Desmond opts for IUP
BUTLER TWP — James Desmond wants to grow as a left-handed pitcher. So why not be coached by one?
The Butler senior will experience exactly that as he recently signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and baseball career at Indiana (Pa.) University. He is undecided on his major.
The Crimson Hawks are coached by Steve Kline, a former southpaw who pitched in the major leagues for 11 years. He spent 15 years as a pitching coach in the San Francisco Giants organization — last coaching at Class AA Richmond in 2020 — before accepting the IUP head coaching job last year.
While working in the minor leagues, Kline coached 100 players who eventually got to the majors.
“I’m looking forward to him working with me,” Desmond said. “Who better to learn from than another guy who throws left-handed and pitched for a long time at the highest level? I’m sure he can help my game.
“Coach Kline was one of the biggest reasons I chose IUP. He’s done a remarkable job turning that program around.”
The Crimson Hawks were 2-35 — 1-27 in PSAC play — in 2021, the year before Kline took over. IUP fashioned a 27-22 overall record, 16-12 in league play, in 2022. It marked the program’s first overall winning season since 2015.
Desmond will be joining Butler graduates Cooper Baxter and Colin Patterson with the Crimson Hawks next year. Both are freshmen this year. Baxter is a pitcher, Patterson a corner infielder.
“Those guys were helpful to me during the recruiting process,” Desmond said. “They’re enjoying their experiences there so far and I’m looking forward to joining them.”
Desmond pitched 17.1 innings for the Golden Tornado his junior season, putting together a 1-0 record with a 1.61 earned run average. He had 30 strikeouts and walked 12.
“James’ strength right now is his changeup,” Butler coach Josh Forbes said. “His slider and change produce a lot of swings and misses. He’s gained some weight and has gotten stronger since last year.
“I can see his fastball hitting between 86 and 88 miles per hour. A left-hander who can throw like that will serve him well at the next level.”
Desmond is one of five Butler baseball players to sign letters of intent for college recently. Three of them — Madden Clement, Colin Casteel and Desmond — are pitchers.
“Add to that the fact we had Cooper throwing for us last spring, there were only so many innings to go around,” Forbes said. “James worked out of our bullpen a lot last year. He may be more of a starter next spring.
“What I like about him is he relishes the moment. He wants the ball when the game is on the line.”
Desmond also considered Washington & Jefferson before deciding on IUP.
“I was pretty locked on IUP, though,” he said. “I’m looking to get more innings (at Butler) in the spring and help us win a WPIAL championship. My goal in baseball in college is to earn an opportunity from the beginning and take advantage of it.
“My changeup works well off my fastball. I’m confident Coach Kline can improve my repertoire of pitches. I just want to keep getting better.”
