Washington Nationals’ Steve McCatty happy after Stephen Strasburg dominates the LA Dodgers
In what happened to be the first game of Stephen Strasburg’s 2011 season, Washington Nationals’ pitching coach Steve McCatty was simply anxious. The senior coach had reason to be and he explained on Wednesday, September 7 in front of the reporters in Washington.
McCatty has been working on Strasburg since the hurler underwent Tommy John surgery. The coach was in Philadelphia when the ball thrower suffered the right elbow injury that would put him out for a long time. He had every reason to be nervous.
The pitching coach has reason to be apprehensive about a hurler going back into active duty. He clarified that he feels the same way for every pitcher. McCatty believes that it is not just Strasburg he feels that way about. He has seen him face his demons
and it is always nerve wrenching for a coach to see his pitchers go back in to the spotlight.
The coach explained that he felt that way with Jordan Zimmermann when he went through Tommy John surgery. McCatty rightfully justified his emotions when he said that there is reason to be concerned when anyone goes through what these guys go through and
goes back on to the mound.
Strasburg delivered five innings of supremacy against the Dodgers, conceding just two hits and striking four hitters.
"What more could you ask for? He did great, and it wasn't all at 98 and 99 [mph]," McCatty said.
When asked if there were changes in Strasburg’s mechanics, he responded clearly and suggested the front arm had gone through some change.
"What Stephen and I talked about ... is not going out there and trying to throw the ball at 98-99 [mph]. There is a much easier way to pitch when you pitch at a level with his command and still throw 95, 96, 97. And he has that sinker and the off-speed pitch.
Not everything has to be max effort.”
Strasburg has quality in him and there may not be a chance to climb up the ladder this year, but there is always opportunity in 2012.
Tags: