The Virginia Tech Hokies' baseball season recently started though a few games have already been either postponed or cancelled due to weather in Blacksburg. The Hokies have not gotten off to a very good start with a 3-4 record, but one starting pitcher is already looking like a potential ace.
Virginia Tech moved Jon Woodcock from the bullpen to the starting rotation and the redshirt junior has taken off this season.
Woodcock is currently 1-0 in his two starts in 13 innings pitched. The fact that Woodcock has had two starts of 6 and 7 innings is impressive for a collegiate starting pitcher. However, Woodcock also has the strong numbers to back up how he is looking like Virginia Tech's new ace.
Woodcock currently has a 3.46 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 13 innings for an average of 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings which is extremely impressive. Woodcock has given up 2 home runs, but has only given up 6 total hits which is even more impressive that he is giving up less than 1 hit every 2 innings on average.
Opposing hitters are only batting .130 against Jon Woodcock in his first two starts which is a good sign for how good he will be this season. Woodcock's 4 walks aren't ideal, but with the high volume of strikeouts he has, those walks are not nearly as big of an issue.
Having a guy like Woodcock who can pitch 6 or 7 innings and provide quality starts will be important for giving the Hokies' bullpen some extra rest in certain cases. Woodcock and Sean Keselica are forming a dangerous 1-2 punch at the front of the Hokies' rotation that may be able to lead the Hokies to a renaissance season if Virginia Tech's hitting improves from their struggles this past weekend.
Jon Woodcock is emerging as an ace that could help the Hokies have a small renaissance in ACC play this season.
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