Selfless Star Criswell Now Headlines U-M's Pitching Staff
2/11/2020 1:45:00 PM | Baseball, Features
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Jeff Criswell is now the headliner of a very talented University of Michigan pitching staff.
The hard-competing, hard-throwing right-hander was 7-1 with a 2.72 earned-run average and 116 strikeouts in 106 innings as a sophomore in 2019. Criswell was hard for hitters to square up -- allowing only one extra-base hit every six innings -- and was first team All-Big Ten Conference.
However, as great as Criswell was, Tommy Henry and Karl Kauffmann, both high MLB Draft picks and his "older brothers" in the weekend rotation, were the biggest postseason pitching stars during the Wolverines' run to the championship game of the NCAA College World Series.
And while Henry and Kauffmann signed pro contracts after Michigan lost that memorable three-game championship series to Vanderbilt, Criswell immediately moved on to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and registered the lowest batting average against (.120) on a staff featuring the nation's top pitchers. He recently became a Collegiate Baseball first team preseason All-American for 2020, and MLB.com projected him as No. 51 pick in the June amateur draft, placing him in second-round territory.
We met to speak about what he's accomplished and what's ahead -- including a Feb. 14 rematch with Vanderbilt in Scottsdale, Arizona -- in the press box at the Wilpon Complex's Ray Fisher Stadium. Michigan baseball sports information director Kyler Ludlow noted that Criswell had just received the Collegiate Baseball honor, and the first thing Criswell said was that teammates Jordan Nwogu and Willie Weiss also were on the team (as third-team selections).
He often deflects the attention he receives.
When asked which of his numerous honors means the most to him, Criswell said, "Nothing in particular. I'm just happy that Michigan baseball in general is getting more publicity. That's the biggest pride I have."
Collegiate Baseball also ranked Michigan No. 10 as the only Big Ten team in the Top 25, and Baseball America has the Wolverines at No. 8.
"That's the stuff that excites me," said Criswell. "That's why guys from all around the nation come to Michigan. They want to represent the block M and keep Michigan a top program in the country. That was our goal last year, and that remains our goal this year. Putting Michigan on the map is what I take pride in.
"Our goal this year is the same one we had last year: We want to win the national championship. Getting so close last year, it's hard for it not to be on your mind. We've got to visualize it, see it, and do everything we can to get there. We want it. But we know it's a process with ups and downs, and you just have to find a way to win.
"We have five championships to win: Big Ten championship and tournament, regional, super regional and national championship."
Making Memories
Criswell had plenty of postseason highlights last season. He saved the first game of the NCAA Super Regional at UCLA and had a strong start (one earned run in 5.1 innings) the next night. He started and pitched well against Illinois in the Big Ten tourney game Michigan had to win to advance to the national tournament, and he beat Cincinnati in the West Regional before getting a pair of saves against Texas Tech in the CWS.
Still, none of those was his favorite memory of his team's exciting run.
"That's a hard question," said Criswell, pausing briefly. "There is a great memory in every game when you get that far. But watching Tommy throw a complete-game shutout (2-0) against Florida State (in the CWS), that was special.
"I was possibly going to go in (with a save opportunity), and watching that was pretty extraordinary. That was history, a sight to see, and I was in the bullpen, warming up. I had to stay locked in and not just sit there and watch those three-pitch strikeouts and Tommy working out of some little jams. It was tough because I was trying to keep myself ready. It's a great memory as many times as I've watched it (on tape)."
Criswell earns the save in Game 1 against UCLA
Criswell fans four to pick up a save against Texas Tech
His save against the No. 1-ranked Bruins ranked second.
"I was as nervous as I'd ever been," said Criswell, "and maybe not nervous, but maybe more excited: 'This is going to happen; I'm going to do this.' Then, the dogpile (after winning Game 3 at UCLA to go to Omaha) and getting the hats and that picture. That was a close runner-up, too. The save in that (super regional title) game couldn't have gone to a better man, Benjamin Keizer, a true 'Michigan Man' and one of the captains who had gone through so many injuries and hardships."
Keizer and Henry played for Portage (Michigan) Northern High, while Criswell pitched for rival Portage Central before they all became Wolverines.
"The biggest thing I've learned at Michigan is not to focus on myself," said Criswell. "I want to win the national championship, and that's a goal of mine. Statistically, I don't get too much into that. I'm not trying to reach a certain number of something. I want the team to have success, whether it's me being successful or the next guy. I just want to win.
"Whether this is my last year here or not, I want to continue to invest in my relationships with my teammates and have fun playing the game, soak up the time I have left."
Selfless Star
Criswell, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound junior, credits Wolverine head coach Erik Bakich for his selflessness.
"It's laid out to you even before you get here," said Criswell. "It's Michigan over me. You're truly playing for the block M, and you're not here for yourself. Coach Bakich talks a lot about building a culture. Everyone in this program is very selfless as a result. They're not only looking at pure talent but what kind of person you are. Ultimately, we represent Michigan throughout the community as well.
