Pitching coach Calvi finalist for FIU post

USC Notes

COLUMBIA — South Carolina pitching coach Mark Calvi is considered a strong candidate to become Florida International's new head baseball coach, two sources confirmed Wednesday.

Calvi, who just completed his third season with the Gamecocks, has interviewed for the position and a decision is expected in the next few days.

This past season, his USC staff finished, despite a slew of adversity, with a respectable 3.93 ERA.

The Gamecocks fell a win shy of the College World Series for the second consecutive year. North Carolina beat USC on Sunday night in the final game of their super regional series in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Calvi, 38, went to high school and college in South Florida and was an assistant on FIU's staff from 1994-2004.

At FIU, Calvi's 1995 (2.40) and 1999 (3.07) pitching staffs led the nation in ERA. They were in the top 10 five times during his tenure.

The Golden Panthers made seven NCAA appearances while he was at the Miami-based school.

University of Miami pitching coach J.D. Arteaga is also thought to be a serious candidate for the FIU job.

Where there's Smoak

Scouting pundits are already talking about the merits of first baseman Justin Smoak in the 2008 draft.

Keith Law of Scouts Inc. has ranked the switch-hitting Goose Creek native as the third-best overall prospect of next year's class.

Smoak was USC's best all-around hitter this past season, batting .315 with team highs in homers (22) and RBIs (72). For a power guy, it's commendable that he struck out 40 times in 260 at-bats.

Smoak plans to play for Team USA this summer.

Teammate James Darnell, perhaps USC's best pure swinger, is rated the 15th-best prospect in the 2008 draft by Law. Darnell played third base this past season, but might better be suited for left or right field in the future.

Another call

Wednesday, Toronto right-hander Lee Gronkiewicz became the third former USC player to get called to the majors this year.

Jon Coutlangus and Marcus McBeth, neither of whom were relievers in college, have both spent time in Cincinnati's bullpen this year. Coutlangus earned his third victory of the year Tuesday evening.

Gronkiewicz earned All-America honors in 2001 for the Gamecocks. He went 2-1 with 19 saves and a 1.31 ERA in 61 2/3 innings that season.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com.