High Heels On The Field

On Eve Of Big Game, UConn's Brian Ward Reflects On 2013 Success

The June MLB Draft is not at the forefront of Brian Ward's mind. Not yet.

There's a game to be won. A championship within reach. The Huskies (31-26) need to win 1-2 on Saturday, to advance Sunday and play again.

Considered Big East underdogs, they've answered their doubters. In a stunning upset Thursday in round one of the Big East Tournament, the number-eight seed Huskies beat top-seed Louisville with a 3-2 walk-off win in the 12th inning.

Ward, a Milford Connecticut native, had excelled on an individual level, until mono sidelined him. He hasn't pitched in three weeks and won't pitch Saturday, but he did plenty to help get the Huskies where they stand today.

In March, the 6-3 junior lefty helped the team get it's fifth straight win, improving his record to 6-3. He pitched six innings of four-hit baseball, until the seventh when when allowed 2 runs on 3 hits. He also struck out five batters. It was his seventh start of the season.

Now he's staring down the biggest moment of the season with his teammates, including lauded captain Billy Ferriter and LJ Mazzilli, who've been offensive powerhouses.

June is for June.

"I'm definitely not thinking about that right now," Ward said Friday. "Us winning tomorrow, and winning the championship, is all that's on my mind."

His focus the past few weeks has been just feeling better. His health took an unexpected turn, but, he said he's feeling a lot stronger now. He was feeling that way coming into the season. He'd put maximum effort into improving his overall approach.

"My work ethic [improved]. Last year, I had arm trouble, so I couldn't work as much, and as hard as possible. Last summer and fall, I really got my mind and body prepared for the season."

The trouble (dead arm) hit him hard last year, but he still managed impressive results. He finished the season 3-5 with a 5.57 ERA, striking out forty one hitters in fifty one innings. In his Big East Championship performance, he allowed just one run in six innings of work.

He'd also just come off of time spent playing summer ball in 2011, in Cape Cod League, with the Bourne Braves. The summer league experience is famous for how it awes and humbles players, as it also challenges them.

"You're just facing a great lineup, one through nine, everyday. It's the top hitters in the country. There are no weak hitters. You're also seeing the best pitchers. You learn a lot, and gain experience facing that overall talent level."

He's decided to play again this summer, and will return with the Bourne Braves.

Ok, so, the championship is the thing right now. But the MLB Draft can't be out of his thoughts completely, right?

"It's in the back of your mind. But once you get to the field, you don't think about it."

This year's draft is rich with high school and college pitching. The first few slots are almost positively pitchers. Ward has had his obstacles, but this season, same as last, he's shown tremendous potential (this time last year, he struck out a season high seven hitters in one game). He throws a fastball-changeup combo, with his fastball in the mid to upper 80's. He also shows a breaking ball, but says he doesn't use it often.

Ultimately, his focus is even more refined, even beyond the Draft. He knows what he wants to do next year.

"I want to graduate, no matter what. Whether I sign or don't, I'm going to graduate and that's my goal."

You can follow Brian Ward on Twitter @BrianWard45

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Giants Top Prospect Joe Panik Adjusting To Double-A And Second Base

Trenton, New Jersey- Leadership is a key word when talking about Joe Panik.

And that aspect of him as a player garners quite a comparison.

"A lot of of us in the organization said he reminded us of Buster Posey," said Richmond Flying Squirrels hitting coach Ken Joyce. "In the sense that he has that same demeanor. He has that attitude in the way he goes about his business. He's professional, came from a decent family, and a good school at St. John's."

All of that is integral in helping the infielder, who is starting the season with a lot on his plate. Expectations (#4 ranked prospect in the Giants system by Baseball America) and a switch in position from shortstop to second base.

But none of that appears distracting to Panik.

"I've learned, especially with college and the [MLB] Draft, to ignore it and not pay attention," said Panik, 22. "Because a lot of the stuff they say is either too good, or some of the bad stuff is too bad. So I've learned to say, 'You know what?' Just ignore it. Concentrate on the game you've played ever since you were a little kid.

The Eastern League is always a big test for any player, as is any Double-A league. There's less errors to take advantage of. The challenges multiply. Panik is more humbled by that, than feeling over-matched

"Yeah, pitchers are a lot more consistent, that's for sure. They don't make too many mistakes. So you have to capitalize on it," Panik said.

