Blue Jays starter Josh Johnson uses a 17-5 rout of the New York Yankees in Dunedin yesterday as a chance to work on his new stuff. (CRAIG ROBERTSON/Toronto Sun)
DUNEDIN, FLA. - You’d think a starter with the quality of Josh Johnson would be happy enough with the stuff he has.
After all, it’s been good enough for Johnson to establish a 56-37 record with a 3.15 ERA in his seven-plus the big-league seasons.
Pitchers, though, are always looking to add to their arsenal and in Johnson’s case, it’s the addition of a two-seam sinking fastball that will compliment his four-seamer and force the hitter to look for a pitch on a different plane.
“I didn’t throw that many today,” Johnson said. “I probably threw four or five. (Kevin) Youkilis hit one out so I bagged it for a little bit but then I ended up going back to it a couple of times. My fastball location was pretty good overall.”
He intends to keep working on it.
“Absolutely,” he said.
So far, pitching coach Pete Walker likes what he sees in the pitch.
“I think he’s used it in the past but nothing on a consistent basis,” Walker said of the two-seam fastball that runs down and in to right-handers.
