For Cody Reed, Robert Stephenson and Amir Garrett, the ability to throw a baseball was never in question.
The radar gun and the pop in the catcher's mitt can tell you that but the hitters can tell you a different story about pitchers.
"The hitter will tell you something is wrong when they start to hit pitches on the barrel of the bat, or are comfortable with their swing," Bryan Price said.
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"They could not have been throwing the ball in the Major League the way they did in Triple A," Price said. "Reed's numbers showed he was better than the league in Louisville but when he got to the Major League, he was getting the ball in the middle of the plate. It was command and aggression that caused them to struggle."
The struggle was necessary," Price said. "The winter allowed them to ease the intensity and come to spring training to make a fresh start."
Along with Garrett, two of the four could win one of the two starting positions left after Anthony DeSclafani, Brandon Finnegan and Scott Feldman. DeSclafain and Finnegan are young pitchers too but have shown a fierce competitiveness. Feldman has a lot of experience to fall back on.
"I mentioned Johnny Cueto," Price said. "He entered the league with confidence. He pitched shutout baseball and struck out 10 in his first start. I was there. I was the Diamondback's pitching coach that day. I mentioned Dwight Gooden and his success at a young age."
Although Price didn't see a lot of Garrett last spring and not at all after spring training, he likes his demeanor.
"His stuff is obvious but more importantly, everyone raves about his competitiveness and will. He'll be given a great opportunity this spring," Price said.
Liisavelto Bonilla and Nefi Ogando, both picked off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates and both with some Major League experience are also in the mix along with Tim Adleman, who pitched well last season.
'They are in the mix," Price said. "We're stockpiling strong arms."
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