St. Louis Cardinals’ Trevor Rosenthal continues making progress – MLB News
St. Louis Cardinals’ pitcher Trevor Rosenthal was a rare addition to the bullpen this year. The 22-year-old was promoted to Major League at a time when the Cardinals were in the middle of the regular season and when ace pitcher Chris Carpenter was in the disabled list – seemingly indefinitely.
Rosenthal, who had begun his career as shortstop, radically modified his position and switched to pitching. He was a resounding success and this echoed enough to earn him a place in the Majors.
Within a few years, he has already started throwing 100 mph – a feat that is rare and striking.
"I mean, I've always just had a stronger arm growing up than all of my peers and teammates," Rosenthal said. "It's been noticeably different the way the ball came out of my hand. I guess as far as the radar gun and realizing what it was registering, it never really was anything I focused on."
His pitches, if not always touching 100 mph, hover around 98-99 mph. Such craft, which comes seemingly effortlessly, inspires awe. Fellow pitcher Joe Kelly makes a mention of it in glowing terms.
"I don't know what he does, but I've seen him every day in the weight room -- maybe I should probably start doing what he does," said fellow rookie right-hander Joe Kelly. "Watching this guy pitch is pretty phenomenal. He's hitting 100 [mph] every time he goes out there."
That knack not only brought him to Major League Baseball, but also helped him gain acclaim as the rookie pitcher with tremendous talent in the regular season. Seven scoreless appearances were evidence of his remarkable grip and sway.
General manager John Mozeliak’s assertion that the pitcher will either be in the club’s rotation or bullpen next year has already excited the increasingly expanding circle of fans. That also is reassuring for the Cardinals for a number of reasons.
Their ace pitchers, Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter, were out of the line-up for two different years due to Tommy John surgery. Both starters’ absence had a tremendous impact on the overall performance of the club.
The coming year, however, will have marked difference given the presence of a pitcher like Rosenthal. Making his debut on July 18 this year, Rosenthal holds 2.78 ERA in 19 appearances.
Tags: