CINCINNATI —
Andres Munoz worked hard to develop an effective second pitch.
He was told again and again that no matter how hard he threw, he needed another offering that could keep major league hitters honest.
Here he is, a little more than a month into his major league career, with a fastball that runs faster than any major leaguer currently active, and the 20-year-old right-hander is enjoying the fruit of just how true that was.
Munoz smiled Monday when it was mentioned that he has yet to allow a hit with his slider.
“Honestly, I’m really surprised at how much it helps, how it can get you out of tight situations,” Munoz said through interpreter David Longley.