Kinley ahead of curve against spring hitters with diverse pitch mix?

SCOTTSDALE Ariz. -- Rockies right-hander Tyler Kinley has a different look this spring. It goes beyond a bushier beard.

Trying to return to the effectiveness he showed before undergoing right elbow flexor tendon surgery in 2022, after a long period of regaining consistent health, Kinley is pitching like a new man.

The slider that helped Kinley log a 0.75 ERA in 25 appearances in ‘22 before the injury is still there. But after throwing it on nearly 63 percent of his pitches last season, Kinley has logged four scoreless and hitless innings, while notching six strikeouts and yielding one walk this spring with a diverse mix that includes new wrinkles.

Kinley has used the fastball 37.3 percent of the time and dropped his slider frequency to 29.4 percent this spring. The featured offering is a curveball -- barely used in the past -- that he’s throwing at a clip of 21.6 percent, with eye-catching effectiveness. And he’s using his changeup 11.8 percent of the time. His two-seam sinking fastball that he used for eight pitches last year has stayed in his pocket.

The 34-year-old Kinley has the same face, but hitters are going to have to deal with a new man behind it.

“It’s so refreshing,” Kinley said. “You feel empowered. You feel like this is new. They haven’t seen this yet, so you’re eager to use it, put it to the test. So far it’s been good.”

Kinley finished last season with a 6.19 ERA in 67 appearances, but the route to that number was odd. It took until the midsummer months for him to feel confident in his health, and that’s when Kinley had his best run. But the beginning was slow, and he was shut down in September to start preparation for 2025.

An old preparation routine led to a new curveball strategy.

“I use a curveball to train my slider every day, but just haven’t really brought it to the mound,” Kinley said. But I ended up throwing it quite a few times and got some feedback where I was like, ‘This might be a weapon, as well.’”

Rockies manager Bud Black welcomes Kinley’s new trick.

“All pitchers are tinkering, wanting to make adjustments, wanting to expand their game, and we’re seeing it really blossom with Tyler,” Black said.

How far can Kinley take it? The Rockies are looking at rookie Seth Halvorsen and second-year man Victor Vodnik for the closer role. But Kinley had a share of it last season and could prove to be an option. He believes his mix will work at any point of the game.

“Getting caught up in competitions or roles can distract you from the daily focus,” Kinley said. “I’m really trying to make sure I’m focused on today’s task, today’s goal, dominate that and be ready for tomorrow.”

Goals met

Right-hander Ryan Feltner passed the test of adjusting on the fly as he struck out five across 3 2/3 innings in the Rockies’ 8-1 loss to the Mariners on Sunday afternoon. In Spring Training, there isn’t much pregame scouting since the pitcher isn’t clear who will be playing, so it’s an exercise in in-game reading.

“Just be in the zone and attack guys,” Feltner said. “I knew I was going to be throwing more pitches, so this was closer to a normal start in terms of that. Seeing hitters twice opens different parts of my game plan.”

The only issue was fatigue the second time through the order. Feltner walked his final three batters.

“Next time, when I’m up around the 60-pitch mark, hopefully I’m not tired,” Feltner said.

Black said, “I like the stuff, for sure -- I love the fastball. It had life, too. Big breaking balls, good changeup. It thought his pitches were on point.”

Gaining condition

Veteran lefty Scott Alexander signed with the Rockies after the start of camp. After Sunday’s scoreless inning against the Mariners, Black said, “He’s still getting into pitching shape. Velocity ticked up and he got his ground balls. We’re still getting to know him, but like when we see the ball sinking.”

Strike-throwing is a plus

Righty Zach Agnos, ranked as the club’s No. 28 prospect by MLB Pipeline, gave up a J.P. Crawford home run on Sunday and has yielded three in the past two games, but Black noted Agnos’ workable talents.

“He has an intent every pitch to throw a strike with it,” Black said. “He’s got a 94 mph fastball, good feel for a change and he’s got a breaking ball in there. So he’s doing fine for a young guy in his first big league camp. The thing that we like is the aggressive nature.”

Progress

Left-hander Austin Gomber threw a bullpen session on Sunday -- his first since being scratched from a March 2 start.

“To be ready the first time through the rotation, I don’t see why not,” Gomber said. “Typically, the first time through, we’re on a pitch count, anyway.”