Dodgers News: Noah Syndergaard is Grateful to Be Learning from LA’s Coaches
Noah Syndergaard is entering his ninth year in the MLB. He's suited up for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies, and has been a part of two teams that reached the World Series.
To say that Syndergaard has been a part of good teams would be an understatement, and he's learned from some of the best coaches in the game. However, entering his first year with the Dodgers, Syndergaard made something clear: These are the best coaches he's ever had in his career (per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register).
"The coaches here are unbelievable, super knowledgeable, the best coaching I’ve ever had in my career," Syndergaard said. "There’s just synergy among the pitching coaches, the strength coaches, our trainers, the training room. They all work together to make the best version of me show up every five days."
This, Syndergaard said, is very different from the support he's received in the past.
"Last year, I was kind of pulled in all different directions trying to figure out what works for me, what doesn’t," Syndergaard said. "I’m this big, powerful guy and they were trying to get me to fit this mold of somebody I wasn’t."
The Dodgers aren't making the same mistake. The Dodgers are working with Syndergaard to play to his strengths, and it's worked so far, to the tune of a 0.96 ERA in 9.1 innings pitched this spring.
Syndergaard's velocity is topping at just 94 mph, but he's not worried about that, and neither is his manager Dave Roberts.
"I think people get a little too caught up in velocity especially when you’re talking about Noah," Roberts said before his last start on March 11.
As long as he's getting batters out, I don't think anyone cares how fast Thor is pitching — and so far, so good.
