Rockies' Strickland at home in 'pen
That's because Strickland is back where he belongs, in the bullpen, dominating in a way that some wouldn't have imagined possible after watching him pitch this season in college. The 22-year-old was a starter this year at GSU, going 3-4 and not exactly thriving in the role. A lack of starting depth necessitated the move, but Casper has no such problems, so Strickland returned to the 'pen, a move that has been nothing short of triumphant.
Despite pitching with a strained left hamstring he suffered two weeks ago in Billings, Strickland is 2-1 with a 0.83 ERA in 16 games. He has a pair of saves and has struck out 25 in 21 1/3 innings, serving as the front end of a potent 1-2 punch with closer Andrew Johnston (1-1, 10 saves, 0.00 ERA in 16 games).
"I'm just a lot more comfortable out of the 'pen," Strickland said. "It fits me. Ask any coach I've had in the past and they'll say it's my mentality to come out of the 'pen. I thrive on that situation. In college, the staff wasn't as deep as it is here, so I had to start. But I love what I'm doing now.
"I talked to my coaches in college and they told me scouts were saying I'd be a setup/closer guy when I was drafted. I was happy to hear that. I always thrive in pressure situations. I do better when I'm under pressure. I'm more nervous with a six-run lead than I am with a one- or two-run lead. That's just how I'm put together."
Strickland said the reason for his success in the Pioneer League is layered. For starters, he doesn't have the burden of facing aluminum bats, so it's easier to attack the hitter. Also, he's worked with pitching coach Richard Palacious on keeping his pitches down. And don't discount the fact that he's a bit older than most of the players in this rookie league.
As a result, Strickland says he's pitching with more confidence, allowing him to be more aggressive. Plus, since he's only pitching an inning or two rather than six or seven, he doesn't have to pace himself. Going hard on every pitch isn't out of the question.
"When I first got here Rich told us we're not going to learn about hitting spots, that we're just going to learn how to pitch down over the center of the plate," Strickland said. "It seemed like a great place to start. I've been pitching down all summer and the results have been great. That, along with the wood bats and my new role, have been great."
The one drawback about being in Casper is the fact that Strickland is away from his 4-year-old son, Dylan. He hasn't seen the youngster since leaving for Wyoming, though Dylan and his grandparents will be in town this weekend when the Rockies take on Ogden.
The youngster lives with his mother in Georgia, but during the school year Strickland got to see him several times a week and on the weekends. Now he has to settle for a daily phone call, and there are times when the little guy just doesn't understand where his father is.
"He was definitely the biggest thing on my mind when I got drafted," Strickland said. "My whole family is very supportive and he has everyone at home taking care of him. And while I talk to him every day, it's different not seeing him. Sometimes I don't think he understands, but he'll brag that his dad plays for the Rockies.
"Out here, when I tell people I have a kid, they're like, 'Wow.' No one expects it because I'm young and not married. But it's definitely changed me for the good. It made me grow up, especially through college. But now I'm gone and when I call him up, he'll ask if I'm going to come pick him up and I have to tell him I'm playing baseball in another state. Recently, he's started to grasp that dad is gone and that he'll be getting on a plane to come see me. It will be really good to see him."
Strickland already feels at home in Casper. Imagine how well he'll do when he actually has a piece of home there with him.
Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com.