Changing the configuration of starting pitchers may not be the most orthodox thing to do when you are 15-1 and about to start conference play. But potentially, that “unorthodox” change might just be what West Virginia baseball needs to do to compete in the Big 12 this season.
One of the biggest holes seen on WVU’s baseball team might be the second and third starters. Division 2 transfer shining star Griffin Kirn has looked exceptional at times, and early indications seem to suggest that Kirn can compete to keep WVU competitive in Big 12 games. But after that Friday starter, some serious questions marks start to appear.
So far, the general plan has been to send Kirn out to the mound for the first game in a series, and then run out third-team Preseason All-American Gavin Van Kempen for the second game in a series, and in a three-game series junior pitcher Robby Porco has closed out the series as the starting pitcher.
Why Carson Estridge should be considered for the third starting pitcher spot
Estridge started four games last season and started five games in 2023. So, he has experience in being the first one to take the ball. In 2024, Estridge pitched 42.1 innings with a 3.21 ERA with 48 strikeouts and .238 batting average against.
Estridge proved last season that he could be a legit option for the future starting rotation, which saw two starting pitchers from 2024 get drafted in the MLB Draft (Aidan Major and Derek Clark). Alongside his five starts in 2024, the junior pitcher also earned four saves in 2024.
Currently, Estridge is 2-0 this season with a 0.52 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 17.1 innings pitched. Hitters are only posting a .215 batting average against Estridge this season in 17.1 innings. Excluding his last appearance on Saturday, Estridge has pitched 5.2, 4.2, and 4.2 innings in his last three appearances, respectively. He clearly shows an ability to throw multiple quality innings, just this season has seen him come out of the bullpen with those innings.
The junior right-hander stands at an imposing 6’7”. Along with his imposing height. Estridge has a fastball that seemingly has to be in the 90-mph range. With such a tall release point and average to above-average fastball, Estridge has the tools to be a very capable starter.
If Estridge was moved to the starting rotation, a countermove could be to move junior Porco to the midweek starter, especially once the season starts to see an increase in midweek game action. In addition to potentially moving Porco to the midweek slot for starters, David Hagen or Mac Stiffler could split the responsibilities of the long-relief role that Estridge currently seems to be tagged with.
One argument that could be made to not move Hagen or Stiffler into that long-relief role is the lack of experience that Hagen and Stiffler have. Both are freshmen and are seeing more time on the mound than maybe they expected. A solution to the above-mentioned argument could be to move Porco to that long-relief role and leave Hagen and/or Stiffler in the midweek starter role.
One thing is for certain: this Mountaineer pitching staff that has allowed 67 walks in 132 innings cannot continue that recipe if they hope to see success in the Big 12. With powerhouses such as Oklahoma State (9-6), Arizona (11-4), and TCU (12-4), WVU’s pitching has to limit walks and runs as much as possible to give this high-powered Mountaineer offense a chance to win games.