TJ Pecoraro

Me and Vandy
Season Stats
era w-l app-gs cg sho sv ip h r er bb so 2b 3b hr ab b/avg wp hbp bk sfa sha
1.57 7-0 16 - 5 0 0/4 0 39.2 26 8 7 13 41 3 2 1 142 .183 1 2 2 1 0

2011 Vanderbilt Baseball: Fall Preview, Part 1

TJ Pecoraro might end up competing with Ziomek for the most innings eaten up by a freshman, featuring stuff that draws Nick Christiani comparisons.

Also featuring a degree of polish and talent that should earn early innings is Half Hollow Hills West High graduate TJ Pecoraro out of Dix Hills, New York. Pecoraro is, on the optimistic projection, a Nick Christiani-like righty who can pitch right off the bat. At about the same stature (6’ 150 lb) as Christiani when he arrived in 2005 and with just about as much life on his heater (low 90s MPH), Pecoraro was deemed college rotation ready by scouts at the Area Code games where he dominated some of the best competition in the nation. He rounds out the fastball with a biting slider, an 11-to-5 curve and a changeup. Pecoraro will likely see time initially as a setup man, but Corbin did hand Christiani, with similar stuff, the closer role as a freshman. He eventually projects out to be a starter, but will likely start out in the pen for a very deeply staffed rotation like Vanderbilt’s.

TJ Pecoraro is also likely to see significant time as a freshman, having been branded as “college-ready” by Perfect Game at the Area Code Games in 2009. Pecoraro comes off as a Nick Christiani-like player and its no secret that Corbin trusted Christiani early and often as a freshman in the closer role. Pecoraro’s mix of a lively low-90s fastball and an array of sliders, curves and changeups proved among the most effective of weapons during the Area Code Games and, to the extent he’s able to continue to refine those pitches, he could stand to leapfrog some of his more senior teammates in the bullpen.

Freshmen Kemp, Pecoraro lead VU to win
Pecoraro notched his first win in his first collegiate start pitching four shutout innings. The New York native scattered three hits and fanned five in his debut. Clinard earned the save, his second, recording the final six outs and striking out a pair of Bruins. Belmont starter Garrett Fanchier was saddled with the loss giving up four unearned runs on four hits in his four innings of work.

Vanderbilt pitcher T. J. Pecoraro (40) is congratulated after pitching his way out of an early-inning jam against Belmont.
Vanderbilt vs Belmont Box Score
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np
T.J. Pecoraro W,1-0 4.0 3 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 15 16 6 1 65 Pecoraro 65/39

March 8 2011
Commodores pound Wofford, 12-1
Freshman T.J. Pecoraro earned his second win in as many starts turning in five solid innings. The right-hander allowed one run on three hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. Wofford starter Drew Sheridan took the loss for the Terriers giving up seven runs, three earned, on five hits across four innings.
Vanderbilt vs Wofford Box Score
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np era Pitches/strikes
T.J. Pecoraro W,2-0 5.0 3 1 1 0 8 0 1 0 0 18 18 5 2 89 1.29 Pecoraro 89/56

Freshman of the Week Nomination
T.J. Pecoraro, RHP, 5-11, 160, Dix Hills, NY
• Weekly totals: 1G, 5.0IP, 3H, 1R/1ER, 0BB, 8K
• Notched his second win of the year in just his second start for Vandy with win over Wofford.
• Struck out a career-best eight batters in win.
• Did not issue a walk for the first time in his career.
• Fanned five straight batters in the second and third innings.

Purdue vs Vanderbilt (Mar 15, 2011) First collegiate relief appearance
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np Pitches/strikes
T.J. Pecoraro 2.2 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 7 9 2 5 32 Pecoraro 32/19

Mississippi State vs Vanderbilt (Mar 18, 2011) First game closing appearance
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np Pitches/strikes
T.J. Pecoraro 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 4 2 0 15 Pecoraro 15/10

UT-Martin vs Vanderbilt (Mar 29, 2011) Second start
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np Pitches/strikes
T.J. Pecoraro W,4-0 3.0 4 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 11 13 2 4 49 Pecoraro 49/34

Vanderbilt vs Auburn (Apr 01, 2011) Closing appearance
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np Pitches/strikes
T.J. Pecoraro 1.0 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 5 7 1 2 20 Pecoraro 20/11

Middle Tennessee St. vs Vanderbilt (Apr 05, 2011)
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np Pitches/strikes
T.J. Pecoraro W,5-0 2.0 1 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 7 8 1 2 29 Pecoraro 29/17

Vanderbilt vs Middle Tennessee St. (Apr 12, 2011)
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np Pitches/strikes
T.J. Pecoraro W,6-0 5.0 2 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 0 17 18 6 5 67 Pecoraro 67/42

LSU vs Vanderbilt (Apr 22, 2011) Closed game
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np Pitches/strikes
T.J. Pecoraro 2.0 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 7 7 0 2 28 Pecoraro 28/21.

