Noah Syndergaard: Dodgers RHP Focused On Incremental Improvements Heading Toward Opening Day
Noah Syndergaard has had an interesting spring training so far. The Dodgers' offseason signing has pitched in three games, two of which are starts, and leads the team in innings pitched so far. Over 9.1 innings of work, he's allowed just 1 earned run (a solo shot on Saturday) and 4 hits. Yet the way you read about him sounds like he's been struggling mightily.
The nit-picky are looking for that vintage Thor velocity out of the veteran right-hander. Dodger manager Dave Roberts feels people are too worried about Syndergaard's velocity early in this spring. The hurler averaged 94 miles per hour in his most recent outing.
Syndergaard's view of his work this spring? Just keep getting a little better.
“I think it’s starting to get one percent better, just continue that trend,” he said. “Going out there and competing, my stuff is playing well right now. I just want to focus on getting one percent better every time I touch a baseball, and every time I get on the field to compete, then I think we’re going to be in a really good situation for the beginning of the season.”
What he does in the spring doesn't necessarily matter numbers wise. The thing Noah is looking for is the feel and consistency. Before games started, the pitcher talked about syncing his mechanics and alluded to worrying a bit to much about them. After Saturday's outing, he shared that he got to a point where he was throwing free and easy and staying out of his head.
“I think towards the end, I was able to go on autopilot. As many of us know, being internal (overthinking) on the mound has been my Achilles' heel my whole career. It’s encouraging … just focusing on the external results and getting the hitters out.”
The hope for Dave Roberts and the Dodgers is that Syndergaard can end up being one of the steals of the offseason. He agreed to a one year deal worth $13 million plus another $1.5 million in incentives in December. At worst, he can be an innings eater for the team. But if all goes right, he can be one of the best number four starters in baseball.
