Hill believes 20 seconds is too quick

Veteran starter says five seconds should be added

CLEARWATER, Fla. — As should be expected whenever the42-year-old Rich Hill takes the mound, a fiery approach accompanied his first spring training start with the Pirates on Saturday.

Facing a powerful Phillies lineup at BayCare Ballpark featuring the likes of last season’s National League home run leader, Kyle Schwarber, Hill worked his trademark various arm angles while mixing speeds, maxing out at 88 mph with his fastball and dropping his slider down as slow as 66 in the Pirates’ 4-3 loss.

When Hill was called for a pitch clock violation in the bottom half of the second, the feisty veteran briefly appeared to be upset but quickly responded with his second and final strikeout. The veteran Hill shared his opinion on the new addition tothe game.

“I’m not against a faster game — there’s no question about that. I am 100% against an outcome that is a result of a non-competitive action,” Hill said. “I think everybody should be. In my opinion, that’s guys’ careers that you’re playing with — and also the team’s win and loss column. I don’t think that can be argued.”

Hill, who hammered home multiple times that he’s in favor of a quicker tempo, proposed adding five seconds to the pitch clock. This season, Major League Baseball has implemented a 30-second timer between batters, a 15second timer after each pitch with the bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on.

“I think five seconds would make a big difference,” Hill said. “I don’t think it’s going to make a difference on the game, but I think it would make a difference. The game is still going to move quick with five extra seconds. There’s no question about that.”

At the plate

Offseason acquisition JiMan Choi provided a glimpse into why the Pirates traded for him. In his three plate appearances, he struck the ball well all three times, going 1 for 2 with a sacrifice fly, a double and two runs batted in.

Choi said through an interpreter he’s been working on gaining more balance in his stance with hitting coach Andy Haines. He, was retired

only on a lineout to center.

“I felt very good and felt very light at bat,” Choi said. “I felt great.”

Choi, who will play some first base this season in addition to designated hitter duties, showed off a little athleticism with a diving stop on a hotshot down the line.

“My body kind of reacted to it, but I got a scar on my hand now,” Choi said. “My palm hurts.”

On the mound

Left-handed reliever Jarlin Garcia’s Pirates career has not only gotten off to a rocky start, but an injured one. Signed to a one-year deal with a club option for a second after spending the past three seasons with the Giants, Garcia exited Saturday afternoon’s game due to left arm tightness.

He was being evaluated and treated by the Pirates medical staff. In his third spring training outing, García walked one and allowed four runs on as many hits in a third of an inning. Though he struggled to locate his secondary stuff, Garcia was able to find the strike zone with his fastball that hovered between 92 and 93 mph. But Alec Bohm was right on time for one of them, blasting a middle-away offering 382 feet over the wall in right field.

It’s still early, but considering Garcia has been pegged to be a top lefty option for the Pirates out of the bullpen this season, his injury status and early struggles raise some concerns.

Quotable

“I think the extra five seconds would be a hard yes. I think that would be somewhat fair,” Hill said. “I think it also should be a consensus. Like, how many people in the room? Let’s take it to a vote, right? That’s how I feel.”

Up next

The Pirates return to Bradenton on Sunday to face the Twins with JT Brubaker on the mound to start. Pittsburgh ventures north again Monday for its second night game, which Luis Ortiz will start, against the Yankees.