6 years agoPhiladelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jake Arrieta posted a disappointing 3.96 ERA during his debut season with the Phillies last year, a number he credits to an unfamiliar arm angle. The 33-year-old told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday that he somehow fell out of his usual three-quarter slot that he used during his Cy Young-winning season with the Cubs in 2015. Arrieta has consciously been trying to get back in the groove, saying: “From Day 1 in spring, I re-established more of that high three-quarter arm slot, which creates much more downward movement on the sinker, the cutter and the changeup.” So far the results speak for themselves: Arrieta struck out four over three perfect innings against the Twins in a Grapefruit League start on Sunday. Arrieta struck out 19.1 percent of the batters he faced last year, his lowest total since 2013. Spring numbers mean little, but Arrieta's command is worth monitoring. If he can rediscover his past form, the veteran remains a promising late-round steal.--Ryan Cook
Source: Scott Lauber