By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 18, 2011
PORT CHARLOTTE — Starter James Shields says Jeff Niemann told him he's going back to the "old school days."
The most-recent Niemann would be good enough as it is, considering the 6-foot-9 right-hander has been arguably the Rays most consistent starter the past two seasons. In racking up at least 12 wins and a .600 winning percentage in back-to-back years, he's one of just eight pitchers to complete that feat over the span, joining CC Sabathia, Roy Halladay, Tim Lincecum and Adam Wainwright. If it weren't for a short disabled list stint in August due to a shoulder strain, Niemann's numbers would have been even better.
Niemann, 28, has done so well due to his unique ability to command several offspeed pitches for strikes, while using his size to his advantage in throwing at such a downward angle. And now he's starting to re-incorporate his slider into his repertoire, saying he's more comfortable and confident with the pitch that used to be one of his best. It has added yet another weapon to an already impressive mix of changeup, curveball and split-finger.
"The thing about Jeff is that he's very unusual," manager Joe Maddon said. "It's rare that you find someone that has that many pitches that are that high quality, and throws it with that kind of command."
When Niemann was drafted in the first round (fourth overall) out of Rice in 2004, the slider was a go-to pitch. In 2006, Baseball America said Niemann had the best slider of any pitcher in the Rays organization. But during Niemann's long and adversity-filled journey in the minor leagues, which included shoulder surgery in October 2005, he continued to reinvent himself on the mound, trying to battle his way to the big leagues.
Niemann said it was more through "trial-and-error," but his curveball eventually turned into his best weapon, something he can seemingly throw in any count. "My goodness, when that sucker is working right, he can buckle a lefty with that thing," Maddon said. "I've been behind him watching him throw, and the spin on the ball is pretty phenomenal."
Niemann said with the curveball and split working so well, the slider was put on the backburner. But he's used it more in spring training, and has seen the consistency he has desired.
"Hopefully that can be a pitch for me again," he said.
Shields has seen a lot of growth in Niemann, who earned the Rays' fifth starter spot on the final day of spring training in 2009 and has never looked back. As a rookie, he led the Rays in wins and ERA, impressing with his poise and calmness in difficult moments. And in doing so, be became the first to lead a defending AL champion in those categories since the Yankees' Bob Grim in 1954. Niemann went 12-8 last year, and will likely line up as the team's No. 4 starter this season.
Shields says Niemann always had the talent, but he's become a professional pitcher. The work ethic is great, and he's learned how to set hitters up while understanding and trusting his stuff.
"That's the hardest part of pitching is understanding who you are as a pitcher," Shields said. "He doesn't throw 98 (mph) anymore like he did in college, now he has to pitch. He's developed an unbelievable splitter, his curveball is ridiculous and now he's developing his slider and he's back to the old school days."
Niemann, whose two-week disabled list stint in August was the first of his career, said he's also back to feeling as strong as he did before the injury, when he started the season 6-0 and had one of the better first halves in Rays history.
"I feel great," Niemann said. "Everything is in tune and everything is getting those same reactions and same looks of pitches I did when we were rocking and rolling."
Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.
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