New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer is ready to speed up the game. While many pitchers and hitters are trying to adapt to the new pitch clock rules, Scherzer was already in midseason form.
The Mets staff's co-ace used PitchCom technology to call his own pitches while working with catcher Omar Narvaez in Sunday's spring training game against the Washington Nationals.
The result was pitches being tossed at a dizzying pace, with little to no concern about the seconds ticking off the pitch clock.
"I could work extremely fast and use that to my advantage," Scherzer told reporters about calling his own pitches using a PitchCom device.
New York Mets fans, as well as fans of other teams, were impressed at Max Scherzer's efforts in calling his own pitches to work at lightning pace.
The new MLB pitch clock, which dictates 15 seconds between pitches with no runners on and 20 seconds between pitches with any bases occupied, has been a point of contention for many hurlers who are used to working at a more leisurely pace. Scherzer, already known for being direct and timely on the mound, is instead taking his pace to a whole new level using available technology.
Scherzer's notion of calling his own pitches came as a revelation to many fans. It also left several wondering if this will become more of the norm. Shaving seconds off of delivery time could help many more pitchers work in a game by not letting the batter get comfortable or try to plot hitting strategy while standing in the box.
Scherzer, who turns 39 during this season, has been one of the top pitchers to watch in MLB since making his debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008. He has also pitched for the Detroit Tigers, Nationals, and Los Angeles Dodgers before coming to the Mets in 2022. He continues to perform at an advanced level despite his older age.
Max Scherzer integral for Mets' contending push in 2023
Max Scherzer sports a 201-102 record over 15 major league seasons. In 2023, he is once again paired with former Tigers teammate Justin Verlander to form a powerful 1-2 combination at the front of the Mets' pitching staff. In 2022, he went 11-5 with a 2.29 ERA, 0.0908 WHIP and 173 strikeouts in 23 starts.