No more gimmick pitches or attempts to trick team officials or trainers.
In a span of two years, the White Sox’s bullpen has undergone a dramatic transformation that borders on an in-your-face, hard-throwing style similar to the Cincinnati Reds’ “Nasty Boys” of the early 1990s.
“We have some guys who can challenge people on the white part of the plate and get away with it because they throw hard,” catcher A.J. Pierzynski said during SoxFest.
Leading the way is closer Bobby Jenks, who didn’t join the organization until two years ago–when Shingo Takatsu was throwing 80-m.p.h. Frisbees in the ninth inning.
To the encouragement of team officials, Jenks is no longer relying solely on arm strength. He embarked on an all-around conditioning program that has resulted in a 25-pound weight loss.
The 6-foot-3-inch Jenks, 25, who now weighs 275 pounds, has alleviated some concerns about his ability to field his position. He believes the emphasis on conditioning will help ensure his strength throughout the season after his ERA swelled to 7.94 in July and 9.82 in September.
“What we’ve been doing is focusing a lot on my legs,” Jenks said. “I want strong legs, but I want to not feel fatigued in August. That’s the hottest month and you’re playing day games. They don’t call them the dog days for nothing.”
When Jenks was optioned to Double-A Birmingham two years ago, the Sox’s bullpen included Neal Cotts, Cliff Politte, Damaso Marte, Luis Vizcaino, Dustin Hermanson and Takatsu.
All six relievers are gone, and only Politte–who threw 95 m.p.h. before suffering bone spurs in his right pitching arm–could match the velocity of the Sox’s current relievers.
“We have young guys who can grow in Chicago, get experience and be successful,” manager Ozzie Guillen said.
General manager Ken Williams and Guillen agreed that the bullpen was an off-season priority. But Williams took notice that finesse pitchers are more vulnerable to home runs at U.S. Cellular Field, especially if they don’t possess a sinker or split-finger fastball.
Williams still sees the value of a finesse or submarine-style pitcher, such as Chad Bradford, who received a three-year, $10.5 million contract from Baltimore this winter.
But Williams would rather opt for a power pitcher at U.S. Cellular. Some fans bemoaned the loss of Brandon McCarthy, who helped the Sox reach the 2005 playoffs. But McCarthy, who relies heavily on his changeup to complement his 91-m.p.h. fastball, allowed 10 home runs in 48 1/3 innings as a reliever in home games last season.
It’s a major reason why Williams couldn’t pass up a chance to land 96-m.p.h. thrower Nick Masset, along with 21-year-old left-hander John Danks, in a deal for McCarthy.
“This year, I think if a starter comes out of the game, he’s going to have a lot of confidence in the bullpen,” Jenks said. “Especially if we get into the seventh [inning] with Mike MacDougal, [Matt] Thornton and me.”
Another newcomer is 6-10 left-hander Andrew Sisco, whose fastball has been clocked at 96 m.p.h. The Sox have toyed with the idea of using Sisco and Masset as starting pitchers in the future, but intend to evaluate them initially as closers because of their ability to contribute immediately.
The Sox are the third team in four years for newcomer David Aardsma, 25, who has attracted scouts because of his 95-m.p.h. fastball. But Aardsma said he would like to settle in as a permanent member of the Sox’s pen.
Jenks said being waived by the Los Angeles Angels helped him learn the transient nature of baseball.
“It’s one of those things that prepares you for things like the McCarthy trade or when I came here,” Jenks said. “You realize it’s part of the game.”
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mgonzales@tribune.com