"The one thing Coach Bakich has that is hands-down one of his best qualities is that he'll always have his player's back, no matter what the situation. He truly invests in relationships with his players and cares about us and the things going on in our lives. He's definitely a role model for all 35 of us."
Bakich said: "It goes back to the guys Jeff learned from – Karl Kauffmann and Tommy Henry and Tommy's quote: 'It's about the eight letters across your chest.' All three are Michigan born and raised, native Michiganders, leading us to the College World Series. It meant a lot to them being from Michigan, playing for Michigan.
"And now that Jeff is taking over the spot of the Friday-night starter, he takes a lot of pride in that, and it means a lot to him to be the tone-setter for our team on Friday nights. His growth over the last three years has been as good as anyone we've seen over the last seven years on our teams.
"He's a man who holds himself to high standards, and it translated onto the field. He went from a thrower to a pitcher and is on the verge of having another great season. He got his best GPA (grade-point average) he's ever gotten at Michigan the last semester and has been a great leader in the weight room and off the field. The on-field stuff is great, but it's just a byproduct of the person he's become."
Playing for one another was at the root of the team's great success. The Wolverines wanted to continue playing as surely as they wanted to win.
"We were playing to play one more day together, no doubt," said Criswell.
Michigan catcher Joe Donovan said, "Having one of the better guys on the team embracing that attitude is such a great example for the younger guys."
He's a selfless star.
Criswell's father, Brian, drafted by the Oakland A's after a standout pitching career at Western Michigan, said of his son, "He's always been that kind of guy. He has a lot of respect and admiration for Tommy, and the friendship the three of them had was special. He's always been a good teammate and was so happy for Tommy and the success he had.
"But it's something he's learned even more about and grown with at Michigan, being so supportive of each other. I'm proud of how he's grown up there. He developed a lot as a person, and I also think he developed a lot as a player. He understands where he is, what he's doing, and that Michigan is a real special place to be. Baseball is his passion and it's important, but what's most important is being the best version of yourself as a person off the field.
"He truly appreciates what he's a part of at Michigan."
Puzzle Pieces
Coming out of high school, Criswell had three effective pitches -- including the split-finger fastball his dad taught him -- that prompted the Detroit Tigers to draft him in the 35th round. However, his off-speed pitching repertoire has undergone a complete revamp in Ann Arbor.
Jeff was introduced to analytics by Michigan pitching coach Chris Fetter, a former Wolverine star who pitched in the minors for the San Diego Padres organization and both scouted and served as minor league pitching coordinator for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"Coach Fetter looks at what pitches are going to play best off the fastballs we throw," said Criswell, who has a mid-90s mph heater. "As a freshman, I threw a fastball, split-finger and a curveball. Now, I throw a fastball, circle change and slider. The data shows those pitches play better off my fastball.
"Coach Fetter's been tremendous in my three years here. He's really advanced the program in general as far as data analytics go. He's brought the 'new school' baseball philosophy to Michigan, and having the resources here to use the technology is amazing. I'd be shocked if the major league teams have something we don't have. It's really helped me, as well as the rest of the guys.
"Plus, his door is always open to us, which is a big thing as well. He meets with guys to break down pitching and is here for us with whatever we need to be successful. He defines the individual development aspect of pitching and embraces the fact that all of us are different and need different things. He utilizes our strengths to help us grow and is just awesome. He's had a huge impact on all of us."
Criswell credits Fetter (left) for using analytics to fine-tune his arsenal of pitches
When Fetter and Bakich wanted Criswell to close a game at UCLA and then pitch exclusively out of the bullpen in the World Series, Jeff didn't hesitate in accepting that role.
"That was kind of a cool thing," said Criswell. "When you want to win, that kind of thing doesn't matter, whether you're starting or relieving. Whenever the coaches want me to go in and give us the best chance to win, I'm going to take the ball. And with the way Tommy and Karl were pitching, that was extraordinary in itself, having them go eight and nine innings and shutting people down. We all bought in, and it paid off for sure. Tommy told us we play for the eight letters on our chest, and he led us, led the whole team.
"The things that I've learned from them I could talk about for hours. Tommy and Karl are truly older brothers to me, the brothers I never had. They taught me so much about pitching -- the intricacies, the routine, the mental aspect -- and the three of us morphed together. It was an awesome dynamic, and I tried to learn as fast as I could from them because I knew they wouldn't be around this year. It'll definitely be different not having them around, but we'll be all right."
Ben Dragani, who was hurt before last season, is back and healthy. He was 6-2 with a 2.76 ERA as a freshman starter in 2018.
"That will be a huge piece to get back," said Criswell. "And we've got some good young guys, for sure. Steven Hajjar is a big (6-foot-5, 215 pounds) left-hander who got hurt last year. He should hop into a very prominent role as a redshirt freshman. He's really good. Cameron Weston is a freshman who is one of the better pitchers I've ever seen here. He's got a just disgusting forkball and is really, really good. I think he'll have a key role.
