Brett Cecil’s struggles with the Toronto Blue Jays so far in 2016 have been well documented.
The 29-year-old is 0-5 with an ERA of 5.59 and the lefty has allowed 14 hits in just 9.2 innings of work.
Pat Hentgen, a Cy Young winner and special assistant to the Blue Jays, thinks some simple advice for Cecil could go a long way.
“The first thing I’d tell him is, ‘Listen, you’re 0-5 but that’s a compliment,'” Hentgen told Dean Blundell & Co. on Sportsnet 590 The Fan Tuesday. “I know it sounds crazy but you have to be a good reliever to be out there for that many decisions. That means the manager’s putting you in the game when the game is on the line.
“Secondly, I think he needs to use his fastball more. I know that he loves his curve — he’s got a great curve, he’s got one of the best swing-and-miss curves, I get all that — but you know what, when you start pounding curveball, curveball, curveball, hitters they adjust and you have to keep them true with that heater.”
The numbers back up what Hentgen is saying about Cecil not using his fastball as frequently as he could.
Check out this graphic of Cecil’s pitch selection via Bluebird Banter.
“I know he’s got good fastball command so I think it’s getting back to the basics,” Hentgen added. “Let’s not spin off, let’s stay on line, stay to your target, don’t spin off towards third and start executing your fastball up and in and down and away. That will make his curveball swing and miss even more.”