University of Georgia Athletics
Catching Up With Head Coach David Perno
December 17, 2010 | Baseball
Dec. 17, 2010
Georgia head coach David Perno reflects back on fall practice and the preparation for the 2011 campaign. Now in his 10th year at the helm, Perno and the Bulldogs will open the 2011 season on Feb. 18 against Stetson in Deland, Fla. Georgia's home opener will be Feb. 23 against Furman followed by a three-game series with Baylor starting on the 25th.
How did fall practice go and what, if anything, was different this time out?
Everybody is healthy, so that's good, and I think we accomplished a lot. We made some philosophical changes in our approach, and our guys responded well. By the end of fall practice, we certainly didn't look like a team that went 16-37 last year. We didn't dwell on the past, and the players didn't either. It was competitive, there was a lot of energy, and the guys adjusted to what we were teaching.
What do you mean by "philosophical changes" in the staff's approach?
From a pitching standpoint, we're not worried about the reading on the radar gun. We're focused on throwing the baseball where we want it. Offensively, we're looking for more consistency including a better job of situational hitting. Defensively, it's more of a conservative approach. For example, we want to manage the game better and stay out of the big inning. Some of that is tied to the pitching. I think our greatest strength is going to be our team defense. We have a chance to be one of the better defensive clubs since I've been here.
The Georgia teams with the three highest fielding percentages in school history have come under your tenure, so what's special about the 2011 club?
The depth on this year's team has something to do with it along with the experience. We've got four outfielders, and they have all played the last two years. They are going in to their third year, and three of them are capable of playing all three spots. We have some older, versatile infielders too. They get it. Levi Hyams, Kyle Farmer, Colby May and newcomer Curt Powell will see time at second, shortstop and third. First base is going to be handled by newcomer Jonathan Hester and Kevin Ruiz.
How are you going to manage playing time for four outfielders?
We're going to be flexible, and they will probably all be in the lineup most days with one of them serving as a designated hitter. Johnathan Taylor, Zach Cone and Peter Verdin are capable of playing all three spots (combined for 16 assists in 2010) while Chase Davidson will see time in right field. Zach was our Triple Crown leader last year (.363-10-53) and that was with a young team around him. This year, he's capable of having an even better year with more experienced hitters in the lineup.
Georgia's opponents were extremely successful in stealing bases last season, how was the competition at catcher in the fall?
We've got four catchers, and the frontrunners are freshman Brandon Stephens and junior Joey Delmonico. We've got Brett DeLoach and Carson Schilling who helped us last year too. Brandon is a high school All-American and Joey comes in with a couple years of experience in junior college. They did a nice job in the fall as we look for more accountability from the pitchers and catchers. We want them to be able to execute a plan. It's not how hard you're throwing but where you are throwing the baseball.
Any surprise standouts from the fall that played in 2010?
I'd say Ben Cornwell and Chase Davidson stood out. Ben didn't throw much for us last year coming off elbow surgery, and he looked good this fall. He was throwing harder and more consistent. Chase led us in about every offensive category, and defensively, he looked more comfortable in the outfield. Those two guys looked like different players compared to last year. I'd like to mention Johnathan Taylor as well. He picked up where he left off, playing really well. He finished 2010 great (raising his average from .271 to .335 over the last month) and had an outstanding fall.
Who are the leading candidates to be in the 2011 starting rotation?
It would be Michael Palazzone, Craig Gullickson and Alex Wood. Ben (Cornwell) could be the number four and Eric Swegman showed better stuff this fall. Michael has the experience, Craig has it from his time at Clemson, and Alex is healthy and ready to pitch now. I feel confident about our starters. They consistently threw strikes, and we want them to command the count. That's the key. We want the pitchers to force contact, softer contact than last year.
Who are the top bullpen options for 2011?
We've got options and some roles are still in the air. One thing we're looking for is Cecil Tanner to be our stopper, not necessarily the closer, but to be able to give us anywhere from one to four innings to preserve a lead or get the tough outs when the game is on the line. It's similar to what we did with Will Startup several years ago. Cooper (Moseley) was really good and Earl Daniels too. They threw strikes. Also, we're going to have Blake Dieterich, Clayton McKenney, Chase Hawkins, Tyler Maloof, Patrick Boling and Bryan Benzor to give us some innings.
Did any of the coaching responsibilities change now that you're working with the pitchers?
It's more of collaboration this year. We all have input, and it's exciting for the staff to be able to help each other. I'm working with our pitching and defense. Oz (Allen Osborne) is with the hitters and will coach third base. Jason Eller and Jason Jacobs are helping with the pitchers and catchers. I felt like we needed to create that type of approach in the staff. Oz comes in with experience as a head coach and former catcher. Coach Eller and I have worked with the hitters the last few years, so we have an idea of what they are capable of doing.
Is there anything going on at Foley Field now in the off-season?
The new chairback seats are going in around the stadium. They have put down some new turf in the bullpen and around home plate too.
