Taylor Broadway talks adjusting to AAA: Credits throwing partner Jake Faria for new slider grip
The WooSox bullpen has seen a bit of turnover over the past couple of weeks. We have seen Justin Garza, Ryan Sherriff, and Brennan Bernardino brought up to the Red Sox bullpen. We have also seen the team release Jake Thompson and have seen a promotion of Shane Drohan from Portland.
Taylor Broadway is currently entering his first full season in the Red Sox organization. The month of April was not kind to the former Ole Miss closer. His ERA in the month of April sat at 5.91. In his 10.2 innings pitched during the month, he gave up seven earned runs and four home runs over his six appearances.
The month of May has been a different story, as Broadway might be getting more comfortable at the AAA level.
“It was really getting settled in and working more before the game, stuff people really don’t see.” Broadway said about adjusting to AAA. “Getting some extra “front tosses” as we call them. I’m just trying to dial in on some things. I want to focus on my command as well. When I first got here, I was walking too many guys. Free passes aren’t going to help you so I’m trying to minimize those. I usually am not one to walk guys, so I think it was really getting comfortable and taking a step back and not doing anything different than what got me here.”
The Houston native has seen his usage in games come in all kinds of scenarios. We have seen him as an opener, multi-inning relief, and go an inning or less.
“Wherever they need me and however I can get innings and help the team is my mentality.” Broadway said about his usage out of the bullpen. “Whatever point I need to go in there, I am ready in the bullpen. Sometimes it’s been in the 5th inning, sometimes it’s in the 7th, and other times it’s been a couple of innings. No matter when it is, I lock in on a routine in the bullpen to get me prepped and ready to go in the game.”
New slider grip thanks to Jake Faria
While walking through the WooSox clubhouse a few weeks back, I noticed Broadway chatting with Jake Faria by his locker. Then I watched them go through pitching motions and didn’t realize at the time it would be something that Broadway would begin to use moving forward.
“I switched to the slider grip Faria showed me in the clubhouse.” Broadway noted about the encounter. “It really has changed how I throw it. When I first got here, my slider was 82-83 MPH. I wasn’t really throwing it well. It had OK shape but as velocity goes up, it makes things better. Lately I have been throwing it 86-89 MPH.” Broadway added. “Just adding that velocity makes a difference. Even if it’s less movement, it’s harder.”
Faria has pitched in 72 games in the majors across four different seasons. Broadway has only pitched in 12 games above AA, which happen to be all in AAA this year. Faria is the perfect guy to pick things up from, and Broadway knows it.
“I am thankful to have teammates like that who can help you.” Broadway said. “That’s what they are there for. Faria has tons of experience and has played for a long time in the big leagues. He is my throwing partner and getting to pick his brain that day was great. Sometimes you lose comfortability in grips, and really all that matters is being comfortable with your own grip. If you’re not comfortable, you’re not going to throw it with convection out on the mound. I just happened to find that and thankfully it’s helped out.”
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