The pitch that everyone is talking about this October started with a coach's suggestion to a high school sophomore in 2016.
ATLANTA — Oscar Espada had moved from Puerto Rico to Sarasota, Fla., only a few months before walked into the Florida International Baseball Academy. Espada was looking for pitchers to tutor. Kerkering was a high school sophomore. They met every Wednesday night beginning in 2016. “Orion is a different kind of guy,” Espada said. The pitching coach was not sure what to make of the kid. Advertisement One thing was obvious. “He had a very bad curveball,” Espada said.
Kerkering could spin it; this was before “spin rate” trickled down from the majors to become part of the modern pitching vernacular. Pitchers and coaches knew it was important; they just could not quantify it with youth arms. “The fact that he has such long fingers allowed him to actually change speeds on his slider,” Espada said. This was what separated Kerkering. He could throw a quick and short slider, then another one with less velocity but more break.
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