LSU pitcher Brian Tallet has been a large part to the in the Tigers recent hot streak. LSU has won 14 of their last 16 games and are 19-6 since the rare and uncharacteristic five-game losing streak in late February.
Brain Tallet has inspired the turnaround with a gutsy pitching performance at Vanderbilt in the Tigers second conference weekend series. He pitched a two-hit shutout on March 17 leading LSU to a 6-0 victory. This performance came in the mist of criticism from many different broods of LSU followers that the Tigers woes were a direct result of poor pitching. Tallet silenced his critics with that game and many other good showings since then. He has also led with his counterpart Hunter Gomez in elevating the pitching staffs production.
Tallet came to LSU from Hill Junior College in Texas. Originally from Bethany, Okla., the 67″ left-hander was a major prospect due to his great size. He was drafted in the 19th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1999. Tallet chose to return to LSU instead with the intention of sharpening up his game.
“I feature a fastball, change-up, curveball and slider,” said Tallet. “I really dont have a best pitch its the fact that Im able to throw all four that makes me a strong pitcher.”
Skip Bertman, as he is with all of his players is instrumental in making Tallet a better pitcher.
“Hes (Skip Bertman) helped me mature as a pitcher and helped me learn the mental game,” said Tallet. “Hes helped refine my physical attributes.”
Skip Bertman sees that Brian is blessed with a 67″ frame and teaching him how to fully utilize that and other tools will make him a better pitcher.
Tallets large repertoire of pitches often keeps hitters guessing and confused while trying to breakdown his strategy standing at the plate. Batters look for certain pitches depending on the count. Having so many pitch options to fool hitters with frustrates opponents.
Tallets ERA is 3.39 thus for this season. That is second best on the team. Tallet would like to improve on that ERA even more but is more concerned with doing his part in helping the Tigers win games. He is currently 6-2 as a starter. He has earned eight decisions in 10 games started.
Brian has many goals set for the team and himself this year.
“I want to win the SEC championship and be a 12 win starter in the process hopefully,” said Tallet. “Mostly I just wanta help this team get back to Omaha.”
After LSU Tallet aspires a career in professional baseball. He just hopes that with an opportunity and right situation he can flourish as a professional pitcher.
Looking back at his days at LSU, Brian remembers the bumpy road which got him here. He sat out his first year with arm surgery and was personally disappointed with his pitching last year at times. Despite this, he did pitch well last year winning big games against Mississippi St. and Auburn. In both those games he pitched over started and pitched over six innings allowing only one run in earning a victories.
“Its been an up and down road at LSU,” said Tallet. “But, overall its been a lot of fun at LSU.”