Circumstances have turned RS Fr. RHP Anthony Fazio into something mysterious. By the close of preseason workouts last February, Fazio had gained some separation from the Owls' pack of neophyte pitchers and earned a role as a contributor for a developing staff. But before observers could complete a thorough evaluation of the Beaumont native, Fazio blew out his right elbow in one of his last intrasquad outings. Two weeks later he underwent Tommy John surgery and, just like that, the potential for his producing a breakthrough season was delayed.
Nearly 12 months later Fazio is back where he started last February. His carefully crafted rehabilitation prevented Fazio from making his fall ball debut until the latter half of the intrasquad schedule. When he finally pitched he excelled, but the innings were so limited that gauging his immediate potential proved difficult. In the two months since fall ball closed Fazio has inched closer to optimal health - on Friday he will be released by surgeon David Lintner. He has progressively regained his arm strength, enhanced a secondary pitch, and worked with such diligence that a spot in the weekend rotation appears his for the claiming. Truth be told, Fazio has spent so little time pitching in the public eye he remains shrouded in secrecy.
Q: Were you mentally prepared to make a contribution to the pitching staff prior to your injury?
A: I was prepared. Coach (David) Pierce and Coach (Wayne) Graham definitely gave me all the tools that I needed; I just had to cultivate them. Whenever I got injured I was at every home game, I was doing the radar gun behind home plate and I just learned unbelievable amounts of information. I would listen to Coach Graham whether it was about hitting or pitching - I just wanted to learn about the game. I think that really helped me a lot in my preparation as far as this past fall and through rehab. I just got myself absorbed into the game.
Q: Do you feel as though your time invested in the program has bolstered your maturity and, in a sense, that your year of observation might turn out to be a blessing in disguise?
A: Absolutely. When it (the elbow injury) first happened I could have either pouted and laid down or I could have gotten myself in shape and learn about the game more than I already knew. Coach Pierce is always saying that Coach Graham is still learning stuff, and every day I learn something new with him or Coach Pierce.
Q: How much more mature do you feel as you get prepared to pitch in the 2010 season?
A: I feel a lot more mature as far as physically, mentally - everything. The surgery really put a lot of things in perspective for me. Whenever I couldn't play catch for four months, I just tried to do everything else that I could as far as listening and watching the game. That really helped out. That was a big part of my success in the fall, just learning how to pitch and watching the guys like Ryan Berry and (Mike) Ojala, their success and what works for them, and then using that (along with) my strengths.
Q: What was your interpretation of the success you enjoyed during fall ball?
A: My first outing was about seven and a half months after my surgery, and I talked to my doctor and the guys that I rehabbed with at Methodist Hospital and they said to just go out there and do what I've always done. I was excited - a little nervous - and my first outing went really well and boosted my confidence. My elbow has felt great throughout this entire process.
I'm really taking care of my arm a lot better, and my body. The last part of fall ball was great. I threw about nine or 10 innings over four or five outings, and I had no problems with the arm. It was really good to get out there and get my feet wet again.
Q: Can you describe the boost to your confidence that came with not only pitching, but pitching well?
A: I just wanted to make sure my arm was healthy again. It healed and it's still healing, but I feel like my arm strength is getting back to where it was before the surgery. To have success on top of that was a great feeling. To know that all that hard work paid off (was beneficial).
Q: What is your approach to the preseason workouts preceding the opener at Stanford?
A: I'm just going to work as hard as I have been working. All throughout the summer I stayed here and took some summer classes and just really worked my tail off at rehab and working out. That helped. I'm just going to continue to do what I've been doing, just really pay attention to Coach Graham and Coach Pierce. They've given me the tools to succeed, and I've got to use those to the best of my ability. That's going to be a key to my success.
Fazio underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction on Feb. 25. By his admission, his change-up has improved 'a ton' and Graham believes that once Fazio fully regains his arm strength, his fastball could be the best on the staff. Fazio was 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA over nine IP (five appearances) last fall, fanning 12 while allowing four hits, zero walks and a .133 BAA.
