Harman ready to step forward as Tigers’ new ace

A year ago at this time, Casey Harman was essentially an afterthought on Clemson’s pitching staff.

Today, at 4 p.m., he’ll step out as its centerpiece.

It’s hard to believe how far the South Burlington, Vt., native has come in a year. After starting 2009 as a reliever, he’s the Opening Day starter as No. 15 Clemson begins its 2010 season against Miami (Ohio) at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Harman considers the job an honor — one that he’s ready to start justifying.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said this week. “(A leader) is something that everyone on this team has been at one point in high school, but it’s a great feeling to be that guy at the next level, to be the guy to put your team on your shoulders and carry them Friday night.

“It’s a good feeling — a little nerve-wracking because I haven’t had that before here, but I’m ready for it. It’s going to be a good challenge.”

Last spring, Harman started as a reliever but moved into the starting rotation by the start of the ACC season. He was steady, going 7-3 with a 3.95 ERA and 89 strikeouts against 16 walks (his strikeout-to-walk ratio is best in school history). It was good enough to earn second-team All-ACC honors and an invitation to the U.S. Baseball team trials, although he didn’t make the final cut.

Harman, who attended the same high school as veteran Clemson coach Jack Leggett, was considered the top prep prospect in Vermont his senior year (although the state is hardly a baseball hotbed).

So in his eyes, his 2009 maturation was just a matter of time.

“I think it was just being given the opportunity,” he said. “ I always felt I had that role but I wanted to contribute in whatever they wanted me to do. So I think it was getting the opportunity, getting comfortable with being out there more often and working on my stuff as often as I could.”

Now, he’s the unquestioned leader of a pitching staff in transition. 2009 weekend starters Chris Dwyer and Graham Stoneburner signed bonus-laden contracts with the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees, respectively, and signee Madison Younginer, expected to be a key staff member, received a $1 million bonus to sign with the Boston Red Sox. In addition, key relievers Matt Vaughn and Ryan Hinson graduated.

That leaves Harman as the No.1 starter; sophomore Scott Weismann will start Saturday against Michigan State at Fluor Field, while redshirt freshman Kevin Brady will start Sunday against Furman back at Doug Kingsmore.

“I told (the coaching staff) all along that I want to be that guy,” Harman said. “I’ve been working for it all year, so I’m ready for it. It’s something I had in mind since the end of last year to come back out here.”

Being the No. 1 starter carries special cache in college baseball; you’re always expected to get weekend series started on the right note, and you’re virtually always matched up with the opposing team’s ace.

“It’s some pressure,” Harman said. “A lot of good pitchers that I’m going to be pitching against. The Deck McGuire’s (Georgia Tech’s ace); everyone’s Friday night guy is a stud. It’s a lot of pressure but at the same time it’s exciting pressure. It’s fun to know that you’re the guy that your team wants to be out there the first night to get your first win (of the weekend).”

A year ago, Harman relied on his fastball, slider and changeup, excelling by using solid location and control.

This year, he’s added a curve to his repertoire, something he’s had success with in the past. He calls it a “slurve,” a cross between slider and curve, and feels it will give batters a different look from his slider breaking in or his change-up breaking away.

“It was something I did freshman summer and it helped me have a successful summer,” Harman said. “I kind of let go of it last year, and thought about it in the fall a little more and started throwing it. It worked out well and I kept doing it.”

New Clemson pitching coach Dan Pepicelli has worked with Harman since last fall; he’s confident his new ace can carry the load, too.

“He’s a pro,” Pepicelli said. “He knows how to get himself ready, knows how to be the No.1 guy on Friday night, he’s a good guy for us.

“He knows how to execute his pitches, knows how to be very aggressive, a theme I’ve been preaching since I got here. He has enough experience in big games. He’s a guy that can handle opening day and everything that comes with it.”

© 2010 Anderson Independent Mail. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.