Threw my first real bullpen of the year yesterday.
Knuckleball- Was fluttering okay, needs some work though, getting 2-3 flutters need to be getting 4-5. Still got the nasty late drop though, missing inside a lot but I guess lateral control can’t be expected from this pitch.
Fastball- More pop than last year but still not as much as I had when throwing in the winter. Some control issues, not hitting my spots down and in or away, can keep it down but not in or out at will. Probably need to work on getting some movement on that sucker but control is #1 priority right now.
Spike curve- Over the winter switched my grip from a traditional curve to a spike curve. Tighter spin than traditional curve, in the pen, had trouble keeping it down, can’t leave a pitch like that high, also had problems missing outside, break isn’t late enough.
Changeup- Not really a pitch I throw a lot but need to have in my back pocket just in case. Arm action is slower according to my catcher, sort of tipping it. Misses low a lot, need to keep consistent motion with fastball and maybe tighten grip a little to subtract velocity.
Eephus- Just something I’m toying around with, difficult to throw for strikes but feel it could be useful sometime maybe once in a game after a few heaters, not really a repertoire pitch just a once in a while thing. Coming along though.