Washington Nationals: Five Takeaways From The Grapefruit League

By Ron Juckett | Mar 31, 2017

Mar 24, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (80) hands the ball to manager Dusty Baker (12) and leaves the game against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

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STRASBURG FROM THE STRETCH

Most successful pitchers do not change their mechanics dramatically between seasons. Yet, Stephen Strasburg’s decision to work exclusively from the stretch in West Palm Beach was born out his need to simplify.

After a flexor-mass strain derailed his 2016, keeping him out of the playoffs, Strasburg felt the need for change. Two starts were good, one was a disaster while the last kept his arm warm for the regular season.

We do not know if he will use it once the regular season starts, but he felt comfortable from the stretch with the bases empty. As long as he locates his pitches and baffles hitters, he can use a full Luis Tiant-style wind.

As with relievers, being comfortable and confident with your stuff is critical for Strasburg. His arm must hold up for at least 180 innings of real baseball. If he feels better not using the wind why not?

Under normal circumstances, a pitcher starts five times or so in spring, gets his work in and runs wind sprints. If we looked at Strasburg’s March that way, he did what he set out to do. All you want right now.

If he is good, then the Nats are.

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