“I saw a lot more free swingers in Kingsport. The guys in this league are much more patient and they’re definitely looking for certain pitches in certain counts,” said Michael Antonini. “I have to work the corners a lot more here and I have to have confidence in all of my pitches if I want to be a success. It’s definitely tougher, but I think I’m ready.”
Making the adjustment easier for the southpaw is his attitude on the field, which the Cyclones coaching staff feel shows them he knows what he has to do on the field in order to help his team win.
“He has a live arm, but he knows what his job is and doesn’t waste time,” said Cyclones manager Edgar Alfonzo. “He’s a good pitcher.”
A realist at heart, Antonini knows he has to rely on changing speeds and hitting corners in order to be a success and plans to do exactly that during his stay in Brooklyn.
“I throw strikes and try and get hitters out within three pitches or less, which just happens to be the main philosophy within the organization” said Antonini. “I throw a fastball, changeup and slider and I can throw all three for strikes and in any count. I really don’t walk too many hitters and it’s good because I don’t like giving up walks. I’d say I’m more of a control pitcher, because I really don’t care about strikeouts, I just want to get out of every inning with as little pitches as possible. Hard throwers usually aren’t like that.”
Throwing just eight innings of shutout ball in his four appearances with the Cyclones so far, Antonini has shown that his slider is much more dangerous than most think. Striking out seven hitters as well in his limited time in Brooklyn, it’s proven to be a more than out-pitch to complement his developing changeup and 90 mph fastball.
“I’ve been throwing my slider for a few years now,” said Antonini, who has stifled the opposition so far in Brooklyn, with them hitting a trifle .154 against him. “It’s a good pitch to master because it just breaks different than the curveball and has more zip than some other breaking pitches. If I’m going to strike someone out, that’s usually the pitch I do it with.”
Also adapting to the bullpen after a college career where he was starter for the most part, Antonini knows things may be tougher with all the depth in the Cyclones bullpen. Nevertheless, he’s ready to make the most of his shot at being a dominant reliever.
“It’s understandable considering all the depth here,” said Antonini. “I was a starter in Kingsport and I’m more of a bullpen guy now, so it is a bit of a transition. I’m still learning how to come out with that reliever mindset and trying to get warm faster out of the bullpen. It’s a big adjustment, but I think I’ll be able to handle it.”
While Antonini knows he can’t control how much playing time he gets, he does feel that his success in Brooklyn has something to do with the energetic crowd jam-packed at Keyspan Park every night. He even admitted to never having the privilege to playing in front of such big crowds before and is eager to make sure he stays on their good side, especially since he doesn’t know how often he’s going to pitch.
“The fan base here is great,” said Antonini. “It’s so much better than it was in Kingsport, where I was before I got here. They’re just so intense. Pitching here really gets your body moving. I’m so happy to be here.”
Taking in the environment at Keyspan would be enough to daunt even the most resilient of minor leaguers. However, Antonini feels that he’s thriving in Brooklyn, despite limited playing time and is listening to the coaching staff in an effort to become a better pitcher. That kind of dedication and persistence may be what eventually sets him apart from the star-filled competition in Keyspan and sends him to the next level.
“Coming here, I just want to come out and do well,” said Antonini. “With all these guys playing the way they are, it was really important to me to come out here and earn their respect. I really like the coaches here too. They have so much information for us, so I always have to make sure I listen to what they say.”
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