Cincinnati Red's Derek Dietrich talks about his role as "beekeeper" during Monday's Giants game. John Fay, Wochit
SAN FRANCISCO – During the offseason, Reds pitching coaches Derek Johnson and Caleb Cotham spoke to starter Anthony DeSclafani about using his fastball more often at the top of the strike zone.
Once DeSclafani arrived in camp, it was one of the first things the new pitching coaches mentioned to him. They wanted it to be an emphasis. They wanted him to commit to it. They thought it would complement his off-speed pitches well.
In his first seven starts of the season, he’s throwing his four-seam fastball more often and it’s been tougher to hit.