From Geoff.
"The fastball and the curveball are very impressive, but it's tough to start in the big leagues with two pitches," Willis said. "He's got two plus-pitches now, but that changeup's going to be very important for him."
Reminded that Pineda had only two pitches, Willis smiled and said the requisite stuff about not having seen Paxton often enough for any comparisons. But then he added, based on what he has seen, Paxton has an uncanny ability to repeat his delivery with ease.
"As good as Michael Pineda was, I've seen two bullpens this year with Paxton and I'm very impressed with his ability to repeat," Willis said. "Especially a guy with his height (6 feet 4). So I think he's got a real good body awareness. Not to say that Michael didn't. But this guy, he really repeats his delivery, and that's a key. Because control and command come right off of that."
Lonnie and I noticed that in his Spring bullpens. Just like water flowing. I love watching his arm go straight down, ball behind him, and then around with a smooth easy 96 mph fastball that appears almost effortless. He's a beautiful thrower of the ball.
He walks some guys but is not especially wild. The curveball is a hammer that isn't always in the zone, but it's definitely a weapon. And a rising 96 MPH fastball on the hands is just unfair.
A changeup would be great - and he's added one that surprises people with how good it's gotten in such a short time. I don't think he necessarily needs a plus one before he sees the bigs. A plus-plus LH FB and a plus curve is plenty with an average change.
But then, I'm a huge fan of his.
~G