Michael Plassmeyer chats about early season ups and downs for Lehigh Valley: Previews start against WooSox
While in grade school and into middle school, Michael Plassmeyer earned the nickname “Downtown Mike Plassmeyer” for his lengthy range he showed off on the basketball court.
“I never saw a shot I didn’t like.” is how the De Smet Jesuit High School alum described it.
Plassmeyer had to eventually give up basketball in high school to focus on baseball but still wishes he could get back on the court.
The former Mizzou product made his major league debut last season for the Phillies prior to their postseason run. While it was only seven innings between two outings, the left-hander gained valuable experience pitching in the big leagues.
How has the next season fared?
“I have had a a few ups and downs, I am still figuring out some stuff.” Plassmeyer said. “I developed some bad habits early on this season, so I am trying to break those and get back to where I was last year.”
The lefty carried an impressive 2.41 ERA with Lehigh Valley in 16 starts last season. That production earned him a promotion to the Phillies major league roster where he appeared in two games and held his own. He got to throw six innings against the eventually World Series champion Houston Astros. Plassmeyer had six strikeouts and three earned runs in that appearance.
That experience sent him to Spring Training this season with added confidence to be around big leaguers.
“It was cool being around the big name guys and other big leaguers and seeing how they go about their business.” Plassmeyer said. “I looked at their work ethic and how they went about their day during the grind of spring training since you have all of those games. I learned a lot from them, and it was cool being around them and picking their brains.”
There are a couple of yearly Cy Young candidates on the Phillies roster in Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. Plassmeyer knew that the time spent around those two were crucial for how he prepares himself as a big leaguer.
“It really is more about their daily routines and preparation to see how they are making their bodies feel good every day.” Plassmeyer added. “Right after your start, you don’t have a day off. You start to recover and get yourself ready for the next outing.”
Plassmeyer Focuses on Start Against WooSox
The WooSox will be meeting Plassmeyer for the second time this season. In his first start, he went six innings and had seven strikeouts. WooSox didn’t get much going against him, and he also knows they have some serious hitters in the lineup.
“They have some power guys in the lineup like Alfaro.” Plassmeyer said. “I played with Ronaldo Hernandez so I know he has some juice in the bat. David Hamilton is good out of the leadoff spot. They don’t chase out of the zone. They seem fairly patient, and they know what they want to hit. They stick to that so it is a matter of executing your pitch and getting ahead early so that you can be on attack mode as a pitcher.”
The season has featured some good and some bad for the St. Louis native, and he’s looking ahead to his next couple of starts while polishing his secondary pitches a bit.
“It is getting my slider back to where it was last year.” Plassmeyer said. “I have seen some flashes of it this year, but it just hasn’t been consistent and I have lacked confidence in moving in and out of the zone. I want to get back to using that in any count whenever I want it. The changeup has been pretty solid, it’s just a matter of trusting it. The fastball has been pretty on point for me.”
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