Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie has struggled with injuries and underperformance in each of the last two seasons.
That doesn’t take away the fact that he not only made it to the majors, but he has played incredible numbers when healthy.
Unfortunately, McKenzie has been pitching with a sprained UCL and while doctors have recommended surgery, he has tried to play through it.
After another campaign with an ERA over 5.00 (5.11 in 75.2 innings, to be exact), McKenzie is determined to get back to the pitcher he was as recently as 2022, when he registered a 2.96 ERA in 191.1 frames.
He has been worked hard at the Cressey Sports Performance center in Florida.
He has been doing more than just working on his physique and pitches, though.
He is kind enough to offer words of advice to fellow hurlers, especially young ones trying to make their way in college.
What it's all about! @T_eazy24 paying it forward. 🫡👏 #cspfamily https://t.co/n6Dik1ejmY
— Cressey Sports Performance (@CresseySP) January 5, 2025
Cressey’s official account posted the experience of Michael Bollinger Jr., who shared how McKenzie came to him and offered some pointers on how to make his sweeper sharper.
Since Bollinger posted a video of the pitch, the tip apparently worked: the sweeper has some nice two-plane break.
McKenzie knows how to throw a very good breaking ball, and it will actually be one of the keys of his return to form.
The fact he was so willing to share his wisdom on the art of pitching made Bollinger’s day and he was proud, happy and grateful.
The hope is that McKenzie can finally leave the command woes that have plagued him in the last couple of years behind and can appear as a potential solution for the Guardians’ starting pitching depth issues.
NEXT: Juan Brito Joined Exclusive Guardians Club In 2024
