Today we look at three pitchers, Joel Carreno, Casey Lawrence and Ryan Tepera. All pictures and video are from my recent trip to spring training.
Joel Carreno had a breakout year last season at Dunedin, leading the league in strikeouts. Even though he dominated in high A ball, he still needs to prove himself in AA this season. Will his fastball and big slider fool AA hitters as it did A ball hitters?
Carreno looks a little heavier now than when I saw him a couple of years ago. He has made two starts in AA so far this season and the results are decidedly mixed, but there is time to find his potential.
Casey Lawrence is an undrafted free agent who surprised everyone with his great pitching in Auburn in 2010. That performance earned him a position in Lansing's starting rotation for 2011.
Lawrence doesn't blow anyone away but he mixes four pitches and keeps the hitters off balance.
The third pitcher is Ryan Tepera. Tepera is a sinker, slider pitcher and is starting for Dunedin.
Video of all three pitchers can be seen at Vimeo, here. At the link you can also see videos of Noah Syndergaard; Aaron Sanchez; Moises Sierra; Deck McGuire and others.
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