Jake Rice Wants to Establish His Slider in the Fall League

As a matchup lefty, Rice knows his slider will make or break his career.

Jake Rice is one of the three left-handed pitchers that the Diamondbacks are sending to the Arizona Fall League. A 9th rounder in the 2021 MLB Draft, Rice profiles as your typical left-hand matchup reliever with a low-90s sinker and a very good slider that gets a lot of swing-and-miss. Here in the Fall League, he's looking to get more reps and improve what will be his money-making pitch.

"It was getting more innings, preparing for those longer seasons at higher levels like Triple-A and the big leagues. Continuing to establish my breaking ball, because that's my money pitch, being able to attack the zone in and out with the slider."

The slider will be ultimately the pitch that makes or breaks his career with the D-backs. In the Fall League, Rice sees it as an opportunity to face guys who will be playing in the big leagues in the coming years. Facing hitters who are on the cusp of reaching the show, he's seeing how his stuff plays against them as a taste of what's to come when he gets the call. When Rice gets to the big leagues, he'll have to contend with the likes of Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Juan Soto, and Nolan Jones in critical situations in order to win a baseball game. Facing those types of hitters, he doesn't want to shy away from his strengths.

"When I'm in that position, there will be a lot of film to study on guys like Freddie, Mookie, Max Muncy, and those kinds of guys. Being able to understand what their swing type is, what their hot zone is, look at scouting reports, and stuff like that. When the time comes for me to face those guys, that will be the way I attack that approach."

For the first half of the season, Rice really struggled with the tough environment in Amarillo. In his first 22 games, he pitched to an ERA of 11.64 (25 ER in 19 2/3 IP) as 21 walks and seven hit batters created extra scoring opportunities. In the second half, there were much fewer baserunners as the walks came down and the strikeouts jumped up. In his final 18 games, his ERA improved to 3.97 with a 34-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his final 22 2/3 innings. 

"We definitely saw that a lot more with the big league balls last year. It's a short porch and the wind blows straight out. I think it's realizing that you still need to go with your strengths out there, also understanding what the weaknesses of the guys that you face are, and not being afraid to attack those guys. Home runs are going to happen here and there, but hitters are really good at getting themselves out."

As Rice improved his overall numbers in the second half of Amarillo's season, the team went on to clinch the Texas League South title in the second half with a 43-26 record. While he did not pitch in the Texas League playoffs, he still got to experience pitching important games in the minor leagues and watching his teammates go win a championship. That's an experience that could translate to the big leagues, as the D-backs look to make postseason success the new standard in the organization.

"First championship that I ever had in my life, it was great to be a part of that team. I think it embodies the culture that we are building here with the Diamondbacks and some of these younger guys. Hopefully, it will translate to us helping this team in the next couple of years win a World Series."

If you would like to catch a fall league to see Jake Rice or any of the Diamondbacks prospects play, check the game schedule here.  Walk up tickets for regular season games are only $12 dollar for adults, $10 for seniors and teens aged 13-17. Kids 12 and under are FREE.  Jewel events are a big more, but seating is first come first serve. Details here.