‘Extra swag’ pushes Medina to ace-type outing

OAKLAND — From the time Louis Medina walked into the A’s clubhouse on Tuesday afternoon, catcher Shea Langeliers sensed a singular power about him. As the 2 sat right down to go over scouting experiences, he observed the vibe was particularly unflappable, even for Medina, who carries a powerful perception system every time he takes the mound.

“You could possibly simply really feel it,” Langeliers stated. “There was a distinct mentality from him. He was simply locked in the entire day. I might simply really feel it. Warming up and watching him play catch to the start of the sport, he form of had that additional swag at this time.”

Medina definitely took his lumps within the first half of the season. By means of the primary 12 video games (eight begins) of his Main League profession, the 24-year-old rookie’s 6.34 ERA ranked eighth worst out of 79 American League pitchers with no less than 50 innings pitched.

Nonetheless, each Medina and the A’s remained unfazed by the tough starting. They know what sort of expertise exists inside that electrical proper arm of his. The ability was evident in Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over the Red Sox on the Coliseum, snapping Oakland’s eight-game shedding streak.

Making his first begin again from the All-Star break, Medina’s fastball that maxed out at 100 mph within the first inning set the tone because the right-hander turned in his first scoreless outing as a giant leaguer by limiting Boston’s offense to only three hits and a stroll with six strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings.

Previous to Tuesday’s contest, A’s supervisor Mark Kotsay mentioned the expansion that the membership was trying to see from Medina within the second half. His excessive velocity is a well-documented attribute, however taking that subsequent step requires greater than overpowering stuff.

“Although he throws onerous at 97-98 mph, execution of the breaking ball and mixing of speeds is a part of that success that’s going to make him even higher,” Kotsay stated. “When he understands that and is ready to use his different pitches within the zone, I feel he’s going to take a step ahead. … We’re hopeful that Medina can take that step. It might take longer, however we positively really feel like there’s a route to success for him.”

On Tuesday night time, the often fastball-heavy Medina confirmed that signal of development by distributing all 5 of his pitches about as evenly as he ever has in a single begin. In keeping with Statcast, Medina’s sinker was his most-thrown pitch at solely 27 choices. He additionally threw 21 four-seam fastballs, 15 sliders, 14 curveballs and three changeups. Extra importantly, Medina constantly succeeded in touchdown all 5 pitches within the zone, with 53 of his 80 pitches going for strikes.

“Long run, when he begins doing this constantly, it’s going to be seven, eight innings, even complete-game shutouts,” Langeliers stated. “That’s what he’s able to. He’s particular. He’s going to construct off this. That mentality he had tonight, he’s going to maintain coming again with it, and it’s going to be enjoyable to observe.”

An instance of Medina’s filth was on show within the first at-bat of the sport. Dealing with Jarren Duran, Medina fired a 1-2 fastball at 100 mph that was simply fouled off. One pitch later, Medina got here again with an 84.1 mph curveball that produced an off-balance swing from Duran for strike three.

“It’s far more enjoyable to catch it than it’s to attempt to hit it,” Langeliers stated with fun. “How a lot the curveball strikes and the pace distinction, then coming again with 100 mph, and he’s acquired a four-seam and a sinker, so that you don’t know if it’s going to go straight or going to run in in your palms. It’s simply powerful. … The sky’s the restrict for him.”

Making Tuesday’s outing maybe much more spectacular was the truth that the Purple Sox already had an concept of what to anticipate from Medina, whose ultimate begin earlier than the All-Star break additionally got here towards them at Fenway Park. That day, Medina racked up a career-high 9 strikeouts.

“His arsenal’s form of evolving and altering, and he’s determining the pitcher he desires to be,” Purple Sox left fielder Rob Refsnyder stated of Medina. “He’s acquired actually, actually good things. He saved us off-balance with some fastballs away, fastballs up, sinkers in after which a number of breaking balls.”

Medina’s targets for the second half are team-centric, with a concentrate on doing what he can to assist the crew win extra video games after a depressing first half. Past 2023, although, exists a much bigger objective he’d like to achieve.

“My No. 1 objective is to be a No. 1 pitcher for this crew,” Medina stated. “I’m going to get there in time. It’s all about simply staying affected person and ready for it.”