A Hartsville native is making quite a name for himself on the hill for the Lexington Legends, a Class A Minor League affiliate of the Houston Astros in Lexington, Ky.
Jordan Lyles is quietly the team's leading pitcher, and his career is progressing nicely, according to his coaches.
"I would say his season is going totally in the right direction," Lexington Legends pitching coach Travis Driskill said of Lyles on Monday. "He is head and shoulders above some kids."
Lyles is just in his second year of minor league play after being drafted in the supplemental first round of the MLB draft in 2008.
Driskill, who coached Lyles last year in Greenville, Tenn., said Lyles' progress is promising.
"He is very mature for his age," Driskill said. "He is playing against older guys, but he's able to hold his own."
Lyles' record on the season is 2-6, but Driskill said that isn't indicative of Lyles' play. "He's had games where he didn't get the run support he needed," the coach said.
Lyles is the team's leader in innings pitched and strikeouts.
Lyles has 81 strikeouts on the season compared to 12 walks in 66.1 innings pitched, including striking out 10 batters in six innings of work in Wednesday's game. His ERA is 3.26. The 81 strikeouts lead the South Atlantic League.
Driskill said Lyles' success comes from some things that just can't be taught.
"He throws a very live fastball," Driskill said. "That's not something you see a lot of."
He said Lyles first came into the league with a fastball and a change up. Now, however, Driskill said Lyles has added a curveball to his repertoire, and that pitch is working well for him. "Now he is displaying a curveball that has the makings of a good pitch for him."
Driskill also said Lyles' attitude is part of his success. "He just seems to be a confident young man," said Driskill. "He's not outwardly confident like Kobe Bryant, but you can see he's in control of the situation (when he is on the mound). I think that's really what is going to carry him, his overall maturity."
Driskill said his expectations are high after coaching Lyles. "I expect big things out of him. In my mind, and in the mind of the organization, he is doing everything he is able to do to advance to the next level."
Lyles was a two-time all state player for the Red Foxes in baseball. He was also an all state player in football and played in the 2007 Shrine Bowl.
In addition, Lyles was a preliminary McDonald's All American selection at the beginning of the 2007-08 basketball season.
Lyles in the son of Jennings and Judy Lyles of Hartsville.
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