Kapler likes seeing pushier Eflin at work on the mound
PHILADELPHIA » Except for the facial expression, Phillies pitcher Zach Eflin looked better the second time around to manager Gabe Kapler and his coaching staff.
Kapler watched in video detail the careerhigh nine punchouts Eflin dropped on the Giants in a victory Monday.
In two starts since being recalled from Le- high Valley, Eflin has surrendered just one run in 13 innings. Now all he has to do is put an angry birds face on it.
“The Phillies and some of our pitching coaches in the organization in particular have been working on him being a little bit more aggressive and having more conviction,” Kapler said Tuesday before Game 2 of the series with the Giants. “Like, bringing some anger, some physicality.”
Eflin might want to study video of Pedro Martinez. That’s the first pitcher Kapler thinks about in that vein.
“You could tell the intensity and the conviction and the ‘I’m going to get your ass’ mentality then,” Kapler said. “And as a teammate he brought that every night he was on the mound. The nasty 96, 97 (mph fastball) and one of the best changeups of all time, that helps you be a little bit more aggressive.”
Martinez, who was all of 5-11, 170 pounds, wore that face for 18 years in the bigs, the last in 2009 with the Phillies. At age 37, he pitched against the Yankees in the World Series.
The more reserved Eflin has been impressive enough that the Phillies are taking their time rehabbing starter Jerad Eickhoff.
“You really notice the positioning on the mound,” Kapler said. “You definitely notice more four-seam fastballs. You definitely notice more carry in the zone on that four-seam fastball. You notice a little bit more aggressiveness in his posture, in his facial expression, which is something we’ve been working on for a long time with Ef. I think he attributes a lot of his success to a more aggressive demeanor on the mound and we all think that’s going to play well for him.”
In Kapler’s quirky world, Eflin has benefitted from the decision to commit to throwing on the right, or third base side of the rubber. It’s murder on righthanded batters.
“Especially with a guy that tall, that long, with that kind of extension,” Kapler said of the 6-6 Eflin. “It feels like the pitcher is right on top of you.”
*** Among other injury updates, Kapler said reliever Adam Morgan’s lower back strain has improved.
And this is just in, the injury occurred during the lefty’s “workout in the weight room.”
Eickhoff is coming back from a strained lat muscle. He’s right around the 6-8 week rehab timetable.
Eickhoff threw 2.3 “really solid” innings Tuesday, according to the reports Kapler received.
Morgan, in essence, has of him on the depth chart.
“We’ll see how he looks when he’s fully healthy and capable to contribute and see where our rotation is at that point,” Kapler said. “The cool thing about the way our rotation is going right now is we don’t have to make any decisions right now. We have plenty of time before we have to get to that. At this point we’re happy with the way things are rolling, happy with the way Eickhoff is progressing and happy with the way our guys are coming together at the Big League level right now.”
Eickhoff came to the Phillies in the eightplayer trade that delivered Cole Hamels to the Rangers in 2015.
Elsewhere on the DL-rehab front, Kapler said Mark Leiter is scheduled to throw two innings in Clearwater Wednesday.
Also, Victor Arano isn’t throwing bullpens yet but is close to returning, per Kapler.
Shortstop J.P. Crawford, out since late April with a forearm strain, hit off the tee Tuesday and, per Kapler, is “feeling really good and looking strong.”
*** The Phillies and Nick Pivetta (1-2, 4.76) oppose Chris Stratton (3-2, 3.99) and the Giants at 7:05 Wednesday . ... In the 1:05 getaway Thursday, Vince Velasquez (2-4, 5.14) opposes lefthander Ty Glach (3-3, 3.60). two guys ahead