In a game against the Trenton Thunder on April 11th, he showed impressive composure at the plate. Batting second (behind shortstop Ehire Adrianza), Panik worked hitter's counts consistently and made good contact with each plate appearance. It was in the 9th that he really turned on the lights. He took advantage of a struggling Thunder bullpen, hitting a two-out triple to right-center. His line-drive approach was good, but not enough to get the ball out of the infield. He never took a bad swing at pitches he couldn't handle.

That approach might be attributable to his mentality, as much as his natural ability.

"I'll tell you what, he's a very mature player. Very close to being polished when he came out of St. John's [1st round, 2011]," said Joyce. "I [worked] with him in the Arizona Fall League two years ago and he had just got done playing short-season. He was on a team with Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Brandon Crawford, and Wil Middlebrooks. And here's a kid who just started professional baseball, and was actually getting their attention. He hit .300 in that league just coming out of college. He's a guy that can swing the bat, uses the whole field, knows what his limits are, and has a good work ethic."

His ability to be selective was on display in that game, but Panik sees room for improvement.

"[I need to] become more consistent with pitch selection. When I try to do too much with a pitch, that's when I get into trouble. It's just patience."

The decision to move Panik from the middle of the infield to second was a period of adjustment, but one he embraced entering Spring Training.

"I played shortstop my whole life. And so playing second base was the main thing I worked on. Spring Training I was getting used to the turns. It was just about getting comfortable and taking a lot of ground balls. I definitely feel almost natural now."

In 2012, he hit .297, with 76 RBI and 58 walks in the California League. He was third in the league in hits with 159. Post-All Star break, he hit .324, and .337 with runners in scoring position.

So far this year he's hitting .235, with 4 RBI and 3 walks.

"I was pretty excited to come to the Eastern League, making the jump from High-A to Double-A. I was looking forward to it. So far I've gotten off to a good start and I've really gotten comfortable with the competition. Going forward, I'm very confident."

As a leader, he takes a performance-approach to the role. He knows who he is, even now.

"I like to be a leader through my actions on the field. I'm not one of those guys and get in someone's face. I pride myself on doing things the right way."

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Top NYC High School Pitcher Andrew Zapata Commits To Uconn And Coach Penders

New York City - Andrew Zapata won’t have to travel far to begin the college phase of his baseball career.

The Staten Island native will graduate this year from Poly Prep, and soon begin pitching for the University of Connecticut Huskies.

And while it’s a cold weather program, Zapata doesn’t think of it as much of a change from the chill of the northeast, to the chill of New England air.

“I do think about it a little. But it won’t be dramatically different. I’ll get used to it and be comfortable. I don’t think it will be a huge challenge,” he said.

His teammates and coaches at Uconn will soon find that a confident focused disposition is the Andrew Zapata way. [Note: He must be pretty excited to get there. His Twitter background already represents the Huskies. Follow him @Azapata24]

“I’ve coached him for four years and he’s always been humble, and winning is all that’s on his mind. He’s always been like that,” said Poly Prep head coach Matt Roventini.

With a four-pitch repertoire (fastball, cutter, slider, changeup), he is already highly developed.

“He can throw all four for strikes. He gets his fastball in the plus-ninety zone and has the three off-speed pitches, making him very hard to hit when he puts it all together,” Roventini said.

The learning experience of properly using one's talent on the field is ongoing. Even with all the talent and humility, he's still had to figure out who he is as a teammate, and as a pitcher. With a solid ability to lead and such impressive skills, he's still working out the approach.

“I'm always working on my changeup. I feel it could be better. This off-season, I worked on that more than any other pitch. For some reason, that's always taken me longer to locate,” Zapata said.

As for the leadership aspect, that is both a strength and a part of himself he feels he needs to polish as much as his offerings on the mound.

“When he came to the team, he had a lot of talent, but was also very humble, which you don't always see with the best players,” Roventini said. “He learned a lot from the older guys. John Franco's son was here, and other guys that were extremely talented. It was sophomore year that he really became the number one pitcher. He embraces the role of leader. He's more vocal. Now he's the one helping the younger guys.”

Zapata agrees that he's embraced the role, but he also sees room to let the game breathe and the players play. His competitive drive pushes him to push others, perhaps too much at times.

“I recently have found I needed to take a step back. I was really hard on them at first this year. I don't like to lose. But I also want their respect,” Zapata said.

