Orange County Register: Angels' Richards aims to reduce walks

[AngelsWin.com]

TEMPE, Ariz. – Three games and 11 2/3 innings into his spring training, Garrett Richards has not walked a batter.It’s not much of a sample size to draw many conclusions, but it’s nonetheless encouraging for a pitcher who has made a conscious...

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[Chuck]

I'd rather him get him attacking the zone than nibbling.

[SoWhat]

"Richards, who will be 26 in May, isn't an unknown, either. He pitched well in the second half of last season for the Angels, after getting a regular spot in the rotation. Richards' fastball has been up to 99 mph this spring, Dipoto said, while averaging about 96."

 

This was from an article that was posted yesterday that I found pretty interesting. I've never seen Richards hit 99, even when coming out of the bullpen

Edited March 14, 2014 by SoWhat

[Brent Maguire]

Dipoto was sitting with the scouts all weekend long so he's definitely not overstating how hard he's throwing.

That's incredible if he's hitting 99.

[Inside Pitch]

Dipoto was sitting with the scouts all weekend long so he's definitely not overstating how hard he's throwing.

That's incredible if he's hitting 99.

 

 

The fact that he hits 99 is less incredible to me than the reality he actually works at 95 MPH...   Looking at FGs -- the recorded average velocity of BOTH his FBs is 94.8 and the average velocity of his cutter is 94.5...

[Chuck]

Getting incredible reports on Richards, Skaggs and Santiago velocity this spring.

 

Very good to see!

[Brent Maguire]

The fact that he hits 99 is less incredible to me than the reality he actually works at 95 MPH... Looking at FGs -- the recorded average velocity of BOTH his FBs is 94.8 and the average velocity of his cutter is 94.5...

Yeah you don't see many pitchers sit at 95 let alone peak at 95.

That's what gives me hope with Richards. He throws so damn hard for a starter that he should have some level of success as a starter.

[Second Base]

I like that he's limiting the walks but Richards should not be pitching to contact with an arsenal like that. Change speeds and locate definitely, but when you have 4 plus pitches you use them.

[Angel Oracle]

I definitely prefer this Richards. Because he isn't a HR pitcher, he can throw more strikes and still not be hurt a lot.

I'm sure that he will try to hit the corners a little more often during the season, and won't be allowing 7 hits in 4.2 inning normally. But he did pitch solidly yesterday in spite of that.

I still see him being on a similar trajectory to Justin Masterson.

Edited March 14, 2014 by Angel Oracle