Tick-tock: Doval adjusting to pitch timer in camp

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Under manager Gabe Kapler, the Giants have made “push the pace” one of the three main components of their organizational pitching philosophy. That mantra will take on even greater importance now that Major League Baseball is introducing a pitch timer that will force pitchers to release the ball within 15 seconds with the bases empty and 20 seconds with runners aboard.

Camilo Doval will be among the Giants pitchers most affected by the rule change, as the 25-year-old closer averaged 22.3 seconds between pitches in 2022, which ranked 370th out of 399 qualified Major League pitchers.

Despite the fireballer’s leisurely pace, Kapler said he isn’t particularly worried about Doval’s ability to adjust to the pitch timer this spring.

“One of the reasons pitchers move very slowly between pitches is because they can,” Kapler said. “Now that they can’t, they’re like, ‘OK, I need to prepare.’ It’s not something they’re unable to do. … With Camilo and with others, I think there’s an awareness that there’s a penalty for this now.

“I don’t anticipate it becoming a concern, mostly because I think the most notable characteristic for Camilo is that he has not needed to speed up the time between pitches. Now that it’s something that he has to do -- he knows it -- he’s right on top of it, so for that reason, I don’t have any concerns as of now.”

The adjustment period is well underway for Doval, who threw his first live batting practice session at Scottsdale Stadium on Sunday afternoon. While facing catchers Blake Sabol and Joey Bart, Doval had two large screens stationed to the left of the mound that prominently displayed the pitch timer.

“It was good,” Doval said afterward in Spanish. “You start getting used to it. I think after two or three times, I’ll get the timing down and be ready.”

Doval, who topped out at 104 mph last year, said he doesn't believe his premium velocity will be affected by having to work faster this season, especially since he worked hard over the winter to ensure that his conditioning was in good shape heading into Spring Training. He spent most of the offseason in his native Dominican Republic, where he worked out twice a week at the Giants’ international baseball academy in Boca Chica.

Doval will be surrounded by his countrymen again beginning on March 6, when he travels to Miami to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Doval is already breaking in a custom glove featuring the colors of the Dominican flag and said he’s looking forward to joining a star-studded roster that is widely seen as one of the favorites to win the tournament.

“I’m very proud to represent my country,” Doval said. “It’s an unforgettable experience. It’s going to be incredible.”

Doval, who logged a 2.53 ERA with 27 saves last season, will reunite with former Giants teammates Johnny Cueto and Jarlín García on the Dominican pitching staff, which is headlined by reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara. Doval could be an option to close games for the Dominican squad, but Kapler said the Giants will be keeping a close eye on his usage during the WBC.

“We’ll try to just take account of how he’s used when he’s pitching for the Dominican Republic and how they sort of build him up,” Kapler said. “We’ll make sure that he’s ready for that, of course, but then when we have him back, we’ll use that as the foundation and the baseline. We’re always monitoring. There’s no chance we’re letting him get abused or pushed to the point where his pitching for the [Classic] is detrimental because we had something that we can control that we didn’t.”

Doval said he’s confident Team D.R. will live up to the hype and make a deep run in the tournament next month.

“We’re trying to get that ring,” Doval said, grinning. “That’s what we’re going for.”