Respect was key in selecting Uconn. The baseball program is led by highly respected head coach Jim Penders, whom Zapata met with before deciding. He was immediately struck by the dedication that Penders showed to the school, developing players, and more than that. Much more than what the player becomes.

“He's completely committed to the school. He said he's never going to leave, he never wants to, and that he loves the school and the team. He makes sure that he gets to know the guys he's recruiting as people, not just as players. He's a great person and wants to see us develop into better players, but, more importantly, better men.”

In the past several years players drafted out of Uconn's baseball program by major league teams include, David Fischer (Nationals), Greg Nappo (Marlins), Kevin Vance (White Sox), and Anthony Giansanti (Cubs).

Penders will inherit a pitcher that Roventini said is already highly developed. His willingness to learn, and what he's learned so far, make him valuable. But so too does his unwavering devotion to getting better, no matter how good he already is.

“He's never sat on his talent,” Roventini said. “He's learned how to pitch, not just throw the ball harder. He's learning how. And his work habits are impeccable. He just goes out there and takes care of it. He wants to go pro, but he's never let the pressure get to him.”

Zapata is goal-oriented, not just for himself, but for the team. Ultimately, though, it's when he has the ball that he takes full accountability.

“I want to win. But when you pitch, you can almost win the game for the team. When I'm in control, I want to do my best.”

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High School Baseball: Kellen Brown Commits To Florida Atlantic

After signing in November to play for Florida Atlantic, Dunedin High School senior Kellen Brown is no closer to an academic focus. But his baseball focus is clear.

"Florida Atlantic has a solid program. Once they gave their offer, it was exciting," he said Thursday.

The shortstop, who can also play outfield and other infield positions, has been impressing since last year. And even if big name schools didn't come calling, he put up numbers that showed he's put the work in and has talent.

In his junior year for the Falcons, he made 160 plate appearances, hitting .429 with 21 RBI, 8 doubles, and scored 29 runs. He also stole 7 bases, while striking out just five times all season. That was after a sophomore season in which he hit .563. He started every game last year.

"Hopefully it's the same this year. But last year was a big jump," he said, in terms of the amount of time he played.

The Florida native will be close to home as he begins his college experience. His sister was actually a big part of why he selected FA.

"She was going around looking at campuses, and I'd go along every time. I liked that the best and being close to him was a big factor."

He'll also be joined by a former local high school coach, Dickie Hart, who is now an assistant coach for the Owls.

Brown, who hits left handed, is unclear what position he'll be playing at the moment, though he feels most natural at short. Players often struggle with one aspect of their game, but excel naturally at the other. For Brown, he's at ease at the plate. But the other half...

"I definitely need to improve defense. Not that it's awful," he said, then laughed. "Hitting has just always been more comfortable for me. Whether I'm hitting against left-handed or right-handed pitching, it never throws me off. But fielding, is just more pressure."

The June MLB Draft is not far off, and there's plenty of buzz about who will go high. The draft boards are set with favorites. Being on the small side, Brown said, he's not sure where he might be picked. And that's on his mind.

"I think about it. Size is a big thing. But I'm open to anything. If I draft high, that would be great. But either way, I'll get my education. And I'd weigh between college and playing."

You can follow Kellen Brown on Twitter @kbrowntwelve

Spotlight On... CSU Senior Catcher Drew Woodall

Continuing with more college coverage here at HHOTF, and to bring more attention to players that are draft eligible, here's Charleston Southern University's Drew Woodall on being an everyday backstop, the 'ultimate goal', and 'the little things.'

As a freshman in 2010, Woodall was put in a challenging situation, but one that gave him an opportunity to further develop his skills. By the end of the season, the former high school team MVP had played in 33 games, starting 21, and finished up hitting .224.

"I'd been catching since I was seven. But freshman year the everyday catcher got injured in the first game, in the seventh inning. The coach wasn't used to playing freshman that often, but they needed me. I ended up splitting time."

"I think [splitting time] helped a lot. I might not have had that much experience. I was able to get a better grasp of the game that I wouldn't have."

"That definitely helped me at the plate as well. Sophomore and junior year I also split time, but this year I've played everyday so far."

