JUPITER, Fla. • Cardinals pitchers faced Cardinals hitters or the first time on Sunday and while pitching coach Derek Lilliquist said he saw all sorts of good things on Field 1 here, two items, in particular, caught his eye.
Righthander John Gant, acquired from Atlanta in the Jaime Garcia trade, is a pitcher who lifts his left leg, puts it down and lifts it again before delivering a pitch, a motion which could nettle an anxious hitter. But, said Lilliquist, “Gant has a little sneaker stuff than was advertised."
The Cardinals had had a sneak preview of the unusual motion last April in Atlanta when they connected for four runs over two innings in back-to-back appearances by Gant with the Braves.