Charlie Goldsmith @CharlieG__
Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson says the main pitchers will be “filtered in” to the pitching schedule during the first week, but some of the new pitchers are getting the first look in Spring Training games.
Johnson: “Swing and misses don’t lie. I’d rather have a swing and miss than a ground ball.”
That’s a big part of the pitching philosophy in 2021.
Johnson put Miley and Lorenzen in different groups.
Johnson on Miley: “My main concern is keeping him healthy… I know for sure Wade can pitch.”
Johnson on Lorenzen: “He wants to start… The difference is a command thing. Can he throw the ball where he wants to more often?"
Johnson says Tejay Antone is a player who has really impressed him and made another step forward by improving his fastball.
He also cites Jeff Hoffman, Hector Perez and Cionel Pérez as “really interesting.” He also praised the jump José De León made over the offseason.
Johnson on relief pitcher Noé Ramirez, who was acquired for Raisel Iglesias: “It feels he’s been in the league for 20 years. True pro.” “He felt really good about what his fastball was doing and his breaking ball.”
His best pitch, Johnson says, is his changeup.
Johnson reiterates that the Reds aren’t looking at a six-man rotation.
"When you put a sixth guy in your rotation, it takes someone out of your bullpen. I’m not willing to do that."
Johnson says he’s heard and believes that the new baseball feels “spongier” and "softer.”
The biggest thing, he says, is pitchers getting a better feel for the new ball.