Opposing hitters teed off on right-hander Yoan Lopez’s fastball in the second half of last season, but the Diamondbacks reliever said he is working to fix an issue that he thinks caused the pitch to be less effective.
Lopez said he is now getting better, more effective spin on the pitch, something he hopes will make it harder for hitters to square up. Over the final three months of last season, batters hit .379 with a .773 slugging off his fastball despite his velocity remaining in the mid-90s.
“I definitely have worked on that, not only this spring but also in the offseason,” Lopez said, speaking through interpreter Martin Bater.