Out of nowhere

Mike Sciacca

There are many members of the Ocean View High baseball program who

played key roles this year in helping lead the school to its first

league championship since 1991.

One of those success stories is senior pitcher Grant Theophilus

who, if you listen to Seahawk head coach Steve Barrett talk, has come

“out of nowhere” to turn in a spectacular transformation.

“Last year he didn’t even see the field,” Barrett said of

Theophilus’ limited playing time. “To know where he’s come from to

where he is now is an impressive transformation.”

Where the 6-foot-4 Theophilus came from is just down the street.

He transferred to Ocean View from Marina at the start of his

junior year. He was trying to find his way in a new system but found

himself somewhat lost in the shuffle, Barrett said.

“He comes over here to Ocean View and sits around, getting very

little pitching work come game time,” Barrett recalled. “He wasn’t on

last year. He had difficulty throwing strikes and he couldn’t hold a

runner. Now, to watch him pitch, you’d never guess he was struggling

just a year ago.”

As Ocean View prepares for its first-round CIF-Southern Section

playoff game Friday, Theophilus has emerged from obscurity to No. 2

on the Seahawks’ pitching depth chart, behind No. 1 Phillip Hann, a

returning all-Golden West League pitcher.

Theophilus currently is 7-2 overall with a 1.30 ERA.

“Last year definitely was a learning experience,” Theophilus said.

“I was at a new school looking to fit in both academically and in the

baseball program. I didn’t see much playing time, but it’s a lot

different this season.”

Theophilus said he can’t attribute his transformation to any one

thing but says a turning point came last summer.

“Everything just seemed to click for me during summer ball,” he

said. “My confidence level improved a lot.”

Playing scout ball also helped out.

Theophilus played scout ball with the Devil Rays, a team based out

of San Clemente.

Barrett noticed his pitcher’s confidence soar.

“He can do everything on the mound now,” Barrett said. “We didn’t

think he’d start for us this year but during winter ball, that’s when

we took notice of him.”

In compiling a 7-2 record this year, Theophilus said he tasted

both his personal high and low within a one-week span of the season.

The high came in the form of a 2-0 shutout victory of previously

unbeaten Pacifica, which had won its first 22 games of the season.

Behind his curve ball, Theophilus went the distance and struck out

eight during the May 8 contest.

Six days prior, he turned in what he called his “worst” outing.

Theophilus took the loss in a setback to Golden West League rival

Westminster.

The two teams ended up tying for the Golden West League

championship.

“That game was a downer but we have bounced back since that loss,”

he said. “We’re very focused heading into the playoffs.”

As Ocean View prepares this week for postseason play, Barrett

reflected on the season and one week-long road trip in particular

that took the team from Palm Desert to Las Vegas at mid-season.

It was during that trip that he saw Theophilus’ true colors.

“I’ve always known what a great kid and great student he is, in

addition to being the nicest guy and a player who is very coachable,”

Barrett said. “On road trips like these, you really get to know each

other and what I learned about Grant is that he is really funny and

quite the comedian.

“It’s been great to watch him grow over this past year. He’s been

a big reason behind our success this year. He’s just a late bloomer

and the saying goes, it’s better late, than never.”

* MIKE SCIACCA covers sports and features. He can be reached at

(714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.