Posted by John Fay:
Just talked to new pitching coach Bryan Price. I’m going to write something for Sunday. Here’s some highlights from our conversation:
–He said his deal is for three years, which is pretty standard for someone in demand. It’s noteworthy here because Dusty Baker is in the last year of his contract.
–Walt Jocketty said that the pitching coach would be involved in the pitching philosophy in the minors. Price will be. He said he’s spoken to minor league coordinator Mack Jenkins. “What you want is a consistent plan of development,” he said. “I’m looking for is a meeting of the minds and good communication. I have my ideas. But I’m not going to come in and tell everyone how to do their jobs. I’ve been on the other end of that and it doesn’t work.”
–Price worked with Brandon Webb, the king of the sinkerballers in Arizona, but he doesn’t force the pitch on his staff. “I’m an advocate of it,” he said. “But I also know that very few pitchers can get that type of action on the ball. You need your hand to work in the certain way and have a loose wrist to get the ball to come out that way. Until you work with someone, you can’t say who does and who doesn’t.”
–Price has talked to Jenkins and bullpen coach Porky Lopez to get a feel for the staff. He’s also is having video coordinator Jeff Graupe get him video of pitchers. He hasn’t talked to any of the pitchers. “It’s a little early to talk about next seen,” he said.
