Oklahoma State University Athletics
Perrin Poised For Another Strong Season
February 27, 2015 | Cowboy Baseball
By Elias Williams, OSU Media Relations
Last year was one full of success for Oklahoma State pitcher Jon Perrin.
The 6-foot-4 right-hander pitched complete game shutouts against both of the Big 12 Conference schools from his home state, was named as an All-Big 12 First Team player, helped the Cowboys win a conference championship and was selected in the Major League Baseball Draft.
But even with all of that success behind him, Perrin believes the best is yet to come for him and the Oklahoma State baseball team.
Since a scoreless two-thirds of an inning debut in 2012, Perrin has improved steadily throughout his Cowboy career. The native of Olathe, Kan., started one game his freshman year, five games in 2013 and in his junior season, he went 8-5 in 13 starts and posted a 2.38 earned run average.
"I think last year was an awesome experience through and through," Perrin said. "I'm hoping to build on it in my senior season."
Perrin started 2014 as a relief pitcher but quickly caught the eye of OSU pitching coach Rob Walton and head coach Josh Holliday. He made his first start in March against Texas Pan-American, throwing five innings and getting a no decision, and went on to start 12 more games, including eight Big 12 matchups.
"I think the biggest thing for Jon was the command and the development of his fastball command," Walton said. "As his pitches developed and he started to command the ball better, he became one of our best pitchers and that's when we made the move."
Perrin never looked back, finishing with five Big 12 victories and ranking among the top 10 in the conference in ERA, wins, innings pitched, shutouts and strikeouts.
"I was pretty proud about my performance last season," Perrin said. "I had a lot of good things happen to me. I got to shutout both Kansas teams and being from Kansas, that was kind of nice so that was probably the high point of my season."
The first of Perrin's two Sunflower State shutouts came in Stillwater on April 18 as he racked up nine strikeouts and only walked one batter over nine innings. The feat was completed in 130 pitches and ended with Perrin recording the last out.
"The KU game ended kind of funny because I got a ground ball back to me, and it was going through my legs so I essentially just sat on it," Perrin said. "I kicked it out from under me and got the out."
On May 9, he recorded his second complete game shutout, this time against Kansas State. He fanned 10 and allowed only four hits, getting the win in 128 pitches.
Although it took Perrin 130 and 128 pitches to record all 27 out in both matchups, he and coach Walton said that going over 100 pitches is nothing new to the Cowboys' pitching staff.
"They're conditioned to throw 120," Walton said. "Early on in the season, it's not necessarily that high, but by the time we get to conference play we want them to be able to go 100-plus."
Added Perrin, "We don't pitch on a college scale, we pitch on a pro-ball type mentality. Coach Walton is one of the best pitching coaches in the country. He's been at the pro level for 10-15 years, working and scouting in that area so he has complete understanding."
Even with offseason elbow surgery to remove bone spurs in his throwing arm, Perrin is expected to be one of the leaders and top performers on the 2015 pitching staff.
"I'm not surprised that Jon is reaching his potential because he's the kind of kid that seeks to do that," Holliday said. "I'm really proud of him, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what he does as a senior."
And Holliday and Walton are excited that Perrin is back in Stillwater for that senior season. The Detroit Tigers selected Perrin in the 33rd round of the MLB draft after his breakout junior season. His selection came in the middle of the Cowboys' Super Regional against UC Irvine so Perrin considers that one of the best and worst experiences of his year.
"Having to deal with that in the middle of a Super Regional and slipping a little bit farther than I wanted to was obviously disheartening," Perrin said. "At the same time, it's an honor. I thank Detroit for selecting me when they did, but I'm just glad to be back in school and I think that was the right decision."
Perrin said that he came to the conclusion to return after talking to his family and having a two-hour, one-on-one conversation with his younger brother, Matt.
"I am excited about senior year and the buzz around the program," Perrin said. "I think we're going to have a great year, and I'm glad to be a part of it.
"I'm going to use this year to get better and to improve in every facet. There were times last year when I wasn't at my best in some big games so getting stronger and staying healthy all year is big for me."
And it's not just individual goals that drive Perrin, who is 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA in his two starts on the young season.
The defending Big 12 champs are ranked 10th in the country and have their eyes set on continuing OSU's return to national prominence and a berth in the College World Series.
"Everyone's excited, and everyone's pumped up," Perrin said. "When I stepped on campus my freshman year, I never thought I'd be talking in front of cameras about the season. There just wasn't that kind of buzz around the team. This year, everyone's real excited."
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