CLEARWATER, Fla. — The task has been the same for Jerad Eickhoff as he entered each of the past five offseasons: find a change-up. The task’s results — a pitch that fell flat and a grip that lacked comfort — have also been consistent. Eickhoff has never found a change-up that lasted. But this time, the 27-year-old right-hander said Friday, might be different.
Eickhoff gathered input from other pitchers over the last six months to find a grip that he could use. He threw just 15 change-ups last season and struggled without a fourth offering to accompany his fastball, curveball, and slider.