LSU vs Vanderbilt (Apr 24, 2011)
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np Pitches/strikes
T.J. Pecoraro 0.0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 9 Pecoraro 9/4

Tennessee vs Vanderbilt (Apr 29, 2011) Closed game
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np Pitches/strikes
T.J. Pecoraro 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 1 11 Pecoraro 11/9

Vanderbilt vs Kentucky (May 08, 2011) 8th inning
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np Pitches/strikes
T.J. Pecoraro 0.2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 1 1 11 Pecoraro 11/7

Vanderbilt vs Louisville (May 10, 2011)
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np
T.J. Pecoraro 3.0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 11 12 4 4 34 Pecoraro 34/22

Vanderbilt vs Georgia (May 20, 2011) Relief
Vanderbilt ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go np
T.J. Pecoraro W,7-0 3.1 2 0 0 1 6 1 0 0 0 12 13 3 1 61 Pecoraro 61/40
Pitcher of the Week Nomination
T.J. Pecoraro, RHP, 5-11, 160, Dix Hills, NY
• Weekly totals: 1G/0GS, 3.1IP, 2H, 0R/0ER, 1BB, 6K
• Earned his seventh win of the year working 3.1 scoreless innings in relief at Georgia.
• Set a career-high in SEC play with six strikeouts.

May 20, 2011

Bullpen leads Dores to win over Bulldogs

Freshmen combine for 6.1 scoreless innings Box Score
Athens, Ga. - Vanderbilt topped Georgia 9-3 Friday night at Foley Field to even the series at one game apiece.
Freshman T.J. Pecoraro entered the game with two runners on base in the third inning and the Commodores clinging to a one-run lead. The right-hander worked out of the jam and pitched 3.1 scoreless innings to earn his seventh win of the year fanning six and allowing only one hit. Fellow freshman Kevin Ziomek picked up his first save of his career turning in three scoreless innings of his own to finish off Vanderbilt's 43rd win of the year and 21st Southeastern Conference win. The victory paired with Kentucky's win at Florida moved the Commodores back into a three-way tie atop the league with Florida and South Carolina, who won at Alabama.

Hoover, Ala. - T.J. Pecoraro's elbow issue signals the first significant injury of the Commodores' season. While many who watched Pecoraro walk off the field speculated that it didn't look serious, it brings to light the realization that the Commodores have been extremely fortunate regarding serious injuries and that injury in itself is an inherent part of the game.

The Vanderbilt baseball program has enjoyed a long run of remarkable health among its talented corps of arms. It's not by mistake as pitching coach Derek Johnson is a true scientist when it comes to building pitchers with the support of trainer Chris Ham and strength coach Gabe Teeple. If Pecoraro does need ulnar transplant surgery, commonly referred to as Tommy John surgery, T.J. will be able to rely on his teammates. Curt Casali, Mark Lamm and Navery Moore are all veterans of the surgery made famous by the former Major League southpaw and are eager to recount their own success stories.

"It was a similar injury for me as what happened to T.J.," recounted Navery Moore, who kept himself busy while rehabbing his senior year as a DH and earned All-Mid-State honors at BGA. "I was pitching in the sixth or seventh inning my junior year in high school and I felt a pop. I tried to throw another pitch, but the pain was there. It takes time to get the velocity back and your confidence. It is frustrating."

This season, Pecoraro has teamed up with southpaw Kevin Ziomek to form a freshmen tandem that shared the dual role of midweek starter and go-to conference weekend middle relievers. Pecoraro is personified as a freshman that had a true feel for pitching beyond his years, but the possibility of facing 16-18 months of rehabilitation can test the patience and self-confidence of most players.

"The first part of rehab for me was preparing my shoulder and forearm to be ready for when the elbow started healing," remembers Mark Lamm who had Tommy John surgery in August of 2009 after being injured in a summer league game. "The second part for me was tougher. When I actually started throwing I had a couple of setbacks. It hurt (the elbow) and when it did, I would think that I hurt it all over again. Ham (VU trainer) and my doctor told me that it was scar tissue and I had a brand new elbow, but in the back of my mind I have to admit, it bothered me."

Senior catcher Curt Casali actually delayed surgery on his right elbow during the 2009 season moving to first base instead and enjoyed a career year hitting .336 with 10 home runs and 59 RBI. "I think that it's toughest for pitchers because they have to get all their pitches back. I was just throwing straight. Pitchers have to get comfortable with throwing fastballs, curveballs and change-ups all over again. It's a challenge, but T.J. is a tough kid and he's a competitor."

It's the first significant injury for a team that has major post-season expectations. For Vanderbilt, this inopportune injury may yet turn into an opportunity for another Commodore to step up and play a bigger role this season, as was the case when Corey Williams went down with a shattered kneecap against Florida in 2010. Grayson Garvin turned it into a preview to this season's SEC Pitcher of the Year performance.

"It's always untimely," added Moore. "When it happens to you, eventually you realize that it's really all out of your hands. That's where being invested in your team and drawing off them helps you stay involved. It's tough not being able to pitch when that is what you do. T.J. has a terrific mindset as a pitcher, much better than mine was in high school. We are there for him as has been there for us."