Torey Lovullo Discusses Rotation and 5th Starter Competition

With a bevy of options the team will take their time working through their evaluations

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo went on the record stating they feel very strongly about one through four in their rotation. Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodríguez and Brandon Pfaadt are inked to the first four rotation spot.  The fifth starter's spot is very much a competition however.  "I like that," Lovullo said, "I like that spirit of competition, we talked about it a little yesterday, and it's a real thing."

The two primary candidates for the 5th spot appear to be Tommy Henry and Ryne Nelson, although Lovullo would not commit to any sort of ranking or reveal their internal depth chart. Other pitchers like Slade Cecconi and perhaps even Blake Walston or Bryce Jarvis will be in the mix. 

"I'm challenging everybody the same when they come into my office, and just telling them they've got to go out and perform, and what you do in spring training matters. I'll leave it at that. I'm sure we all have in our mind an order of where we want those guys to fall, but it's just too close to call for me."

Spring Training competition evaluations are not results. Spring ERA is not really going to be a determinant factor. According to Lovullo, consistency will be the key. The pitchers will need to repeat their delivery, throw quality strikes, control the at bat, control the zone. Those are the things Lovullo and his staff will be looking for. Lovullo made some candidate specific comments of note today however.

Tommy Henry

The team considered having Henry return from his injured list stint for the team's postseason run last year, but he would only have been able to provide some length in the bullpen, as it was too late to ramp him up to starter innings.  Ultimately the team decided to stick with the bullpen they had for their run to the World Series. 

Asked what they have Henry working on, Lovullo said "Some of the things that we've told him directly is quality strikes with all his pitches, getting ahead in counts, finishing off hitters and not letting the at bat linger. Of all of our starters he was the starter that had the lowest exit velocity, we like that, We'd like that to continue, but we feel there is a couple things he can hone in on. I think fastball command and fastball consistency was number one for me."

Ryne Nelson

Nelson has been in camp since November, working with Brent Strom. "I've seen a lot of good things from him. He's been here a long time. I know he's very dedicated, very directed towards winning that 5th spot. There's a few guys that fall into that category as well. I've loved everything I've seen from him."

Nelson needs to become less reliant on the fastball, Lovullo said. "Being able to throw secondary stuff in hitter counts and be consistent with it, maybe a little more swing and miss with the secondary stuff as well."  During his best start of the year last season in San Francisco, Nelson was able to use his changeup to get swing-and-miss. That, and his slider are keys for Lovullo. 

Blake Walston

Walston reached Triple-A last year and was potential depth. In fact, the team was close to calling him up out of need.  Walston had control issues for much of last year however, and probably wasn't ready.  After Walston threw a bullpen today, Lovullo said he loves what he's seen. "He's working his fastball to both corners at the top bar, he's working quality secondary stuff. There's a lot to like about Blake. I think it's just about logging innings, maturing as a player and getting out there and competing." 

Slade Cecconi

We didn't get a chance to ask Lovullo about Cecconi today, but he is being set up to start again and could be a dark horse come opening day. 

Bryce Jarvis

It's not yet clear if Jarvis will remain in the bullpen or move back to starting. Asked about it today, Lovullo declined to comment as he had not yet spoken with Jarvis about their plans on that front. 

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