Start small, master the basics, and then throw strikes.
It’s a simple plan — at least in theory — and one that pitcher Gary Cornish has adhered to since he joined the Cyclones earlier this summer. The right-hander established himself as reliable arm out of the Brooklyn bullpen this season, in large part because he’s focused on the little aspects of his game.
“Getting ahead early and not missing in the zone in two-strike counts,” Cornish said of his on-mound approach. “Working with my pitching coach Billy Bryk on mechanics and have gotten a lot more depth on a lot of my pitches, and it’s paying off.”
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound reliever has made strides since the beginning of the season, settling into a rhythm that has helped boost his confidence every time he steps onto the field.
“I think when you look at my first outing versus now, my stuff’s gotten a lot better,” Cornish said.
The former San Diego standout has appeared in 13 games, giving up six runs in 22 innings and posting a 2.45 earned run average. He’s done a good job of finding the strike zone as well, fanning 37 batters while recording just two walks.
It’s a performance that earned praise from Brooklyn skipper Tom Gamboa, who said that Cornish has “real good stuff” in his pitching arsenal and often hurls the ball above 90 miles per hour.
“He’s always in the 90s and gets as high as 94,” Gamboa said. “And he’s got a very hard, late-breaking ball that, obviously, he needs to get better command of. He gets some chases on it at this level when it’s not in the strike zone, but it’s going to be a very effective No. 2 pitch as he develops and gets command of it.”
Cornish’s success has been a long time coming.
The Dodgers drafted the Arizona native in the 19th round in 2014, but he opted not to sign and instead took the college route. Cornish was recruited by Arizona, USC, San Diego State, Oklahoma, and UC Riverside before landing at the University of San Diego. The Mets drafted him in the 19th round in 2015.
Life as a pro has been a bit of a wake-up call for Cornish, particularly after throwing in front of smaller crowds at college, but the righty said he doesn’t focus on the changes. He only cares about throwing strikes.
“To be honest, I don’t really think about it, ever,” Cornish said. “I’ve never thought about the crowd when I’m out there. You kind of take it in after you’re done, but when you’ve got a job to do it’s pretty intense out there and regardless of where we’re at in the season, when it’s your runs given up you take it pretty seriously. At least I do.”
