by Phil Parker
Daily Lobo
Junior right-handed pitcher James Vermilyea is a soft-spoken guy, which is surprising considering he's such an important leader for this year's UNM baseball team - conference leader, that is.
He leads the Mountain West Conference in strikeouts, innings pitched, ERA and is tied for the lead in wins. Vermilyea is second in the conference in games started and is holding opposing batters to just a .277 average. He also hasn't lost a start since his first outing in January and has a perfect record of 4-0 in conference play.
Vermilyea has been named MWC Pitcher of the Week twice this year, and three times in his career.
Pro scouts yielding radar guns are attending his games and Vermilyea is considered such a promising prospect that he may not be back for his senior year because with each stellar start, professional baseball is becoming a more viable option.
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When asked about his fantastic season, the Lobo ace is under-whelmed.
"Yeah, it's been pretty good," he said. A few moments of silence later, he continues, "It's been a lot better than the last two years."
Vermilyea was second-team all conference last year and is almost assured a spot on the first team this season.
His coach isn't quite so quiet when describing Vermilyea's year.
"He's pitched real well," head coach Rich Alday said. "He throws for strikes and we've been really excited about him."
Though well proportioned for a pitcher at 6 feet 4 inches and 195 pounds, Vermilyea wasn't recruited from his high school in Tucson, Ariz. He came to UNM because "it was either here or a Division II school in Colorado. I sent letters to a bunch of different schools and UNM actually showed an interest."
"He basically recruited us," Alday said. "He wanted to go somewhere that he could play. He pitched a lot his freshman year so it was a good move for him."
Alday said that pitching in summer leagues and avoiding injury have been keys to his improvement.
"Coach got me a spot in the Cape Cod League," said Vermilyea about his summer training. "That was good to get experience and gain confidence, playing against some of the best in the country."
Developing a variety of pitches has also been important. With each windup, the opposing batter faces the daunting task of guessing among Vermilyea's two-seam fastball, his slider, his changeup or his split-fingered fastball. The last of which his coach calls his "strikeout pitch."
And as far as the pros are concerned, Vermilyea is taking a wait-and-see approach.
"I have no expectations," he said. Though Alday says that Vermilyea will be a high draft pick, and that he doesn't expect to have him back next year, the pitcher himself isn't so sure.
"I expect to be back next year," he said. "Obviously if I'm drafted I'll definitely consider signing. I've always wanted to pitch and the ultimate goal is to improve to the next level."
Vermilyea isn't the only pro prospect on a stacked Lobo squad. Joe Salas has pitched 19 times this season and has also been an important hitter in the lineup with a .358 average. Shortstop Dusty Young has been sharp defensively all year and set a team record by hitting safely in 39 straight games this season. And of course there is first baseman Chris Alexander who has had a monster senior year with 23 home runs and 85 RBIs.
Of all the talent on his team, though, Alday says Vermilyea is his best professional prospect. "Pitching wise, he's gonna go out and be successful," he said. "I think he has a great shot to go on and maybe even make it to the big leagues."
