Shouldering the Load: Stronach Bounces Back From An
Early Injury
By Dan Darcy, Special To Telegram & Gazette
August 8, 2009
After struggling with a shoulder injury early this season,
former Worcester State standout Tim Stronach's
professional baseball career is back on track.
During spring training, Stronach encountered an unwanted obstacle
— rotator cuff tendinitis. He began the season in extended
spring training and had to wait until mid-July to make his first
appearance for the St. Lucie Mets, the New York Mets' Class A
affiliate.
Stronach struggled through some bullpen outings before making his
first start June 28, allowing three runs on eight hits in just
3-2/3 innings.
On July 15, however, the 23-year-old Stronach had his breakout
game, one that he easily considers his best performance in the
minor leagues. He pitched six perfect innings and carried a
no-hitter into the ninth, earning the win in a 10-0 victory.
“It felt great to work back from that shoulder
injury,” Stronach said. “I really felt great that
day.”
Stronach even retired former Angels standout Troy
Glaus three times in the win. Glaus was on a rehab
assignment with the Palm Beach Cardinals, recovering from a
shoulder injury.
In 2005, Stronach turned in a stellar sophomore season at
Worcester State, going 6-0 with a 2.45 ERA and a .209 opponent
batting average. He led the Lancers to their first victory in an
NCAA tournament game, pitching all nine innings and allowing just
six hits while striking out eight in a 4-1 win over Suffolk.
His junior year was nowhere near as spectacular. He went just 3-7
with a 3.72 ERA, though he did record 71 strikeouts. Stronach, a
native of Haverhill, was selected in the ensuing 2006 draft by the
Mets in the 22nd round. He is the first Lancer to be drafted since
the 1960s.
“It was something I never expected,” Stronach said.
“Coach (Dirk) Baker put together a great
program at Worcester State and I'm very thankful for that. It was a
great feeling.”
After the draft, Stronach was sent to Kingsport of the Appalachian
League (Rookie), where he went 4-2 with a 3.76 ERA. In 2007, he
started his first full season in Class A, but went 2-7 with a 5.45
ERA and was sent down at the All-Star break.
Last season, he went a combined 5-7 with stints at Savannah,
Brooklyn and St. Lucie.
Stronach noted some differences between college and minor league
ball.
“In college, you're there as a team,” he said.
“Here, you're there as a team, but it's also individual.
We're all trying to be the first one moved up.”
The talent level is also much better.
“Hitters here are like the third hitter in a college
lineup,” he said. “Guys aren't going up there just
hacking, they're disciplined.”
Stronach throws a fastball, slider and changeup, and is working on
building up his confidence.
“I've been told I have pretty good stuff,” Stronach
said. “But you can't move up if you don't have that mental
aspect to go along with it.”
With his shoulder injury behind him, Stronach is looking to
develop more of an everyday routine that should make things easier
for him.
“In college, I just got the ball and threw,” he said.
“Now, I have to watch everything I do, from what I eat to
stretching — it's all important.
“It's a grind every day with the running, lifting and the
travel and things like that. But it's what you get in the end that
makes it worthwhile.”
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