Cody Bradford Looking to 'Channel Command' in Spring Training from Rangers' Bullpen
Cody Bradford would be the first to admit his spring training appearance was far from what he expected.
The breaking ball wasn't breaking. A few two-strike pitches just fell outside the line. A run crossed home during his two innings of work for the Texas Rangers in a 5-4 win Friday afternoon in Surprise, Ariz.
For now, it's fine. One spring training appearance won't define Bradford's season once the team returns to Arlington. But Bradford is taking his time on the mound with a stern approach over the next few weeks before the Rangers welcome the Chicago Cubs on Opening Day.
"For me it's just getting command," said Bradford. "I just need to make sure I can locate the fastball well, throw the changeup in there when I need to and then get ahead with the breaking ball."
Bradford needed two pitches to set himself up with a short inning. He needed three to give Kansas City an early 1-0 lead off a Drew Waters' solo shot to left-center field.
Both of Bradford's outs came on fastballs. The homer was on a change-up, the same pitch that was fouled off before to set up a 1-1 count.
"Whenever you throw a really good pitch you try to make the next one a little bit nastier, but I ended up hanging it right down the middle," said Bradford. "[Waters] got a hold of it. It was a really good swing."
Bradford said he went 1-of-3 on the breaking pitches Friday. Is it a win? Perhaps down the line, but Bradford's attention for now is trying to land something to loosen up the heater.
"Just something I could land for strikes," said Bradford. "Not necessarily a swing-and-miss, just looking to get ahead in the count."
After the long ball, Bradford gave up a single before retiring four in a row to end his afternoon with a 3-1 lead. Among the eight batters faced, Bradford never fell behind in the count.
Texas returns to the field Saturday for a 3:05 p.m. CT first pitch against the Royals.
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