Corey Kluber did not have his best start on Tuesday – six baserunners in 3 2/3 innings – as he toed the rubber for his third Spring Training appearance. Regardless, New York Yankees‘ manager Aaron Boone confirmed he will be in the rotation, as if there was ever any doubt.
Despite making eight starts in two seasons, the expectations are high for the 35-year old veteran. Although he has only made three Spring Training starts, the team likes what they have seen.
“I feel like physically he’s bounced back really well,” Boone said. “He’s responded to everything really well. I feel like he’s throwing really well. His stuff is crisp. I feel like he’s in a really good spot…”
Kluber showed his toughness on Tuesday. Even though he struggled to get comfortable on the mound, he made pitches when he needed to and only allowed one run. Still, he managed four strikeouts among the 11 outs he recorded.
His command has been present so far. He did not walk a batter in either of his first two Spring Training starts, and despite walking three on Tuesday, he still has nine strikeouts to three walks in 9 2/3 innings pitched so far.
It has been that crispness that has impressed Boone the most, and he recalls a recent live batting practice session to emphasize that point.
“I felt like it was just precise, it was command, it was the Kluber look to pitches as far as the crispness, the movement, and the control,” Boone said of the 60-pitch performance.
Corey Kluber Velocity
The only concern for Kluber is his diminished velocity. His four-seam fastball and his sinker topped out at 92 mph Tuesday, and they sat around 90-91 mph. At age 35 and coming off two injury-plagued seasons, it is unlikely to expect Kluber to return to his vintage form. At his best, his average velocity was around 92-93 mph, depending on the year.
Kluber isn’t worried.
“Looking at it historically, I think I do get a little uptick as the season goes on,” Kluber said.
Velocity is not his concern right now. From his experiences, that is something that comes as he builds up from start to start. Some people can come into Spring Training and throw hard, but then they plateau.
At this point in his career, Kluber knows he is the opposite. He needs to start off softer and build his way up.
Coming off the injuries, he is content with how his progression in camp has gone.
The Yankees aren’t worried, either.
“We understand the risks, obviously,” Boone said. “…but Corey Kluber is a great pitcher in this league, a Cy Young Award winner multiple times.”
His relationship with Eric Cressey provides them the confidence of where he was at physically in the winter and who was coming into camp.
Predicting Regular Season Performance
Boone admits Spring Training is not the most predictive measure of how one’s season will unfold. He knows that from experience when he struggled in Spring Training with the Florida Marlins in 2007, but still started the season well.
The biggest concern for Boone is for the veteran players to have their reps and be built up for the long season.
Even though he has gone 10 days in between each of his starts, Corey Kluber has gotten plenty of work in with live batting practices and other side sessions. As he continues to get work in the final days before Opening Day and display the crispness that Boone raves about, it is safe to expect Kluber to pitch well and see an uptick in velocity.
Players Mentioned: Corey Kluber and Aaron Boone
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
