Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan is playing the waiting game and it’s time to stop. The Gators can no longer wait for Karsten Whitson to find himself.
In arguably his most important start of the season, Whitson lasted just 2.1 innings in an 8-6 loss to Vanderbilt in the Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinals Saturday.
Coming into this season, Whitson had high expectations after a stellar freshman campaign. He recorded a 2.40 ERA, a .235 batting average against and a 3.3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 97.1 innings in 2011.
This season, Whitson’s ERA is 3.41 and his batting average against is .296 in 31.2 frames. His strikeout-to-walk ratio: 1-to-1.
Whitson has pitched at least five innings in only two of his 10 starts this season: once against Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 18 and again at Auburn on May 19.
The sophomore right-hander has struggled with injuries. A groin issue sidelined Whitson during fall practice and once he recovered, his arm wasn’t in shape.
As a result of his physical predicaments, Whitson’s lack of command — usually overcome by his velocity — has proven costly.
O’Sullivan has been cautious with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, but the excuses for Whitson’s struggles have worn thin.
Either Whitson is hiding an injury or he’s in a very dark place on the mound. Considering the care O’Sullivan has taken with Whitson this season, the former seems unlikely. Therefore, I lean towards the latter.
Either way, it’s time for the Gators to find a new third starter, and the man for the job is Jonathon Crawford.
In Whitson’s prolonged absence this season, Crawford has made 12 starts and thrown 62 innings.
His 3.34 ERA ranks second only to Hudson Randall for UF pitchers with at least six starts.
Compared head-to-head with Whitson, Crawford has been the better pitcher in 2012.
In roughly half as many innings, Whitson has 16 walks compared to Crawford’s 22.
Whitson has six wild pitches compared to Crawford’s four, and Crawford has surrendered one more extra-base hit.
In addition to his solid numbers, Crawford proved his worth in the SEC Tournament opener against Auburn on May 22.
Crawford gave up just one unearned run in 5.2 innings and struck out nine batters against the Tigers in a 6-1 Gators’ victory.
Following Florida’s 8-6 loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday, O’Sullivan summed up each of his starting pitchers in a few words.
Randall: “Hudson Randall has been really sharp for us all year long. Even when he’s not as sharp as he normally is, he still keeps you in the game.”
Brian Johnson: “Brian Johnson’s been throwing the ball as good — actually, he is throwing the ball as well as he ever has.”
Crawford: “Johnny Crawford’s been really, really good.”
Whitson: “Obviously, he’s been very good in the postseason.”
While Whitson’s 1.89 postseason ERA from Florida’s College World Series run last year may tempt O’Sullivan to keep going to the Whitson well this time around, he shouldn’t.
Relying on Whitson to pitch any better than he did during the regular season is foolish.
Give Crawford the ball.
Contact Joe Morgan at joemorgan@alligator.org.
