But slinging the ball from the side turbo-charged his fastball, its velocity rising steadily, year by year, from 92-94 mph to 95-96 and even touching 100. 20, a move that protected him from the Rule 5 draft, where he surely would have been selected by another team.īefore altering his delivery, Lawrence was throwing consistently at 85-86 mph and topping out at 90 mph. He was named an Arizona Fall League “rising star” last year and was added to Colorado’s 40-man roster Nov. At high-A Lancaster last season, he finished with a 2.65 ERA over 54⅓ innings, striking out 62 but walking 27.
He put up a 1.65 ERA in 16 games at Asheville last season before being shut down in May because of a strained lat muscle. But as he perfected his new technique, his control improved, his velocity continued to rise and results emerged. He struggled early in the minors, posting a 7.18 ERA in 26 relief appearance at low-A Asheville in 2016. There are still some things to do as far as development, but you cannot deny the gift of that velocity, and the gift of being able to have velocity from that angle.” “He’s come on the scene here in the last year and a half, and with a chance to make some things happen in the future,” manager Bud Black said. “I was trying to show them what I’ve got.” “It was exciting to be the first game of spring and be able to pitch in front of the (big-league) coaching staff,” Lawrence said. Lawrence struck out two in his perfect ninth inning, ending the game by whiffing Arizona’s Kevin Cron looking at an 85 mph changeup. Saturday, his fastball reached 98 mph, waking up the sparse Cactus League crowd when the ball buried in the catcher’s mitt with an explosive pop. Lawrence, 24, pitches with an aggressive sidearm delivery that menaces right-handed batters. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-hander is on the fast track and bears watching during this spring training. Those who stuck around witnessed a pitcher with a unique style, raw heat and a promising future. The crowd at chilly Salt River Fields had thinned out considerably by the time Justin Lawrence took the mound in the ninth inning Saturday. Digital Replica Edition Home Page Close Menu
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