirby could be used in tandem with Sborz as an eighth-inning setup man.
However he is used, the idea that he might be in the mix is an interesting prospect for a team that has been able to get to Omaha without its ace.
“I’m hoping, I know he’s hoping, I know he’s excited, that he can get a chance to contribute to this team’s success, in Omaha,” O’Connor said.
– Story by Chris Graham
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