The primary goal for the 2018 Texas Rangers pitching staff was to walk fewer batters in part by throwing more quality strikes.
It’s a fundamental concept but one that needed to be reinforced after posting the third-most walks in the American League in 2017 while striking out the fewest in baseball.
The Rangers have accomplished their fewer-walks goal with only four weeks remaining in the season. They’re still last in strikeouts, though.
Down in the minor leagues, the message has been pounded into the minds of the young pitchers. Reducing walks starts with commanding the fastball, which then makes the off-speed pitches more effective out of the strike zone.