Junior year he played 38 games, started 26, and hit .211 with 10 RBI. This year, he's already making an impact with good contact hitting. In 17 at-bats, he's hitting .294, with 5 hits, 4 RBI, and 5 runs scored. The team has won three of their first five games.

"I'm trying to work on my hitting. Not to hit for high average, but to hit a with a guy on and score the run, or to get guys over. I want to be successful at the little things."

"Bunts are huge here. Hitting balls in gaps as well. We don't have a bunch of guys that are going to hit fifteen or sixteen home runs. But we have guys that are going to get the runs in by doing other things."

"I was told my whole life I wasn't good enough to be a Division 1 player. I came to Charleston Southern and fell in love with the place, and the fact that it was a small school. I was able to do a lot here, that I might not have been able to do at another school."

For the past few years, Woodall has played for the summer league Morehead City Marlins. In 2012, he finished his college season and went to play 31 more for the Marlins and hit .213 with 9 walks.

"That's definitely helped me a lot. Obviously, hitting with metal is much different from wood. I've been able to square the ball up better. And the competition is great. You're facing and meeting guys you would never get to in any other situation. I was able to play against guys from Stanford. So that's pretty cool."

Future aspirations....

"The ultimate is to go to the next level. That's the dream. But, I'm not the biggest guy [Ed. Note: He's 5-10, 185 lbs. according to USC and MHC information]. I've never had a really strong arm. If it doesn't happen, I would love to stay in baseball and be a coach. I want to help people the way that coaches helped me."

Follow Drew on Twitter @drew_woodall

2013 MLB Draft Spotlight: Possible 1st Round Catcher Reese McGuire, USA Player of the Year

Reese McGuire is building one solid reputation.

Earlier this week the catcher was named USA Player of the Year. McGuire, 17, received the Dick Case Award for his performance on the 18-and-under team. They won the gold medal by beating Canada in September.

The Washington native hit .400 with 11 RBI in 35 at bats, leading the team in batting average, slugging percentage, home runs, walks and runs batted in. He'll graduate this year, and will be eighteen by the time of the MLB June draft.

As the draft gets closer, anticipation is building and he admits that the big day is crossing his mind a lot.

"For sure. My goal and my dream is to be in the majors," he said Wednesday. "I hope to have a good spring and be high on the draft board."

McGuire, whose committed to the University of San Diego, hit .388 with 34 RBI, 19 walks, and struck out just 10 times last year for Kentwood High School. As impressive as his bat has been, it's his ability behind the plate that has garnered the most praise.

"I think what separates me is my natural ability and my baseball IQ. I feel like I see a lot behind the plate, that others don't."

Most draft experts expect McGuire to go first round, and with the USA Showcase performance, he's certainly adding to his value. He should be part of a draft class that is predicted to be rich in high school catching.

Despite his strength at that position, his versatility is also of note. He's able to play the outfield, as well as first and third base. But there's no question where he belongs.

"[Catching] is my favorite. It really stuck with me. I feel a lot of natural ability when I'm behind the dish. I've played a lot of positions, but have grown to have a passion and love for catching. I hope that's where my future is."

His quieter nature has also been noted and while he's tried to be more of a leader-by- example' type, he knows that communication is key.

"I'm comfortable with the leadership role. I try to motivate the team by playing hard. My leadership really comes into play with the pitchers. That trust is important, so that when we get out there, everything just flows."

The showcases are always helpful to any high school player in getting noticed. Their function is in their name. But he's humble and smart enough to know what they aren't for.

"You don't want to be too vocal at showcases, because guys will think you're just trying to be the center of attention."

His strengths have gotten stronger, and as he approaches his senior year, he knows how far he's come. The mechanical aspect is, of course, only part of the equation.

"I'm maturing and evolving as a player, especially mentally. I'm a better teammate. And you have to have the makeup at every level. That can make or break a career. I've had to learn to just stay within. To not try and prove anything. My parents have stressed that. I just need to play my game, and by doing that I can bring my teammates up to that level."

For all the increased attention, and his ambitious, sharp focus, underneath it all, there's a simple truth that motivates him.

"I have a love and desire for the game. I have passion for it. You have to have a good work ethic and love doing this."

You can follow Reese McGuire on Twitter @Reese_McGuire21

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College Baseball Spotlight: Citadel Pitcher James Reeves Jr.

