DANNY DUFFY’s biggest thrill this summer was pitching head-to-head against major leaguer Kerry Wood of the Cubs.
So said the June Cabrillo graduate, and Kansas City Royals’ third round draft pick, on Lompoc Locker Room, the TV Show airing beginning today on Comcast Channel 25. Days and times are available on the left of your screen.
“His stuff is just filthy,” Duffy exclaimed, before adding that Wood’s young opponent did not give up any runs either.
It took about a week for the Lompoc lefthander to come down from the clouds and begin to feel as if he belonged in the professional ranks in the Arizona Rookie League, he said.
“That was the joke back at the hotel. ‘We have to act like professionals now,’ we kept telling ourselves.” Virtually everybody else was a rookie too, so for all it was a new experience.
So said the June Cabrillo graduate, and Kansas City Royals’ third round draft pick, on Lompoc Locker Room, the TV Show airing beginning today on Comcast Channel 25. Days and times are available on the left of your screen.
“His stuff is just filthy,” Duffy exclaimed, before adding that Wood’s young opponent did not give up any runs either.
It took about a week for the Lompoc lefthander to come down from the clouds and begin to feel as if he belonged in the professional ranks in the Arizona Rookie League, he said.
“That was the joke back at the hotel. ‘We have to act like professionals now,’ we kept telling ourselves.” Virtually everybody else was a rookie too, so for all it was a new experience.
Duffy pitched 37 innings giving up just 24 hits and six earned runs. His earned run average was a blue-chip 1.45. His strikeouts totalled 63 contrasted to just 17 bases on balls. His strikeout total ranked No. 6 in the Arizona League, even though many pitchers including all five with higher strikeout totals, pitched many more innings.
Duffy said the biggest difference between the Los Padres League and the Arizona League was that he could no longer simply throw his fastball past hitters. No matter that it is now clocking at 97 mph. “If you throw a fastball up they’re going to hit it. If I can hit my spot down and away I’m OK.”
Royals coaches wanted Duffy to work on his pitching mechanics, especially taking a consistently shorter stride and “stay on top of the ball” with his fastball. On his curve he was encouraged to use the same arm angle, over the top. He was limited to three pitches—fastball, curve, and change up—which meant he had to discard his slider and two-seam fastball.
Without the slider, which had been his out pitch in high school, the change up became his strike three choice.
Duffy said the biggest difference between the Los Padres League and the Arizona League was that he could no longer simply throw his fastball past hitters. No matter that it is now clocking at 97 mph. “If you throw a fastball up they’re going to hit it. If I can hit my spot down and away I’m OK.”
Royals coaches wanted Duffy to work on his pitching mechanics, especially taking a consistently shorter stride and “stay on top of the ball” with his fastball. On his curve he was encouraged to use the same arm angle, over the top. He was limited to three pitches—fastball, curve, and change up—which meant he had to discard his slider and two-seam fastball.
Without the slider, which had been his out pitch in high school, the change up became his strike three choice.
“I try to throw it with fastball arm speed. My pitching coach at Cabrillo, coach Denny, really got me going on that. That’s part of the reason I’m where I’m at today because I developed that pitch so well.”
More consistent mechanics gave him more control, he said. His base on ball totals declined as the summer progressed. He also learned to “pitch to contact” – or not strike everybody out but to retire hitters on ground balls and flyouts. At the same time Duffy’s pitch count lengthened. He was limited to 30 pitches at the beginning, then 50, then 65-75.
Duffy’s biggest lesson of the summer?
“Don’t worry about what you can’t control.”
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FANS COME TO CHURCH'S DEFENSE
Washington Nationals fans are not stupid. And they are increasingly coming to the defense of the now-benched RYAN CHURCH. Read these notes from fans to Bill Ladson of MLB.com--
"Ryan Church hits right-handed pitching better than Austin Kearns, Wily Mo Pena and Nook Logan. I can't understand why any of those guys ever start ahead of Church. -- Geoff B., Las Vegas"
LADSON--"The Nationals are benching Church because he is not hitting home runs and driving in runs. It has nothing to do with his batting average. I think the expectations have been extremely high for Church. The organization believes he can hit 30 home runs and drive in 100 runs."
"Your comment about Kearns getting a free pass from the "think tank" is right on. There are several other players who have gotten a free pass, too, this year. Their shortcomings are never mentioned and their every little accomplishment is treated as if they are headed into the Hall of Fame. Yet other players are roundly criticized for every perceived shortfall (for example, Church). Such uneven treatment of players is very troubling to me as a fan. -- Teresa E, Washington, D.C."
And a word from Mr. En Fuego -- To illustrate the point let's compare rightfielder Austin Kearns with Church.
Until August 18 when Church was benched, the two had almost the identical number of at-bats. Now Kearns has 82 more. Still......
In home runs it is Kearns 13, Church 12. Even all-star Dmitri Young has only 12.
In doubles it is Church 38, Kearns 31. Church leads the team.
In RBI -- Church 59, Kearns 58
In slugging percentage-- Church .440, Kearns .405
Their batting averages are identical-- .266
So if the Nationals want power from a corner outfielder, why was Kearns not benched for Wily Mo Pena? Unless it's that Jim Bowden falls in love with his old Cincinnati Reds. For Christmas how about the Nats hiring a real General Manager!!!!!!!
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