Super-sized starter
Big 6-foot-7, 260-pound pitcher Gabe Klobosits has earned a spot in Auburn’s weekend rotation.
AUBURN | Gabe Klobosits looks like he could hold his own on a football field.
But it’s the pitching mound where the 6-foot-7, 260-pound junior college transfer will make his Auburn debut.
Klobosits, a junior college transfer, is expected to begin the season as one of Auburn’s weekend starters. He performed well in his final warmup during an intra-squad game Sunday.
“I think he earned his start today for next Sunday,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “He's been there for the third week in a row. He was efficient. From that first weekend we've talked about needing some pitching depth and efficiency.
“For a starter to go out and throw 30 pitches in three innings, he’s got a very viable fastball. He came out and really pitched with his fastball and then when some runners got in scoring position in the fourth inning, I thought he went to some off-speed pitches and made some good pitches. We're excited about him.”
Klobosits can touch the low 90’s with his fastball and will also work in a splitter, slider and curveball. He didn’t expect to be a starter coming out of fall drills but that was before Thompson was hired in October.
“It's a great feeling going from where I was in the fall,” Klobosits said. “I was planning on being out of the bullpen but I worked hard and made things happen.”
It didn’t take long for Thompson to make a good impression on Klobosits.
“I've 100 percent bought into his plan,” he said. “It showed (Sunday). He came in and talked to me and just reemphasized everything. I'm 100 percent bought in and I think all of our pitching staff is bought in. Pitch counts are down, everyone is into the game, more efficient, and we're ready to do some great things.”
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