Hyun-Jin Ryu in his sessions with Sandy Koufax has been told that setting the ball deeper in his hand will result in a more effective curveball. If made sense to him. He’s been working on the pitch. Here we are in spring training games now, and Ryu gave the pitch a shot. White Sox outfielder Dewayne Wise blistered it into the right field corner for a standup triple.
 |
| (photo buy Jake Roth/USA Today Sports) |
It was the one blemish in Ryu’s Dodger debut as he threw 12 pitches, struck out one and retired 3 of the 4 batters he faced. Ryu told the L.A. Daily News J.P. Hoornstra that “he (Koufax) was teaching me how to throw a curveball but I guess it didn’t really work today. I’ll continue practicing.”
 |
| Ryu's first pitch in a Dodger uniform (photo by Evan Bladh) |
That’s what Spring Training is all about. And it’s a good sign that Ryu is willing to experiment with it, even in game action. With all eyes on him, the Korean left hander wasn’t shy to give it a try. It was a sure sign that he “gets it.”
Other things that Dodger players should be trying in game action in an effort to improve their game:
Dee Gordon - feet first slides and bunting.
Juan Uribe, Luis Cruz - patience at the plate and working the counts deep. (Note: this is something that each player has done in the first two games of action with somne success).
Andre Ethier - improving his approach against left handed pitching and being able to take them to the opposite field.
Chris Capuano / Ted Lilly /Aaron Harang - pitching on consecutive days out of the bullpen and developing a “one inning” mentality as relief pitchers.
*******************************************************
Today’s action at CBR begins at 1:05 pm against the Chicago Cubs. The Spring Training grind continues on with a lot of minor leaguers continuing to show their stuff.
My annual sojourn to CBR ends today, as I return back to the grind at home.
No comments:
Post a Comment