Calabasas High Has An Ace in Travis Cassidy

Travis Cassidy had an opportunity this summer to answer some of the questions about whether he was the future ace of the Calabasas High pitching staff.

Based on the Valley Invitational Baseball League season, along with the work he's done since the season ended less than three weeks ago, it's safe to assume the senior solidified his role.

"Each and every time that he's on the bump, we feel like we are going to win,'' Calabasas coach Ed Edsall said. "Travis is the leader of our pitching staff. He went out there, put in the extra time on the diamond and earned the job.''

When Cassidy was on the mound for the Coyotes this summer, he was nearly untouchable. The left-hander finished with an ERA of 1.80 and opponents hit only .130 against him.

"My goal was, and still is, to be the pitcher with the ball in his hands when my teammates need a win. Being that guy is something I take a lot of pride in,'' Cassidy said. "I feel like I can deliver in any type of situation, good or bad.''

After picking up three wins out of the bullpen as a sophomore, Cassidy began to emerge as a reliable presence for Calabasas toward the end of his junior season and started to overshadow teammates Mitch Margolis, Sean Ladendecker, Alex Rubanowitz and Dalton Saberhagen.

Cassidy started 10 games a year ago for the Coyotes and finished with three complete games, a 5-5 record and a 2.60 ERA. His stuff wasn't overpowering, but he did end up with 46 strikeouts in 64 innings.

"We knew Travis had the potential to be something special and it's been fun watching him develop over the years,'' Calabasas assistant coach Chris Sale said. "Now that he understands the game, understands what we expect out of him, things are coming together. He's a great pitcher for us, an ace.''

The Coyotes begin official practices the first week of September. Beyond that, winter ball starts in early November in preparation for the regular season in the spring. That doesn't mean Cassidy has been taking it easy.

He recently finished playing with the Agoura Dirt Bags in the Connie Mack Baseball League. And, following a seven-day layoff from throwing, he resumed building strength in his arm in an effort to be ready when the time comes to assume added responsibility in the rotation.

"This was an important summer for me because I have had some good experiences, but I wanted to take my game to the next level,'' Cassidy said. "Hard work pays off. I'm ready, both physically and mentally. The coaching staff and my teammates have confidence in me and I want to prove that I can take over.''