Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight!

Article By: Brian Butler

With Cape League Opening Day under a month away, colleges are finishing up their regular seasons in hopes of making a run to Omaha. Many of the teams that are looking to be fixtures in the College World Series feature pitchers that have pitched well on the Cape in the past, some of whom will be returning this summer. As Opening Day looms on the horizon, it’s time to take a look at five returning pitchers to keep an eye on this summer.

Sean Sullivan, LHP, Wake Forest

Sean Sullivan will be returning to Harwich this summer, following an outstanding performance this spring in Winston-Salem. Through 10 appearances and eight starts for the Demon Deacons, Sullivan has a 3.11 ERA and a 4-2 record. Across his 46.1 innings pitched, the southpaw has 70 strikeouts, good for a 14.54 K/9 ratio that ranks third in the nation. Sullivan’s 70:15 strikeout-to-walk ratio also ranks in the top 25. His fastball has been up to 95 miles per hour on the season, and his changeup and slider have also been incredibly effective. Sullivan has also held opposing hitters to a minuscule .190 batting average. Coming off his incredible season, Mariners fans should be extremely excited to watch Sean Sullivan take the mound at Whitehouse Field once again.

Joe Savino, RHP, Elon

Joe Savino, another Harwich returnee, carried his performance as one of the Cape’s best relievers last summer into a great season at Elon. In 19 appearances out of the Phoenix bullpen, Savino has posted a 3.40 ERA across 42.1 innings pitched. The Elon righthander has also recorded an outstanding 60:9 strikeout-to-walk ratio, while holding hitters to just a .211 batting average. Savino features a fastball that gets up to 93 miles per hour, alongside a changeup and a wipeout slider. Following a great junior season, Joe Savino should once again be a fixture coming out of the bullpen for the Mariners this summer.

Ty Good, RHP, College of Charleston

Ty Good made three outstanding starts for the Harbor Hawks last summer, and he will be looking to add many more this summer. Good has been lights out as the Cougars’ Friday night starter this season, recording a 3.38 ERA and a 6-2 record in his 12 starts, while holding opposing hitters to a .206 batting average. He has also picked up 83 strikeouts, a total that ranks in the top 40 across the country. Good has been incredibly difficult to barrel up, allowing just three home runs across his 69.1 innings pitched. Hyannis fans should be looking forward to watching Ty Good deal for the Hawks once again this summer.

Kade Grundy, RHP, Louisville

Kade Grundy pitched very well for Bourne last summer, and carried on his admirable performance to Louisville this spring. Splitting his 14 appearances between starting and relief, Grundy has a 3-0 record alongside a 3.82 ERA. The Cardinal righthander has put up a 1.15 WHIP in his 33 innings, while limiting hitters to a .197 batting average against. Grundy has also picked up a save coming out of the bullpen, further showing his versatility. The Braves returnee features a fastball that reached 93 miles per hour to pair with a slider, curveball, and changeup, with the latter two averaging movement of over a foot in opposite directions. The Bourne faithful should be thrilled to watch Kade Grundy toe the Doran Park rubber again this summer.

Jay Driver, RHP, Harvard

Following an impressive summer with the Harbor Hawks where he appeared mostly in relief, Jay Driver transitioned to the Crimson rotation this spring. With a fastball that touches 95 miles per hour, Driver has struck out more than a batter per inning across his 56.2 innings pitched. He pairs that fastball with a great slider, and occasionally mixes in a changeup as well. Across his 10 starts on the year, Driver has posted a 4.13 ERA. The Harvard righthander has also limited hard contact, allowing just two home runs on the campaign. The return to Hyannis of Jay Driver should be eagerly anticipated.