LHP James Reeves is entering his sophomore year at the Citadel after a freshman season that brought mixed results. In 22 appearances for the Bulldogs, he went 6-4 with a 4.44 ERA. He struck out 34, allowed 23 walks over 52 innings and went 5-3 in games started.

He spoke Monday about his off-season focus and lessons learned.

"We were really young and struggled sometimes. We grew up a bit."

Individual Struggles: I walked a few more guys than I should have. I was getting used to the college level, as we all were. But I felt I made a lot of strides and so did the team, by the end of the season. [The team, coached by 21-year veteran Fred Jordan, finished with a 25-33 record]

Coaching Staff: They were a really calming influence, especially in those big game situations. We played South Carolina and that's a really crazy environment to go into for a freshman. They helped make sure that I didn't get hyped up. They preached fundamentals over and over, so that it was second nature when we got into those big moments.

[In Junior year of high school Reeves became a starter. He throws a four-seam fastball, 2-seam fastball, changeup and slider]

"I definitely feel good as a starter. But I'm comfortable with both. You always want to start."

Command/Change: I didn't really struggle with command. I really felt comfortable. In the off-season, I worked on improving it. I've been working to develop my changeup. My slider is my out-pitch. I've also been working on getting bigger and better, and have more stamina so I can take us into the sixth and seventh innings.

You can follow James Reeves on Twitter @James_Reeves28

Charleston Southern University's Denis Buckley Holding Focus, Redshirting In 2013

The 2013 season will be about watching and waiting for pitcher Denis Buckley.

That's not the way he envisioned his junior year at Charleston Southern University, but he'll be redshirting and rehabbing with as positive an attitude as he can maintain.

"It's disappointing," he said on Friday. "It's definitely going to be hard."

Buckley, a Virginia native, came to CSU as a two-way player; as both catcher and pitcher, he had the ability to develop in either area. But it was pitching, really, that was always where he was heading.

"It was time for me to make that decision. And it was definitely the right one. Plus, the team needed me."

Freshman year, the righty caught 16 games for the Bucaneers, with six putouts overall. 2012 was eventful on both sides of the diamond, but mostly on the mound where, he excelled. In 21 appearances, he went 2-0 with a save, and a 3.10 ERA. In twenty nine innings, he struck out 21, allowing just ten walks. He stepped to the plate as a DH in five games and hit .417.

He had a lesion removed from his shoulder (known as a 'Bennett Lesion'), but he doesn't have a lot of concern about the recovery.

"It's not a long process. I should be able to play again in three months. I'm hoping to still play in summer league. That's what I'm shooting for."

An injury to a young player can often negatively affect draft status, but severity and frequency can have bigger impact. Buckley is confident, not distracted, when he considers the future.

"I try not to think too much about that. I'm trying to stay healthy and if the opportunity to play professionally happens, I'll take it."

He said his curveball is his best pitch, but adding a fourth pitch has been important.

"My changeup developing was a huge plus. Having four pitches I can throw for strikes is a huge advantage. It really helped me be successful last year."

He's also been working on developing a slider and said that command was another big part of his highly productive results.

His goal is to play for the Martinsville Mustangs, of the Coastal Plain League, as planned this summer. Until then, he'll be watching. And waiting.

"It could be good for me. I'm trying to get myself mentally prepared to watch. I'll go through rehabbing, hopefully get stronger and maybe gain some velocity."

Pitchers And Catchers Preview: Phillies Catcher Logan Moore

It isn't just baseball that runs in Logan Moore's family. It's the Phillies.

The catcher was drafted in the 9th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the same team his father, Brad, a pitcher, played for in 1988 and 1990. From 1986-1994, he played in the Phillies system for Clearwater, Reading and Scranton/SWB. He also played some in the Reds and Mets organization.

While Moore acknowledges that the overall goal is to be in the big leagues, regardless of team, he also has strong feelings about playing for the Phillies.

But the playing history is only part of it. Moore was also born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

"I actually was [a Phillies fan]. Always was," he said from Florida, just hours after arriving. "I always had my dad's hats and jerseys that were around the house. It's weird how it worked out. It would be more emotional if I make it to the big leagues with them. It would be that much sweeter."

Moore's arrival in Florida marks the start of the 2013 season that could see him jumping another level. He played last year in Short-Season Class-A New York Penn League for the Williamsport Crosscutters, getting in 38 games and hitting .277 on the season.

