Comstock Park, Mich. — In his throwing hand was a plastic water bottle he twirled and spun at a speed that might have matched the thoughts surging through a young pitcher’s head.
Matt Manning was busy thinking, and explaining, as he stood outside the Whitecaps clubhouse at Fifth Third Ballpark, where Single-A West Michigan plays its games as a Tigers farm affiliate.
The day before had been rough — early, anyway. Two walks, a couple of hits, two runs, 32 pitches in the first inning of a game against South Bend. He slowed down, found some rhythm, and finished the next five innings with 67 pitches and no runs.