GOODYEAR, Arizona – “Be great at what you’re good at.”
All Cincinnati Reds pitchers have heard pitching coach Derek Johnson say that phrase to them throughout his last two years in the organization. Many have repeated it when speaking with reporters. It’s the mantra for the pitching staff and it hits at the core philosophy that Johnson wanted to establish with the club.
Luis Castillo has one of the best changeups in the game and he’s told to throw it as often as he wants. Amir Garrett threw his slider 56% of the time last year, much more than he threw his fastball.