Diamondbacks' power-armed reliever filling up the zone, pushing for job
Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Juan Morillo is throwing more strikes, and getting better results, in spring training this year.
Nineteen pitchers have thrown at least 100 pitches at Diamondbacks camp this spring. Only five have thrown a higher percentage of strikes than right-hander Juan Morillo. It is a rudimentary accounting of his Cactus League performance, but, in a sense, not much else matters for the Diamondbacks’ flame-throwing reliever.
“I’ve got really good stuff,” Morillo said. “When I’m in the zone, I’ve got a good chance to get quick outs. ” It was, Morillo said, the biggest thing he took away from his first taste of the majors last season.
He went into the offseason — and has come into spring training — with a focus on doing everything possible to throw more strikes. He worked on his command and mechanics in the offseason. He changed his diet.
He even changed his sleep habits. He has come into camp at roughly the same weight — about 220 pounds — but feeling stronger and more energetic, and he says he is moving better on the mound. His results in the Cactus League have put him into the conversation for a spot on the Opening Day roster.