In a move that is quite different from what Neftali Feliz said last week, he now wants to be a starter.
With the resent outing of Tommy Hunter, the Rangers could do worse in the starting rotation.
But why the new change of heart for Feliz? Seems that Feliz has added a new pitch to his already impressive set of pitches—a fast ball cutter.
Not just your average fastball but one that cuts. In other words a combination fastball with slider, but with about two more inches less cutting out or in, less than a regular slider with more velocity. Depending on the speed of the ball, it will dictate the amount of break it will have as it arrives at the plate.
Having a fastball that “cuts” can help his strikeouts increase and maybe keep his home run percentage down. As reported in my last article on Feliz, he managed in the equivalent to 11 games in the majors, giving up seven home runs in a closing role.
The cutter should help keep his home runs down in a starting role, never mind a closing role. That’s his thinking. What does manager Ron Washington say?
"He'll make up his mind sooner or later. He threw very well today. He changed speeds, used all his pitches, pounded the fastball, got more on his fastball when he had to. When he's got the fastball down in the zone, it has some explosion on it."
Mark Lowe isn’t really making a positive push for that starter role after walking the first batter in the ninth inning last week against the White Sox. That lead to the Rangers loss 7-6.
With a starting rotation of C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Feliz would be inserted into the third spot and maybe leave Hunter in the bullpen. Alexi Ogando is also a possibility at the closer role also. Could there be a closer by committee situation in Texas?
When asking that question, it seems that doesn’t seem to be the best thing for the Rangers. Coming off the World Series, do you really want to mess with the rotation too much?
That old saying of, “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” comes to mind.
Success last season should keep Feliz as the closer, but with that suspect starting rotation, he would be an improvement.
Hunter does have some experience in the bull pen, but can he adjust to the closer role along with Ogando? It seems like the Rangers want Hunter on this team. Can he make the adjustment, or will he be used more in stretch relief?
What still rings in my ears about Hunter from last season in the playoffs he said, "I'm not a strikeout pitcher, maybe the last two were a fluke, and this is what it's supposed to be like."
Feliz was on fire in yesterday’s game. Allowing one run on four hits and throwing 59 pitches. Very impressive in a young spring training preseason.
Either way, Feliz will be a major role in the Ranger pitching plans this season.
Sonny Clark is also a writer for examiner.com. Check out his Dallas and local stuff HERE. He also does an online sports show called "The Couch Potato Sports Show" heard on BlogTalkRadio Monday and Thursdays at 7PM CST, as well as Saturday morning at 10AM CST. Click Here to go to the web page.
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