Published: May 07, 2008 12:28 am            

COLUMN: Gyorko makes most of big break

MORGANTOWN — Timing, they say, is everything, and Jedd Gyorko’s timing couldn’t have been any better in joining West Virginia University’s baseball team.

As humble as he is talented, and that would make him quite humble, Gyorko caught what might have been the best break of his still budding baseball career by joining the surprising Mountaineers before shortstop Tyler Kuhn departed.

Oh, Kuhn could have left after last season when he completed his junior year, having been drafted in the 33rd round by the Cleveland Indians, but he opted to return to college to see if he could increase his value while getting more experience.

“It was a tremendous value for our team and for Jedd that Tyler came back for his senior year,” said coach Greg Van Zant, who this weekend took a big hit in an effort to solidify a place in the Big East tournament when the Mountaineers were swept in a three-game series at St. John’s.

“I think Tyler made a great move. I would say he’s going to increase his position in the draft. He could have signed as a junior, but why give up your senior year for a low-round pick?”

Considering Kuhn is hitting 431 with 9 home runs and 51 RBIs and scouts from numerous teams have been in contact with him and his family, it would appear he made the right choice.

It may be that Gyorko got equal benefit out of Kuhn’s decision.

It’s probable that the former University High star from Morgantown and brother of one-time WVU linebacker Scott Gyorko could have come in and taken over the shortstop job as a freshman had Kuhn left, but that would have thrust him into the world of college baseball without a mentor.

Kuhn’s presence has allowed Gyorko to learn the ins and outs of the sport on a higher level, just as Kuhn benefited when he arrived on the scene four years ago and found junior Doug Nelms the incumbent at shortstop.

Like Gyorko, Kuhn had to switch to second base to accommodate Nelms for two seasons. And, like Gyorko, he got to learn at an experienced player’s knee. Now he’s become the mentor and Gyorko his prodigy.

“Jedd’s not your typical freshman. He had the opportunity to come in and start right away, which is what I had to do. I’ve kind of lived the life. I saw what older guys need to do to help a freshman be successful,” Kuhn said.

Not that Kuhn had much to do with honing Gyorko’s impressive baseball skills.

Gyorko started the season hitting over .500 for a long while, until he “tweaked his back,” the term being that of Van Zant.

Not that he missed any games or even so much as complained. He isn’t the type.

Even now, having played through the injury, Gyorko is hitting .423 with six homers and 54 RBIs.

He’s done that while adjusting to college life, learning a new position at second base and carrying the load of hitting third in the WVU lineup that has been among the top offensive lineups in college baseball.

It is safe to assume he might not have been able to handle such a load without Kuhn to help him along.

“He’s taught me so much I don’t think I could repeat it all,” said Gyorko. “It will stay with me the rest of my career here, though. He knows every in and out of college baseball. As far as playing second base, he’s played there and was able to help me.”

Kuhn says his help there has been modest, at best.

“The position is very similar (to shortstop). Just the turn of the double play is all he needed help with,” Kuhn said.

And it wasn’t much of a lesson.

“Jedd’s the kind of kid, you tell him once and he figures it out,” Kuhn said.

But there is so much more than that.

“He’s helped me a lot at the plate. He’s seen a lot of the pitchers we face, and he can tell me how they are going to pitch me,” Gyorko noted.

“I’ve been hitting 1-2 since I’ve been here, either leading off or hitting second. I’ve been able to see the pitcher before other guys come up. I treat Jedd just like everyone else. I tell him what the pitcher has. He doesn’t need a lot of help. He’s a natural talent. He’s a tough out,” Kuhn said.

The thing that has impressed Van Zant the most is how Gyorko slid right into the No. 3 spot in the lineup, accepting the responsibilities that come with a spot that requires one to hit for average and power while driving in runs.

“It’s pretty tough for anyone to hit third, let alone a true freshman. You get pitched a lot tougher at third than you do at No. 8 or 9. He’s always getting breaking balls and doesn’t see many fastballs,” Van Zant said.

It is off the field, perhaps, where Kuhn’s guidance has been most important.

“I try to show him what it’s all about. Like on the road, a lot of kids come in here and won’t have breakfast in the morning, something small like that. I try to set examples because I’ve been here four years,” Kuhn said.

The plans are for Gyorko to move to shortstop next year when Kuhn exits, but Van Zant says that’s going to be up to him.

“He has to win the job in the fall. Just like he wasn’t handed second base, he had to earn that position. He’ll have to earn the shortstop job next fall,” the coach said.

Right, and Noel Devine has to earn the running back job on the WVU football team this year.

E-mail Bob Hertzel at bhertzel@hotmail.com.

        

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