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Aeros right-hander relies on off-speed pitches, less walks
By Jonas Fortune
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Apr 30, 2009
Despite what some might believe, pitching has never been about how hard you throw. It's about where you throw it and how you throw it. Tomlin already seems to have that part down pat.
In 3381/3 career minor-league innings, Tomlin has walked just 67 batters. He has struck out 304 by using precise control with his fastball on both sides of the plate and keeping hitters off balance with his off-speed pitches.
''Strikeouts just come and go,'' Tomlin said. ''I just try not to walk anybody.''
Going into Wednesday night's start against the Harrisburg Senators, Tomlin had allowed just one walk in 16 innings in his first season at the Double-A level. He had struck out 16 and was 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA.
Wednesday's start was a step backward. He gave up five runs on 12 hits in 41/3 innings. He walked three, struck out three and his ERA went up to 4.87.
Tomlin's maturity on the mound is already beyond his years. Tomlin, 24, a native of Whitehouse, Texas, is a converted shortstop, who did not become a fulltime pitcher until the Indians drafted him in the 19th round of the 2006 draft.
''I really didn't pitch much in high school, so when I got in there I was just trying to throw as hard as I could down the middle of the plate,'' Tomlin said.
When Tomlin got to Angelina Community College in Lufkin, Texas, coach Jeff Livin taught him the importance of throwing strikes and limiting walks. The lessons have obviously stuck.
Tomlin controls his four-seam fastball on both sides of the plate, and that command is essential to his success, Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh said.
''I'm not going to overpower anybody,'' Tomlin said. ''So I just go out there and try to command both sides of the plate and throw my off-speed stuff for strikes.''
During a 9-5 win over the Altoona Curve last week, Tomlin struggled with his control throughout the first inning before settling down to strike out eight through five innings.
His fastball ranged from 86-89 mph, but looked much faster after his curveball glided past hitters with speeds ranging from 73 to 75 mph.
''[With] that much of a difference in velocity, sometimes its hard to make an adjustment as a hitter,'' Sarbaugh said. ''He does a good job of keeping them off balance.''
Tomlin isn't a pitcher who is scared of contact, either. Perhaps it is his background as a shortstop, but he actually prefers the ball to be put in play.
''I've never been the kind guy who tries to veer away from contact,'' Tomlin said. ''I try to induce contact pretty early.''
It all adds up to success for Tomlin, whom Baseball America ranks as the 28th best prospect in the Indians' organization. They project him as a fourth or fifth starter at the big-league level.
''He's just a good pitcher,'' Sarbaugh said. ''He just knows how to pitch.''
Jonas Fortune can be reached at jfortune@thebeaconjournal.com.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Canton, OH
Posted 05:17 PM, 04/30/2009
Props to Josh. . .
