I respectfully disagree. For one thing, I give the coach credit for knowing his player's limits. What coach in his right mind would risk ruining a kid who's going to be his meal ticket for the next two years? For another, people have short memories. The way SPs are used today in MLB obscures the relatively recent history of HOF guys like Nolan Ryan, Bob Gibson, etc. who routinely pitched 130+-pitch complete games. The human body hasn't gotten any softer in the last 30-50 years, so to see a young arm capable of throwing 130+ pitches in the final game of his college season does not appear to me to be abuse. I call it old school toughness. It's refreshing to be reminded that it's still possible in this age of specialization, namely 5-7 inning SPs, middle relievers, late inning relievers, closers, etc.. The kid will be fine.
comments from a former Longhorn who posts on my Longhorn board and who played for coach Cliff Gustafson...
Excellent observations by the former Texas player. He's correct in that it's tough to move up in the box for the change-up when the OSU kid may see you do it and whistle a 90+ fastball by you. That's the benefit of having a few good pitches in your toolbox. I could be wrong, but I'm guessing the OSU pitcher is in no hurry to start summer ball and likely will take whatever time he needs to rest his arm.
KP, No. He carried a heavy load for sure, but I don't think it was abuse. I agree with Sid's take on the events that took place. LSU built their reputation nationally by doing just that, and worse, in the CWS. I agree with the former Longhorn and I've always coached players to hit by the pitch, count and situation. No one moves in the box anymore and I just don't buy into that stuff. At the same time, the kid for Oregon State has 3 plus rated pitches. He's humming in the low 90s on that fastball so moving up in the box would just cause him to start jamming every hitter on the fists. That Uncle Charlie he was throwing was absolutely no joke and his change up was Maddux-esque. Sometimes, the other guy is just better.