1:11FORT MYERS, FLA. – No, three walks, a double and a wild pitch, all in just eight batters, isn't what Jose Berrios had in mind for his 2016 spring debut. But have no fear, the rookie righthander said Saturday.
"Next time," Berrios pledged, "I'll be great."
So it appears he has conquered his nerves.
If that's the case, the Twins gladly will forget all about their top pitching prospect's messy-but-understandable 1⅓-inning outing in the Twins' 13-2 victory over the Orioles at Hammond Stadium, a muddle that he blamed on first-day jitters. Berrios couldn't control his fastball, and his changeup kept breaking out of the zone, leading to just four outs in 35 pitches.
"First time pitching in spring training, I feel like I'm too excited," Berrios said.
He loaded the bases in his first inning of work in relief of starter Ervin Santana, then struck out Baltimore outfielder Dariel Alvarez on a 94-mph high fastball to leave them stranded.
Between innings, he told himself, "Just calm down. Don't be rushed,' " Berrios said. "Everybody here was like, 'C'mon, you can be great. Just calm down and do your job.' "
Manager Paul Molitor has no doubt that he will, saying: "I don't think he threw a changeup for a strike. He threw a fair amount, seven or eight — they were close but I don't think he was quite commanding that pitch, and then he had to throw fastballs over. I'm sure he's trying to make an impression. … He'll head back out there when his turn rolls around again."