"Isaiah Paige (four innings without an earned run allowed against Vandy in the CWS) and Angelo Smith (59 strikeouts in 55 innings with a 3.11 ERA over two years) definitely both have good stuff and are developing really well. (Freshman All-American) Willie Weiss (2.97 ERA, nine saves and 50 strikeouts in 39.1 innings) is another huge returning piece with the potential to start or relieve.
"It'll definitely be competitive between all of us. Nobody has a set role. That was a key aspect to our staff last year. As close as me, Tommy and Karl were, we all competed with each other and wanted to out-do each other. We'll have that same dynamic this year."
Donovan said of Criswell's drive: "In a game, he's a really big competitor. He gets pretty fiery. Sometimes, he'll yell -- not necessarily at anybody but like when he's coming off the mound after striking somebody out in a big way. He doesn't talk as much on the bench like Tommy or Karl did, and is more stoic there, closed off in the dugout getting focused for the next inning.
"But it's a lot of fun catching him because you know he's going to give it what he's got on that particular day. And, more days than not, he's got enough to win the game."
Criswell also will draw on last summer's USA Baseball experience. He had a 2.35 ERA in 7.2 innings for USA Baseball, allowing three hits and striking out four.
"It was an awesome opportunity for me," he said. "I've first got to thank my teammates and coaches. Without their help and support, I probably wouldn't have been in that position.
"I got to travel the world with some of the top players in the country with a lot of different cultural experiences in Taiwan and Japan. We also had a home series in North Carolina against Cuba that was amazing, with a night game on the Fourth of July in the Durham Bulls' stadium with 10,000 people. It was the definition of what you dream about as a kid."
Criswell pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit with three strikeouts, in that July 4 game.
"It was kind of surreal -- an amazing experience I'll never forget," he said. "And Coach Bakich and Coach Fetter advocated for me being on the team, for which I'm also very grateful. It was definitely cool playing with the top players in the country and picking each other's brains, trying to learn things."
Beautiful Bond
Criswell has had a great baseball coach his entire life. His father, who was 7-5 with a 2.91 ERA in 1987 for Double-A Huntsville (Alabama) in the Oakland A's farm system, has always been there for him.
Brian was drafted in the 17th round in 1984 and played on minor league teams with two future All-Stars -- catcher Terry Steinbach and shortstop Walt Weiss. Both were members of Oakland's three consecutive World Series teams, winning it all in the middle year in 1989. Bash Brothers Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco headlined those teams.
"I was in the same draft class as Mark McGwire," said Brian. "There was just 16 rounds between us (laughter). We didn't play together on the same team. I came up to Huntsville when he went up (to Triple-A Tacoma in 1986)."
Jeff Criswell (right) with his father, Brian, in Omaha
The father had so much to pass on to his son.
"He was teaching me everything," said Jeff. "I always wanted to be like him and started throwing the splitter he threw. He is a huge part of my baseball career, getting me to college and then handing me off, which is hard. But he's still there for me to talk baseball and pitching."
His father said, "There was no problem handing him off to Michigan. I coached him until he was 14 and then he started playing on some other teams. I just wanted to introduce him to the game and give him a healthy respect for his team and opponents, playing the game the right way. You know, I was a little sour on it when my career ended. But Jeff kind of reintroduced me to it, me and my love for the game that was missing.
"I just wanted to see what his appetite was for the game, and just liked hanging out with him. Yeah, we got into the technical stuff. But it was more about being with him, seeing what we could get out of his talents, and developing his appetite. And he does have a strong appetite for the game. He grew into that, and his mom (Patti) did a great job with that, too. He's really become a student of the game and has taken to Fetter and all the resources at Michigan."
His father was a left-hander, but the son is a righty.
"My mom, my dad and my sister are all left-handed," said Jeff, whose older sister, Natalie, placed as high as third in Mid-American Conference swimming championships in distance freestyle events. "But it was always pretty clear I was right-handed. I shoot a basketball and a hockey stick right-handed."
The Criswell family (from left): mother Patti, Jeff, sister Natalie and father Brian
Criswell's favorite pitcher is Justin Verlander, the 2011 American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner for the Detroit Tigers who won the 2019 Cy Young for the Houston Astros. Criswell, however, said he never "came close" to signing with his favorite team.
"I grew up wanting to go to Michigan," said Criswell, "and when I got the opportunity, I was ecstatic and very blessed. Knowing Coach Bakich and the kind of guy he was, I wanted to play for him. And I wanted to come here for the education, which is important to me and my family. It's the greatest university in the world, and there was no reason for me not to come here."
If he's taken in the first 80 picks of the 2020 draft as Henry (No. 74, Arizona Diamondbacks) and Kauffmann (No. 77, Colorado Rockies) were, this likely will be Criswell's final amateur season.
It starts on Valentine's Day in Scottsdale against Vanderbilt in the MLB4 Tournament before Michigan also plays Cal Poly, Arizona State and Connecticut, and it could very well be Criswell facing Commodores ace Kumar Rocker.
"We open with Vanderbilt," said Criswell, a smile slowly crossing his face. "It's exciting, and we've got a little chip on our shoulder, for sure.
"It'll be fun."
