[外電] Pitcher Liz improves mechanics, control
From:http://tinyurl.com/368xdp
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitcher Liz improves mechanics, control
Scott catches bug; Torre praises Trembley
By Jeff Zrebiec and Roch Kubatko | Sun reporters
March 11, 2008
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - His front shoulder no longer is flying open toward
first base. His delivery is shorter and his windup more fluid. Through the
first 3 1/2 weeks of spring training, Orioles right-hander Radhames Liz has
looked like a different pitcher from the one who last year posted a 6.93 ERA
in nine games.
"His mechanics are much better," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "We
noticed it when he came into spring training. He's throwing more strikes.
He's throwing more strikes with his breaking pitch, and he didn't do that
when we had him last year."
Despite pitching four scoreless innings so far, the Orioles' top pitching
prospect in Baseball America's rankings is likely headed to Triple-A Norfolk
to join the Tides' rotation. But Trembley said the organization hasn't ruled
out Liz as a reliever.
"I think there's some thought that perhaps down the road he could go either
way," Trembley said.
Said Liz: "I'll go wherever they want me. Relieve, start, I don't care."
Liz reminds bullpen coach Alan Dunn of one of his former pupils, Chicago Cubs
right-hander Carlos Marmol, who made the transformation from starter and was
one of the most dominant relievers in the league last year.
"Both of them have that type of power arm," Dunn said. "It's very aggressive
and power-type stuff. Those are the kinds of things that jump out at me when
you see both of them throw - their tempo and the way they attack the hitters."
Liz worked hard on his mechanics in the Dominican Winter League and said he's
pleased with the results.
"It's not a big change," he said. "I know what I was doing wrong. I'm doing
it the way I want now."
Bug bites again
Luke Scott left camp in the morning after complaining of flulike symptoms and
was examined by a local doctor. "I guess it was my turn," he said.
The list of Orioles who have been bitten by the bug, to varying degrees,
includes Jay Payton, Chris Roberson, Tike Redman, hitting coach Terry
Crowley, first base coach John Shelby and instructor Scott McGregor.
"It's actually gotten better than it was. It just seems to be a different
guy," Trembley said.
Endorsement from Torre
New Dodgers manager Joe Torre said yesterday that he could see a difference
in the Orioles under Trembley last year. "I think Dave got their attention,"
Torre said. "It is tough to take over a new team. It's tough to change
everything while the season is going on. They seemed to play a more upbeat
kind of game."
Trembley is entering his first full season as a major league manager, but
Torre said experience - or a lack of it - would not be an issue. "He's
probably more adept at instructing young players, which you're doing more and
more at this level," Torre said.
Around the horn
Scott Moore, who missed another game because of a lower abdominal strain, did
some treadmill work and hopes to play later this week. "We're going to
increase his activities," Trembley said. ... George Sherrill threw two
innings for the first time. ... Brian Roberts stole two more bases, giving
him seven this spring.
jeff.zrebiec@baltsun.com roch.kubatko@baltsun.com
Sun columnist Peter Schmuck contributed to this article.
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 61.230.20.15
Orioles 近期熱門文章
PTT體育區 即時熱門文章
