Lakeland, Fla. — It was the first day of live batting practice on the backfields at Joker Marchant Stadium on Tuesday — pitchers facing hitters — and as manager AJ Hinch promised, each of the three mounds being used was equipped with a pitch timer.
No time like the present to get used to the new 15-second (with no runners on) time limit between pitches.
“For the Major League guys, everything is going to feel really new and fast,” Hinch said. “Might as well start practicing that way and working our way toward mastering it before Opening Day.”
Most of the younger pitchers have already gotten accustomed to the timer. The minor leagues used a 14-second timer with nobody on base the last couple of years. And sure enough, it was a veteran pitcher Tuesday who took a couple of violations.
Eduardo Rodriguez ran the clock out at least two times, which in a game would add a ball to the count. One of the violations occurred after he seemed to shake off a sign. Pitchers and catchers were not communicating with a PitchCom Tuesday.
“In a lot of ways, I hope there’s some failure early in camp so everyone can understand what a violation is and isn’t,” Hinch said. “I don’t want spring training to feel abnormal. I want to feel like we’re in the season as much as possible.”
Also featured during the live BP sessions Tuesday were three intriguing bullpen candidates and one potential closer.
Lange making an impression
The sun was out and the temperature was already climbing over 80 degrees when Alex Lange bounded out of the clubhouse wearing his game-day turtleneck under his practice jersey. He was ready for battle.
“Alex doesn’t get on the mound without a certain amount of intensity,” Hinch said. “You can tell him to work on something, but he doesn’t really know how to ease his way into it. He’s pretty good.”
He was unhittable. Granted, pitchers are always ahead of the hitters at this stage of camp. But, Lange made quick work of a trio of left-handed hitters — Akil Baddoo, Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter — and right-hander Matt Vierling.
The pitch timer was of no concern for Lange, who typically works fast. He was asked, though, if he could envision a scenario where, if he needed more time for whatever reason, he would just take the violation. Similar to what football teams sometimes do when the play clock winds down and they don’t want to burn a timeout.
“No, count leverage is too important,” he said. “We’re not taking five-yard penalties like in football. We’re not punting here. I don’t see a reason to give up a ball and let a guy get back into the count just to get another shake.”
Another issue pitchers have to deal with will be the new limitations on how many times pitchers can step off and throw over to hold runners (two per at-bat). Whether he wins the closer role or not, Lange will be working in late-inning leverage situations where holding runners will be paramount.
“It’s something we are well aware of but I don’t think it’s that drastic,” Lange said. “It’s something we have to get used to. We’ll screw it up probably, but that’s what camp is for. Rather screw up here and get banged here and have the opportunity to learn from it.”
If the runner isn’t picked off on the third pickoff attempt or step-off, he advances. Not what you want late in a close game.
“Catchers and pitchers have to be more on the same page,” Lange said. “It’s going to take more communication and more preparation.”
Of course, Lange had the ultimate solution.
“If you don’t allow any hits or walks all year, you don’t have to worry about it,” he said.
Wingenter, Diaz — fire and ice
Right-handers Trey Wingenter and Miguel Diaz are both non-roster invitees with big-league experience, who are intriguing in different ways.
Wingenter, as he showed in his live-BP innings Tuesday, is flat-out imposing. He’s 6-7 and he fires upper-90s rockets at the plate. He also has a swing-and-miss slider. The former San Diego Padre hasn’t pitched since 2019, coming back from the pandemic and Tommy John surgery.
“His stuff is nasty,” Hinch said. “He’s had a hard time staying on the field the last couple of years for various reasons. But, he’s very extreme when he gets ahead in the count. He’s got wipeout-type stuff when he’s ahead in the count and, like a lot of pitchers, struggles when he’s not.”
Wingenter has gotten ahead of 121 big-league hitters and struck out 65 of them. Legit.
“His stuff is real,” Hinch said.
Diaz can also bring the heat. His average fastball is 95.6 mph. But he misses bats with an elite changeup.
“It’s a real weapon,” Hinch said. “He’s got enough experience to where he can pitch throughout a game. And it’s a different look. So many people in our industry have shifted toward spin (sliders and curve balls), and he’s continued to master the fastball-changeup.”
Mason Englert — Rule 5 alive
Mason Englert is a bundle of energy on the mound. The 23-year-old Texan whom the Tigers took in the Rule 5 draft has a powerful drive off the mound and an unpredictable set of athletic steps and spins upon his landing and follow-through.
The motion helps with the deception of his changeup, which he throws off a mid-90s fastball. He also has a slider in his arsenal. He profiles as a starting pitcher, but his best chance to stick with the Tigers is in the bullpen.
“For a young player who has battled through a lot of injuries and has limited experience, he’s incredibly comfortable in his own skin,” Hinch said. “He’s very unique in his pre-game planning, and we love that. And he’s got four weapons he can use.
“The big key for us is settling him in and getting some early looks at him to see how viable a candidate he is.”
Englert, who trained and lived in Grand Rapids this offseason, faced the same four hitters Lange did. He didn’t throw as many strikes, but he didn’t give up any loud hits, either.
“If he wants to impress us,” Hinch said. “If he wants to make a run at this team, if he wants to factor into a roster decision, the best way he can do that is to be in the strike zone.”
Happy Birthday, Tram
Hall of Famer Alan Trammell spent his 65th birthday shagging balls in the outfield during batting practice, working with infielders, and discussing infield positioning with Tigers coaches.
“He’s very unique,” Hinch said. “I don’t think you will find a harder-working alum who gives back so much to the organization, especially someone who’s had such an established playing career. He’s selfless … his baseball mind is as sharp as ever. His energy is high.
“He garners a lot of respect, not only for what he’s done in his career, but for how he’s willing to improve the players. He’s special.”
Twitter: @cmccosky