Nearly 12 months later Fazio is back where he started last February. His carefully crafted rehabilitation prevented Fazio from making his fall ball debut until the latter half of the intrasquad schedule. When he finally pitched he excelled, but the innings were so limited that gauging his immediate potential proved difficult. In the two months since fall ball closed Fazio has inched closer to optimal health - on Friday he will be released by surgeon David Lintner. He has progressively regained his arm strength, enhanced a secondary pitch, and worked with such diligence that a spot in the weekend rotation appears his for the claiming. Truth be told, Fazio has spent so little time pitching in the public eye he remains shrouded in secrecy.
Q: Were you mentally prepared to make a contribution to the pitching staff prior to your injury?
A: I was prepared. Coach (David) Pierce and Coach (Wayne) Graham definitely gave me all the tools that I needed; I just had to cultivate them. Whenever I got injured I was at every home game, I was doing the radar gun behind home plate and I just learned unbelievable amounts of information. I would listen to Coach Graham whether it was about hitting or pitching - I just wanted to learn about the game. I think that really helped me a lot in my preparation as far as this past fall and through rehab. I just got myself absorbed into the game.
Q: Do you feel as though your time invested in the program has bolstered your maturity and, in a sense, that your year of observation might turn out to be a blessing in disguise?
A: Absolutely. When it (the elbow injury) first happened I could have either pouted and laid down or I could have gotten myself in shape and learn about the game more than I already knew. Coach Pierce is always saying that Coach Graham is still learning stuff, and every day I learn something new with him or Coach Pierce.
Q: How much more mature do you feel as you get prepared to pitch in the 2010 season?
A: I feel a lot more mature as far as physically, mentally - everything. The surgery really put a lot of things in perspective for me. Whenever I couldn't play catch for four months, I just tried to do everything else that I could as far as listening and watching the game. That really helped out. That was a big part of my success in the fall, just learning how to pitch and watching the guys like Ryan Berry and (Mike) Ojala, their success and what works for them, and then using that (along with) my strengths.
Q: What was your interpretation of the success you enjoyed during fall ball?
A: My first outing was about seven and a half months after my surgery, and I talked to my doctor and the guys that I rehabbed with at Methodist Hospital and they said to just go out there and do what I've always done. I was excited - a little nervous - and my first outing went really well and boosted my confidence. My elbow has felt great throughout this entire process.
I'm really taking care of my arm a lot better, and my body. The last part of fall ball was great. I threw about nine or 10 innings over four or five outings, and I had no problems with the arm. It was really good to get out there and get my feet wet again.
Q: Can you describe the boost to your confidence that came with not only pitching, but pitching well?
A: I just wanted to make sure my arm was healthy again. It healed and it's still healing, but I feel like my arm strength is getting back to where it was before the surgery. To have success on top of that was a great feeling. To know that all that hard work paid off (was beneficial).
Q: What is your approach to the preseason workouts preceding the opener at Stanford?
A: I'm just going to work as hard as I have been working. All throughout the summer I stayed here and took some summer classes and just really worked my tail off at rehab and working out. That helped. I'm just going to continue to do what I've been doing, just really pay attention to Coach Graham and Coach Pierce. They've given me the tools to succeed, and I've got to use those to the best of my ability. That's going to be a key to my success.
Fazio underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction on Feb. 25. By his admission, his change-up has improved 'a ton' and Graham believes that once Fazio fully regains his arm strength, his fastball could be the best on the staff. Fazio was 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA over nine IP (five appearances) last fall, fanning 12 while allowing four hits, zero walks and a .133 BAA.
Thanks, MK. We're all obviously excited to see him on the hill this spring, but it's also great to read how he's reacted to the adversity.. which is often what life is all about..
Good stuff, MK. Pitching will be fine, especially if Fazio regains his health and form, which it looks like he will do.
Thanks MK. I know a lot of people are excited to see him on the mound.