GARLAND HAS LOOK OF PRO.

Byline: Eric Sondheimer Daily News Deputy Sports Editor 

It was Opening Day in major-league baseball Tuesday, and as far as Taft High School coach Rich McKeon is concerned, Kennedy pitcher Jon Garland could have been pitching at Dodger Stadium or some other big-league ballpark.

``He's a man among boys,'' McKeon said. ``He could have beaten some big-league teams and will beat some, too. Maybe we'll have a high school game Thursday.''

In a typical dominating performance, the 6-foot-5 Garland struck out 10, walked none and allowed three harmless singles as Kennedy beat host Taft 6-0 in a Northwest Valley Conference game.

``Let's go watch a millionaire pitcher,'' a Taft fan joked before the game.

But it's no joke how valuable Garland's arm has become. His exceptional pitching in the first month of the prep season has elevated him into a likely first-round choice in the June amateur draft. Even scarier is that he's already entering one of his pitching grooves in which he throws strike after strike.

``I think I'm hitting a groove,'' Garland said. ``I've been working on my mechanics a lot and it's all coming together.''

Taft's Ryan Long, a top outfielder, was impressed.

``I underestimated him,'' he said. ``I didn't know he had such a good curveball. He's the best I've seen.''

It wasn't as if Taft (9-4, 2-1) played poorly. Sophomore pitcher Justin Wade matched Garland pitch for pitch through three innings, retiring all nine Kennedy batters in order. But the Cougars (11-5, 3-0) scored five runs in the fourth, two on a home run by Adrian Perez. That's far too many runs to overcome against Garland, who's 22-2 in his three-year prep career.

McKeon didn't use his No. 1 pitcher, Jesse Chastain, hoping to save him in case Taft got a lead against Garland. Now he will have Chastain available when the Toreadors face Kennedy's No. 2 pitcher, Wesley Crown, on Thursday. Other coaches will be watching closely to see if McKeon's decision to hold out Chastain will translate into a victory.

Beating Garland in conference play will be very difficult.

``At about this time of year, he gets at it,'' Kennedy pitching coach John Bushart said. ``He looks like he's starting to get into a rhythm. Early in the year, he didn't have bad outings. But he wasn't at his best. Now he's getting into a groove.''

Kennedy could be on TV soon. Fox Sports West 2 has contacted coach Manny Alvarado about televising the team's April 17 game against Chatsworth.

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Photo

Photo: JON GARLAND: The feared Kennedy fastballer pitched a three-hitter and struck out 10 against Taft.