Q&A with New D-backs Pitcher Andrew Saalfrank

Andrew Saalfrank is set to make his MLB debut after being called up by the D-backs.

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a roster move on Labor Day,  calling up left hand reliever Andrew Saalfrank. To make room on the roster Slade Cecconi was optioned to Triple-A Reno. At the same time the team needed to move Dominic Fletcher , (fractured index finger) to the 60 day IL to make room on the 40-man roster.  

Saalfrank had been dominating in Reno for the past two months. He entered the season at Amarillo in Double-A. However, after 21 games in a hitter's park, he had a 2.70 ERA in 33.1 innings with 23 hits and 20 walks to 45 strikeouts. That was enough to move him to Reno where he continued to shine despite the extreme hitter-friendly environment in the Pacific Coast League.

Saalfrank appeared in 23 games at Reno, had a 4-2 record with a 2.93 ERA over 30.2 innings, and gave up 22 hits, 15 walks, and 48 strikeouts. He throws a 2-seam fastball/sinker and a breaking ball/curveball that have kept hitters off balance. Saalfrank is 25 years old and was initially drafted by the D-backs in 2019 in the sixth round with the 182nd overall pick. He went to college at Indiana University and is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana. While the walks might be concerning, that comes with the territory of pitching in high-altitude environments and his lethal 13.1 K/9 over two levels is excellent. In fact, since August 1st, he's been on a different level.

He appeared in 12 games and pitched 15.2 innings. Over those innings, he struck out an eye-popping 25 batters and walked just five with eight hits allowed. That was good enough for a 1.15 ERA and a .148 batting average allowed. He proved to the D-backs and GM Mike Hazen that he was ready for the challenge of MLB hitters. Below is a transcript of a Q&A with the newest left-handed pitcher and rookie for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

How it feels to be called up:

"It feels good, so obviously, everything you work for growing up as a kid, finally being able to say that you made it is pretty surreal. Every time I think about it, the heart just kind of starts pounding a little bit. But hopefully, go out there and calm the nerves a little bit and help the team win some games."

How he was told he was called up:

"I actually was about to leave to go to the field for our game and making a sandwich getting ready to leave and the girlfriend said the phone was ringing and she said it was [Manager Blake] Lalli calling. And I knew it was either getting cut or going up and I'd like to think I wasn't getting cut at the time. Definitely the best call I've had in a while. I honestly don't know if I've ever received a phone call from Lalli previous to that so it was a pretty good feeling as soon as you see the name pop up on the screen. The heart starts racing a little bit"

What was working in Triple-A and Double-A

"I think for me, it's just about getting ahead of guys, good breaking ball so I can get to use that to try and put guys away. Usually, that's what's working. My worst outings are whenever I'm falling behind trying to fight back in counts. For me, just the importance of getting ahead and kind of controlling the game a little more."

Adjustments he's made throughout the season:

"The guys are really good every level you get, every level you go up, there's a lot more discipline, a lot more approach, a lot more ability to hit with two strikes. So, it's just a little bit different of a game, but at the same time, it's obviously the same exact thing. So, for me, just really emphasizing getting ahead of guys. You can't get away with it as much in Reno as you kind of could in Amarillo."

Off-speed pitch and how it's improved over the years:

 "For me, just throwing a breaking ball for a strike, especially early in the count. Like I said, I keep coming back to getting ahead and kind of controlling the count. For me, it's two pitches, a sinker and I call it a curveball but it registers as a slider. Unfortunately, curveball sounds a little bit cooler. Usually early in the count, maybe a little less velo on it and a little bit more control. And then a little bit harder, a little bit more break later in the count."

"It's kind of always been there as far as like the stuff goes, but just learning how to maneuver it and place it a little better. Kind of where you want to throw the ball versus just kind of ripping it and hoping it goes to the spot. Having a little bit more touch on that."