Bringing heat to JSU
- Updated: November 9, 2016
Jacksonville right-hander Casey opened a lot of recruiting eyes after breaking through 90-mph barrier this summer
Jacksonville right-hander Colin Casey stands next to the cake that bears his likeness to celebrate signing with Jacksonville State Wednesday.
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
JACKSONVILLE — When Colin Casey was finding his way as a pitcher he always dreamed of hitting the 90-mph threshold.
Once he did it — and did it consistently — the world beat a path to his door.
The Jacksonville senior right-hander made the second big velocity jump of his career this summer — regularly hitting 90 on the radar gun to go with a four-pitch arsenal — and it didn’t go unnoticed.
Casey started getting looks from several Division I programs and Wednesday he signed to play with Jacksonville State.
“It really opened up a lot of eyes,” he said. “When I was little it was always my goal to hit 90 before I graduated. Something happened this summer. It all happened in a quick time.
“I never even really try to throw hard when I’m in a game, it just kind of goes. I was surprised when I heard that and then I did it in multiple games back-to-back-to-back. (After he hit 90) I had people calling me every day. It was a lot to just sit down and think about.”
From his sophomore to junior year, his velocity jumped from 83-84 to 88. In his final travel-ball start with the East Cobb Astros, he was 89 to 92 the whole game. He did develop some soreness in his pitching elbow because of the work he put in, but doesn’t anticipate it being a problem going forward.
“Ninety is kind of that mark; when you hit 90 you start opening some eyes,” Jacksonville coach David Deerman said. “There are a lot of people who say they throw 90, but when you go and throw it 90-92 in five or six different places then that makes it pretty legit and he hit it several times this summer at different places.”
Casey does a lot more than pitch for the Golden Eagles. He can catch, play the infield and hits nearly .400. The Gamecocks like him as a pitcher.
“I really feel like I can help that team win a conference championship,” he said.
But first he has another year to help Jacksonville win. And he projects good things for the Golden Eagles this season.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login