One Pitch Away
Rangers pitcher Justin Grimm shows toughness but needs consistency
Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux and bullpen coach Andy Hawkins call it being “one pitch away from greatness.” In their clubhouse, being one pitch away from greatness means that any pitcher, when he’s in trouble, is one pitch away from getting out of it.
If that’s the case, then Justin Grimm was downright legendary in his April 21 start against Seattle.
Grimm went six innings and struck out a career-high nine hitters. That’s important because he had lost to the Mariners 10 days before the start, and he lasted only four innings.
Ron Washington wants Grimm to make great pitches before he gets into trouble, not when he needs to escape.
But he still found himself in jams most of the afternoon — 13 of them. That’s the number of Mariners hitters that came to the plate with a runner in scoring position.
Grimm ended five of his six innings with a strikeout. The Mariners were 1-of-11 with runners in scoring position.
“It all started with Grimm on the mound,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “He was able to make good pitches at the right time, kept his ball down, changed speeds and threw the ball the way we felt he was capable of throwing it. It all started right there. He gave us a chance.”
When the Texas Rangers put together their starting rotation for 2013, they knew they would be without Colby Lewis, Neftali Feliz and Martin Perez. Last week they lost Matt Harrison. Technically, the Rangers are already down four starting pitchers.
That makes Grimm very important. Right now he’s a critical part of this rotation, when you consider Lewis won’t be back until at least June, and Harrison won’t be back until at least after All-Star Break.
That’s why Washington laughed when someone asked him if Grimm’s outing against the Mariners firmed up his place in the rotation in the short term.
“I didn’t know that his position wasn’t solidified,” Washington said. “As far as I know, he’s taking the ball again, and I never knew that was in jeopardy. So, you know something I don’t?”
Grimm is just seven starts into his Major League career. He was a fifth-round pick in 2010 and made his MLB debut in June of last year. In his limited exposure he’s shown some great stuff, especially his changeup and breaking ball.
But Grimm also has the inconsistency you would expect from a young starter. That’s part of the reason Grimm worked from behind so often against the Mariners. Washington wants Grimm to make those great pitches before he gets into trouble, not when he needs to escape.
That’s why Washington made a rare visit to the mound that didn’t involve making a pitching change once the Rangers had the lead and Grimm was in trouble again.
“All I went and asked him was, ‘What are you trying to do? Don’t change what you’ve been doing to this point. We just put some runs on the board for you. Don’t try to get out of the inning before you make your pitches,’” Washington said.
Grimm’s biggest flaw right now is allowing too many baserunners. That’s something that can be corrected with experience and coaching.
Washington said Grimm’s development depends on how he delivers when he’s “one pitch away from greatness.” For that matter, the Rangers’ short-term success depends on it too.