In high school he played third base. It was then that he realized he wanted to play professionally.

"That's when I started to get more serious."

2013 will mark the third season that the twenty-two year old has been a catcher. But in that time, he's grown in confidence behind the plate.

"My defense is my strength. But I think I excelled in every [area]. I got better at situational hitting as the season went on, and improved in the second half," he said.

After being drafted out of Northeastern Junior College (Colorado), he made his professional debut in 2011 in the Gulf Coast League. He got 16 hits, and knocked in 9 runs in thirty games.

He split time in 2012 between Class-A Lakewood and Short-Season Williamsport. He played in a career high sixty-five games, with a combined .233 average, 50 hits, 30 walks, and 22 RBI. In July he hit .333 in 14 games, staying consistent into August when he hit .250 in 16 games. Consistency is the key word he came back to when reflecting on that experience, as well as looking forward to this season.

"I figured some stuff out mentally. The improvement in my hitting was my biggest achievement. I figured out my swing a little bit more, how to hit better in any situation...just overall, I got a lot better."

While he doesn't work with his dad in the off-season, there's familiarity there. They share the game in the way many fathers and children do, but added to that is the shared professional relationship to it.

"We just talk baseball. He will throw a batting practice, though."

When Moore thinks of baseball and the Phillies, he thinks of Pete Rose.

"Just the way he gave one hundred percent. I loved that about him."

His own aggressiveness and drive kept him going through the grueling grind, and learning how to handle the daily push. The physical wasn't even the toughest part.

"You get more mentally tired. You're just absolutely drained thinking about baseball everyday. You want to go into the following season stronger. Because I'm still learning catching, I can only go up. Hitting-wise I just want to be more consistent."

He also values his relationships with the pitching staff. It's a delicate bond, with trust and respect deeply important to success.

"I try to become friends with all my pitchers. We had a great bullpen [in Williamsport] and I was close with a couple of the starters. I think being friends off the field carries over into the game. That can only help [communication.]"

Follow Logan Moore @LoMo_10

2013 MLB Draft Preview: New Jersey Native, UNC Commit Rob Kaminsky Pitching His Way To Being Possible High Rounder

Pitcher Rob Kaminsky has created enormous buzz in New Jersey the last two seasons.

The St. Joseph's high school senior has shown to have a mixed bag of skills, as a centerfielder and pitcher, but, finally, as he approaches his senior year at St. Joseph's (Montvale, New Jersey), he will be on the mound every 5th day. He felt strongly enough about still playing the outfield, that he chose to sign a letter of commitment to the University of North Carolina.

But as his big league dream moves forward, he'll be pitching. And he's already proven a lot when taking the ball.

The Star-Ledger named the lefty 2012 Player of the Year after a brilliant run, in which he went 8-2 and threw three no-hitters for the Green Knights. He also struck out 103 batters, and in 53 innings, allowed just 12 hits. When decision time came, he ruled out Louisiana State and Florida State, before settling on UNC. That was after fielding offers from over a dozen colleges.

He's been developing into a more solid pitcher since junior year, and learning how to use what Jeff McKay was quoted as saying in Baseball Digest, as “power arm potential”.

Scouts reportedly clocked his fastball at 93 mph, even hitting 96 at one point on several radar guns.

He's armed with possibilities, in what could be a MLB Draft full of high-upside pitching.

The native of Englewood Cliffs had this to say about his breakout year as a pitcher and what the future might hold....

On the 2012 season: "Everything clicked. I was able to make pitched on both sides of the plate. I got the fastball to jump up."

P/OF: "I always threw hard. But in the past I was a centerfielder that happened to pitch."

Strongpoint: "I got stronger and quicker. My command was good. I located my fastball inside. All of that made a difference."

On MLB possibilities: "It's my dream. But I've committed to UNC and we'll see what happens in June."

On being a pitcher, not a position player: "I think pressure is good in a way. But if I pitch for the Yankees or St. Joseph's, I'm going to play the same."

Strategy: "I know what hitters are thinking. I want to mess with them a little bit. Because of my experience hitting, I it helps me know what they're going to do."

Approach: "I'm more of an attack pitcher. I try to get you out on one or two pitches. I'll thrown any pitch in any count."

The key: "No matter what you're doing, you just want to be confident. That's the most important thing for a pitcher."

You can follow Rob on Twitter @Kaminsky21.