MINORS: The Eyes Have It - Jackson Kowar, A.J. Alexy and the elusive third pitch

Photo of Jackson Kowar (RHP, KC) by Ryan Griffith

Depending on your familiarity with pitcher development, you may have heard the adage about all starting pitchers needing a third pitch. It refers to the thought that to have a chance at sustained MLB success, a starter needs not just a fastball (preferably that he can command) and one average or above off-speed pitch, but a “third” offering that he can have in his arsenal to keep hitters guessing. The best pitchers, and prospects, have at least three pitches they can command—meaning pitches they can throw not just for strikes but for quality strikes, manipulating offerings around the strike zone with the goal of keeping hitters off balance. This ability translates to giving that...

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