Princeton equals pros for Larson

Bryce Alderton

Matt Larson can stop dreaming of making it into professional

baseball.

The former Corona del Mar High standout is there now, even after

an arm ailment tried to stall his progress.

The 23-year-old right-hander, who didn’t pitch for a year

following two seasons as a starter for Cal State Northridge, struck

out one in two innings of no-hit relief for the Princeton Devil Rays,

the rookie-ball affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, on July 29 in

his professional debut in Princeton, W.Va., five weeks after he

signed with the team. Then, on Aug. 1, came another first: Larson’s

first professional win.

He struck out five with no walks while scattering three hits in 2

2/3 scoreless innings in Princeton’s 5-4 victory over the Bluefield

Orioles.

Larson, who only began throwing again in April after taking a year

off to rest a right shoulder that battles bursitis, said he averaged

93-95 mph in his debut in the Devil Rays’ 8-4 loss to Greeneville in

the first game of a doubleheader.

“I was letting it loose, [the arm] felt good” Larson said. “The

adrenaline was pumping. My arm is getting stronger and stronger.”

In two games, he is 1-0 with five strikeouts, one walk and a 0.00

ERA.

Larson, drafted out of high school in the 28th round by the

Baltimore Orioles, has made the most of his short stint, thus far, in

the professional ranks, which officially began June 20 when Larson

signed his first pro contract following a tryout at Rio Hondo

College.

Two weeks before, however, Larson nearly signed with a different

team.

Scouts from the Montreal Expos were also interested in Larson. He

threw for them in a tryout a few days after the major league draft in

early June.

“I was close to signing with [the Expos],” Larson said. “But they

had no spots open for free agents to sign after the draft.”

Brett Elliston, a teammate of Larson’s at CdM, then told Larson

about the tryout at Rio Hondo.

Devil Rays scout Craig Weisman, who had watched Larson in high

school and at Cal State Northridge, was at Rio Hondo, along with 50

to 60 pitchers eager to show off their arms.

It didn’t take long before Larson, who amassed a .353 batting

average with nine home runs and 49 RBIs in a three-year varsity

career at CdM, was signing his autograph.

It was only in April that Larson began to get his arm in shape

after a year’s hiatus.

Bursitis is an inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons and the

bursa sacs that surround those tendons. Bursa sacs decrease the

friction when muscles and tendons, moving in opposite directions,

slide over the bones. The injury typically results from overuse, such

as repetitive throwing motions pitchers produce.

Larson first felt pain in his shoulder in December 2001, but

pitched the entire 2002 season and most of the following season

before stopping in April 2003.

He took ibuprofen and other over-the-counter medication for the

pain, which intensified to the point where Larson made a decision.

He took a medical redshirt for the 2003 season and sat out this

past season. The decision to sit out this season was entirely his.

“I wouldn’t have been able to get in shape. [The arm] hurt too

much,” said Larson, who had two MRIs performed on his arm, but has

never had surgery on the shoulder. “I could have got arthroscopic

surgery, but I chose not to and instead took more time off.”

The respite ended in April.

He started by throwing batting practice to cousin Garrett Larson

and his Newport Beach Little League teammates every Sunday.

Soon he was increasing the velocity and frequency, striving to get

better.

CdM Coach John Emme, who guided Larson for two seasons, including

on the 1999 CIF Southern Section Division IV championship team, said

Larson never had a problem with velocity, but needed to learn how to

control his pitches.

As a senior for the Sea Kings in 1999, Larson went 6-5 with a save

and a 4.61 ERA. He tallied 68 strikeouts in 71 innings.

“He’s always had an incredible arm, but [earlier in his career] he

didn’t spend a ton of time learning how to pitch,” Emme said. “He

wasn’t as concerned with location.”

Emme, though, noticed a change in Larson when the two spoke before

the June draft.

“He seems like he has really matured and realized the gifts he has

been given,” Emme said. “I’m delighted he’s getting a chance. He’ll

learn a lot and I’m sure he’ll take advantage of the situation like

never before.”

Larson’s professional debut came two weeks after arriving in

Princeton.

Each day has been a steady progression from playing catch to

throwing curveballs and changeups in the bullpen.

“[Coaches] want to make sure I can come back,” said Larson, who

lives in a hotel in Princeton. “When I was first out here I threw 15

[pitches] off the mound. The second time, it was 25. The third time

it was two innings and six hitters.

“I have a pitch count of 40 pitches. If I do well, they might

decide to raise it to 50.”

As a starter, Larson was used to throwing a lot of pitches.

During the time off, Larson, who played at Golden West and Cypress

colleges for one year each, lifted weights before beginning to throw

again four months ago.

He never doubted he would pitch again.

“I always knew I belonged here,” Larson said. “The injury wears on

my mind, but I never gave up.”

Larson, who has three classes remaining to earn a history degree

at Northridge -- which he intends to complete -- wants to land a spot

in the Princeton starting rotation, but at this stage, will do

whatever is necessary to move closer toward the majors.

“I’ve been a starter my whole life, it’s what I’m used to,” Larson

said. “But I have no problem being a reliever or closer. Whatever

gets me to the next level.”