Inside Pitch with Seth Maness
After the 2012 Palm Beach Cardinals roster was released, all eyes centered around St. Louis Cardinals No.2 overall prospect Carlos Martinez. After all, the rocket right-arm of Martinez has had scouts raving since he joined the professional circuit, however it has been another pitcher that has stolen the show for the Palm Beach pitching staff.
Michael Seth Maness, an 11th round draft pick out of East Carolina University in 2011, not only has gained the confidence of his coaching staff, as he was handed the ball on Opening Day, but has baffled hitters throughout the Florida State League. In three starts, the 6'0" 180-pound right-hander has tossed 20 innings, allowing two earned runs, striking out 14 while not issuing a single walk.
"I just play to my strengths," said Maness about his hot start. "I have to rely on my command and changing speeds to get people out. Not trying to do too much and just competing first pitch to last. I try to stay as level headed as possible because there is always room for improvement. No matter how well you may have thought you did there are still areas that you can improve."
Despite being overlooked by major baseball circuits, Maness had a brilliant collegiate career. In four seasons at East Carolina University, Maness earned Conference USA First-Team honors each season. He ranks first all-time at ECU in wins (38), strikeouts (334), starts (61) and innings pitched (411.2). He closed out his Conference USA career with a 24-5 all-time record, while being named 2010 C-USA Pitcher of the Year and 2008 Freshman of the Year.
With his success in college, Maness quickly took the reins across three different minor league levels in 2011. In his first professional assignment, he looked like a man pitching to children as he posted a 0.91 ERA in short-season Batavia. After his invitation to the 2011 New York-Penn League All-Star Game, Maness was promoted to Advanced-A Palm Beach. After earning his first professional victory on August 20th, Maness was roughed for four runs on five hits three days later.
"I definitely want to succeed as does any other player but I can't harp on anything. I just have to play my game and 'let the chips fall as they may,'"
For the cool, easy-going Maness, it was another opportunity to overcome his struggles as he was sent down to Single-A Quad Cities following the Palm Beach season. The demotion did not get the best of Maness as he went out and competed for the eventual 2011 Midwest League Championships. In two games of relief duties, Maness pitched five innings of one run ball, earning his second professional victory.
This season, Maness is enjoying his second stint with Palm Beach a lot more, as his consistency around the plate and command of secondary pitches has made him nearly impossible to hit. In three starts, he leads the FSL in strikeouts-per-walk ratio, while his 0.90 ERA is second in the league.
"Play everyday like it's your last and have no regrets. Don't ever look back and say 'well what if I'd I had done'. The main thing is just compete and have the mental toughness to know that you are going to get the job done when called upon."
Michael Seth Maness, an 11th round draft pick out of East Carolina University in 2011, not only has gained the confidence of his coaching staff, as he was handed the ball on Opening Day, but has baffled hitters throughout the Florida State League. In three starts, the 6'0" 180-pound right-hander has tossed 20 innings, allowing two earned runs, striking out 14 while not issuing a single walk.
"I just play to my strengths," said Maness about his hot start. "I have to rely on my command and changing speeds to get people out. Not trying to do too much and just competing first pitch to last. I try to stay as level headed as possible because there is always room for improvement. No matter how well you may have thought you did there are still areas that you can improve."
Despite being overlooked by major baseball circuits, Maness had a brilliant collegiate career. In four seasons at East Carolina University, Maness earned Conference USA First-Team honors each season. He ranks first all-time at ECU in wins (38), strikeouts (334), starts (61) and innings pitched (411.2). He closed out his Conference USA career with a 24-5 all-time record, while being named 2010 C-USA Pitcher of the Year and 2008 Freshman of the Year.
With his success in college, Maness quickly took the reins across three different minor league levels in 2011. In his first professional assignment, he looked like a man pitching to children as he posted a 0.91 ERA in short-season Batavia. After his invitation to the 2011 New York-Penn League All-Star Game, Maness was promoted to Advanced-A Palm Beach. After earning his first professional victory on August 20th, Maness was roughed for four runs on five hits three days later.
"I definitely want to succeed as does any other player but I can't harp on anything. I just have to play my game and 'let the chips fall as they may,'"
For the cool, easy-going Maness, it was another opportunity to overcome his struggles as he was sent down to Single-A Quad Cities following the Palm Beach season. The demotion did not get the best of Maness as he went out and competed for the eventual 2011 Midwest League Championships. In two games of relief duties, Maness pitched five innings of one run ball, earning his second professional victory.
This season, Maness is enjoying his second stint with Palm Beach a lot more, as his consistency around the plate and command of secondary pitches has made him nearly impossible to hit. In three starts, he leads the FSL in strikeouts-per-walk ratio, while his 0.90 ERA is second in the league.
"Play everyday like it's your last and have no regrets. Don't ever look back and say 'well what if I'd I had done'. The main thing is just compete and have the mental toughness to know that you are going to get the job done when called upon."