Advertisement
baseball Edit

Destino aims for better numbers at the plate in 2016

Alex Destino
Alex Destino (Gamecock Central)

The moment Alex Destino fully realized he wasn’t at North Buncombe High School anymore occurred last April when he watched Vanderbilt pitcher Carson Fulmer, soon to be a high first-round draft pick, dominate South Carolina batters over seven innings.

Adjusting to quality pitchers like Fulmer is a fact of life for most SEC hitters, even highly recruited prospects such as Destino, who experienced his share of frustrations a season ago as he hit a disappointing .251 (42-167) with six homers and 35 RBI, walking just nine times compared to 41 strikeouts.

Destino is the first to admit his freshman campaign failed to live up to expectations or the hype that greeted him when he first stepped onto campus.

“We were all humbled by (last season)”, Destino said. “We had an off-year, but we don’t want that to happen again. I definitely did not play up to my full potential. It was a very big learning experience for me.

“Coming into the SEC as a freshman, it was definitely a shock coming from high school and facing the best pitchers in the country. Throughout the year, I became more comfortable, so I’m excited to see where that takes me this year.”

Destino drew parallels between No. 1 starters in the SEC and mid-level minor league pitchers.

“Every Friday night we’re facing Double-A pitchers,” Destino marveled. “It’s unbelievable. You go from high school where a very good pitcher throws the ball about 88 miles per hour to Carson Fulmer, who was arguably the best pitcher in the country last year. It was a shock. You look out there and see a first-rounder sitting on a lot of money right now and he’s a professional. It was a huge learning experience.”

With the start of his sophomore season just days away, preseason camp has demonstrated Destino could be on the verge of a breakthrough season as he has continually hammered Gamecock pitching in the scrimmages.

“I’ve become more disciplined and laying off pitches I was swinging at last year,” Destino said. “I’ve worked very hard in the weight room to trim down and get to the point where I can play a position this year. That’s what Coach Holbrook wanted me to do in the offseason, and that’s something I put on myself. I’m excited to see where that puts me this year.

“This year, I’m taking it upon myself to not just perform better mentally and physically, but be a better leader in e very aspect on and off the field.”

Destino lost about five to 10 pounds in order to make himself more mobile in order to play in the field.

“I wanted to trim down so I could run around the outfield and feel more comfortable,” Destino said. “Playing first base, I wanted to be able to move laterally quicker. I put that upon myself because Coach Holbrook said he wanted to see me improve in that aspect. I took it very seriously.”

The new season brings a new position for Destino. After primarily serving as the designated hitter in 2015, Destino enters this season as the starting first baseman.

“Coach told me he doesn’t want me DHing this year,” Destino said. “He wants me at a position. We talked about first base and left field. I’ve been working hard to play either position on opening day.”

Destino was an elite pitcher in high school and still hopes to see the mound after hurling just 0.2 innings in 2015.

“Coach (Jerry) Meyers and I have been talking about it,” Destino said. “I couldn’t tell you exactly how much I’m going to throw or give you an inning count, but I am going into the season thinking I’m going to be pitching.”

Destino maintained he senses a different vibe around the Gamecocks this season.

“We have a group full of confident guys,” Destino said. “We all know we came up short last season. We’re all excited to prove people wrong. We just want to go out there and play the kind of baseball we know we’re capable of and bring the fans what they want, which is a lot of wins.”

Destino did not sign with USC to sit on the sidelines during the NCAA Tournament, so he has used last season’s failed expectations as motivation for this upcoming season.

“We all know we didn’t do what we wanted to last season, so we intend to improve how we play and act in the dugout and the morale around this team,” Destino said. “I’m very excited for this year.”

NOTES

-- USC announced Monday night the pitching rotation for the Albany series: Friday – RHP Clarke Schmidt; Saturday – RHP Braden Webb; Sunday – RHP Taylor Widener.

-- USC also announced Tuesday afternoon left-hander John Parke would undergo ulnar collateral ligament surgery (a/k/a Tommy John surgery) on his left elbow and would miss the entire 2016 season. Parke compiled a 2-0 record and 0.00 ERA in 9.1 innings last season with 10 strikeouts and 10 walks.

Advertisement
Advertisement