Moreno in control behind plate … and at it
PHOENIX — The D-backs had been hoping to get an influence catcher behind the plate, each offensively and defensively, once they acquired Gabriel Moreno from the Blue Jays in December.
Those hopes have been realized.
Moreno has confirmed his skill to spray the ball everywhere in the discipline whereas sustaining a fortified place behind the plate. After going 3-for-4 and driving in a run within the D-backs’ 5-2 victory over the Marlins on Monday evening, Moreno has a slash line of .315/.323/.404 in his first 27 video games with Arizona.
The key to his success to date? According to Moreno and D-backs supervisor Torey Lovullo, it has simply been about turning into comfy across the group.
“He was a very young player last year playing at the big league level, and he’s putting up some concepts together,” Lovullo mentioned. “He got here right here, and we put so much on him defensively … to go on the market and care for the pitcher first.
“I think the swing mechanics were always there, but he was probably a little bit excited and going out of the zone. Once we talked to him about it, he brought it back into here. And now he’s swinging at strikes and hitting the ball where it’s pitched.”
As effectively as he’s swinging his bat, Moreno’s largest asset may be his protection.
According to Statcast, Moreno is tied for first in MLB in catcher’s caught stealing above common, which is designed to precise the ability of catchers at throwing out runners on steal makes an attempt, given the specifics of the alternatives they’re introduced with. Also, out of 47 eligible gamers, he ranks seventh in pop time.
In different phrases, don’t run on Moreno. He attributes his success behind the dish to only engaged on the fundamentals and clicking with the pitcher.
“My priority is to be able to connect with the pitcher and call the game,” Moreno mentioned in Spanish. “Everything else is doing simple stuff like receiving, catching and blocking the ball. It’s stuff that you always have to work on as a catcher. That’s what I carry with me to the game and the results are showing.”
D-backs starter Zac Gallen actually clicked with Moreno, going seven innings towards the Marlins with seven strikeouts and one run allowed.
“Gabby cares,” Gallen mentioned. “I could care less if a catcher is hitting 1.000 or if he’s hitting .100. I think the biggest thing is, don’t let the ball go to the backstop and care. Gabby’s really good at that. He eliminates the running game. He’s in the war with you.”
Moreno was optimistic when he obtained the news of the offseason commerce. Despite at one level being the Blue Jays’ No. 1 prospect, he knew there can be the chance to be an on a regular basis participant — not like in Toronto the place Alejandro Kirk was coming off an All-Star season. It wouldn’t solely enable the 23-year-old catcher to develop extra, but it surely additionally meant he’d play a key position with the D-backs and their younger, promising roster.
The solely problem posed can be how shortly he’d be capable of regulate to studying a brand new system with Arizona’s pitching employees. So far, it’s been a clean transition. Moreno enjoys being in a clubhouse with gamers who’re in the identical state of affairs as him — younger, nonetheless determining the trials and tribulations of taking part in on the Major League stage.
“I feel like the conformity I have with guys has given me the confidence to do what I need to,” Moreno. “That confidence helps when I’m on the diamond. I just try to go out and do my job, whether it’s hitting, catching and pitch selection — all of that stuff. It’s an important relationship to have with the pitcher.”
