'Confidence is definitely up' for Eskew after having best outing all year
It was the top of the fourth inning on Saturday, and Dylan Eskew had just served up a leadoff double to Arkansas’ Nolan Souza. Up to this point, facing lineups for a second time through had been a struggle for the right-hander.
But already down 3-1 in the game, Eskew didn’t let the situation unravel like it had before. He got a groundout for the first out, which moved the runner up to third. Then he struck out the next batter. Two down. Facing the eight-hole hitter in the Razorbacks lineup, he needed to get this final out right here, right now.
And he would as he got a pop up in the infield to get in and out of trouble. This was different from the norm. Eskew didn’t seem fazed by anything. Instead, he pitched 5.2 innings, his longest outing of the year, in a 9-6 loss to Arkansas. While it marked a series loss for South Carolina, it proved to be a turning point for Eskew, who needed a performance like that for his own sake.
“Definitely best stuff I’ve had thus far this year,” he said. “I was able to go longer than usual. But just throwing all three pitches for strikes and having them when I needed them. Change-up was the best it’s been all year, so that helped a lot with their lefties.”
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Before Saturday, Eskew hadn’t been able to make it into the sixth inning of a start all season long. But his pitch mix and command were as sharp as ever as he only allowed one earned run on four hits.
For the most part, this season hasn’t exactly gone according to plan for the junior. He opened the year as South Carolina’s Saturday starter in the weekend rotation. But after some tough starts, he found himself moving to the bullpen, where he had mainly been before this past weekend.
To some pitchers, a move from the rotation to the bullpen might feel like a demotion. But for Eskew, he didn’t view it that way at all. About a week or two prior, he had a meeting with Mark Kingston, not about his role or anything, but more so about where his head space was at with so much change.
“He just called me up to his office and he was really just checking in, making sure I was in a good state mentally,” Eskew said. It wasn’t really a demotion meeting or anything like that. Just kind of checking on me and we just had that conversation about where I was mentally and I said I’m good. And like I said, whatever I could do for the team, that’s what I’ll do.”
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Eskew knew his stuff needed to be better. So he was down to do whatever it took to get himself right while helping the team win games. Over his last five outings, including one midweek start, he’s given up just five runs while striking out 13 and walking five.
“I told (Kingston) I’ll do anything the team needs, whether that’s bullpen, starter, midweek starter, whatever it is,” Eskew said. “I’ve seen all three of those roles these past few weeks, and I still stand by that. My confidence is definitely up, but wherever they need me and however the team needs it, that’s what I’ll do.”
As for what’s next, Eskew’s status should remain solidified for the time being. Unless something changes, he should be back in the rotation for another weekend with Kentucky coming into town.
But however he’s needed, he’ll oblige and do his job.
“Definitely roll with the punches whenever your name is called, whether that’s starting or out of the bullpen. It’s whatever you can do for the team,” Eskew said. “It’s obviously a little different preparation wise, but other than that, when you hear your name called it’s same old stuff.”
