In the middle of last season, as he carried a bloated ERA and fished for command of his fastball, Junior Fernandez finished his pregame game of catch and saw, over his shoulder, Adam Wainwright throwing a bullpen session. Fernandez wandered over to watch, to study the veteran starter, and what followed was a conversation that he’s not sure Wainwright remembers but he knows changed his career.
Fernandez brought up his sinker, a pitch he ditched, and Wainwright asked why.
“Hey, he told me, ‘They banged it, took it off the table back then, but right now you’ve got more experience, you’ve got more feel, bring it back,’” Fernandez recalled.