Oh looks like real deal to Jays pitching coach
Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker spends a lot of time talking delivery with his pitchers.
But on Friday, he was delivering the goods about his pitching staff, starting with newcomer Seung-hwan Oh, who threw off the mound against batters for the first time at spring training.
Oh faced the likes of Troy Tulowitzki and Kendrys Morales at Dunedin Stadium. He can’t pitch in a spring training game until he has his visa sorted out, which shouldn’t take much longer.
“It’s been a while since I got up to the mound and faced hitters, but it felt pretty good,” the South Korean right-hander said through interpreter Eugene Koo.
Walker expanded on that, barely containing his excitement over the prospect of having Oh — who recorded an ERA of 1.92 in 76 games for the Cardinals in 2016 and an ERA of 4.10 in 62 games last year — in his bullpen this season.
“He was excited to get out there today. He’s kind of chomping at the bit to pitch for sure,” Walker said. “The arm action looked great. Getting him off the mound for the first time here with some hitters was great to see. A lot of life on the ball and the slider looked outstanding.”
Walker was asked if the Jays figured out why Oh’s numbers went a little south last year.
“He said he wasn’t feeling his greatest at times, but he said he feels fantastic right now, which is great,” Walker said. “I think he has to utilize the edges (of the plate) a little more with that slider. I think he got hurt (last year) with that pitch. It comes down to command, feeling good, and he says he’s feeling great, so we’re anxious to get him out there and get him in a game.”