On how he’s improved as a pitcher since last season: “It’s mostly just being more consistent with my pitches and maturing a bit…growing up as a man. It’s not that I didn’t know how to pitch before, but with more innings under my belt I’m repeating my routines better. My command has been better, and my mechanics feel great right now.”
On what he’s currently throwing: “Nothing has changed there. It’s just the usual 2-seamer -- which is probably my best pitch -- 4-seamer, change and curve. I’m getting ahead of hitters pretty well, and keeping them off balance with my off-speed stuff. I couldn’t tell you the velocity of my fastball, because I never pay any attention to that. Down the road I could see myself maybe adding a slider, but I don’t see a need for it now. This is the most comfortable I’ve ever felt as a pitcher.”
On working with experienced catchers like Corky Miller and Ken Huckaby: “I’m learning a lot from them. This is my first time in Triple-A, and at this level it’s more about setting guys up than attacking them, because hitters here don’t miss mistakes very often. Corky and Huckaby have caught big league guys, so they have a little more knowledge…a better feel for the game. They’re both great catchers, so when they call a pitch, I’m confident throwing it.”
On controlling his emotions in his first Triple-A start: “It wasn’t really all that different. You’re always going to have adrenaline, and you just have to factor that in -- you have to put it into your game plan. If you’re in a position where you know you need to relax more, that’s what you do. It’s part of the preparation you put into each start.”
On what he did in the off-season: “Not very much, to be honest. I mostly did a lot of fishing. When I go back home, it’s all about relaxing and spending time with the family. Nothing very exciting, but that’s just me.”