By George Bremer
PENDLETON —
Brock Huntzinger got a good look at his future shortly after arriving in Fort Myers, Fla., in early February.
The former Pendleton Heights star was working out on the back fields at the Boston Red Sox’s spring training complex when he saw a familiar face.
Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester had reported early and was working at a feverish pace. A 16-game winner last year, Lester was pushing himself as hard as the players in the low minors.
The sight was an eye-opener for Huntzinger, a third-round pick by the Red Sox in 2007 out of Pendleton Heights.
“It’s cool to see how these guys operate and go about their business,” Huntzinger said during a recent telephone interview.
One Red Sox scouting Web site projects Huntzinger to join Lester in Boston by 2012.
The hard-throwing right-hander has won seven of his first 11 pro decisions and posted a 3.09 ERA. He split last year between two Class A teams in the Red Sox organization.
Huntzinger was 5-0 with a 0.64 ERA in eight starts at lower level Lowell before finishing the season 2-3 with a 7.09 ERA at High-A Greenville. He threw 68 2/3 innings between the two stops and said fatigue was a factor late in the season.
“I felt really good about (the season),” Huntzinger said. “But I was scuffling a little towards the end. I threw a lot of innings, and I was getting tired toward the end. It’s a grind.”
Huntzinger, who will turn 21 in July, threw a 95-mph fastball at Pendleton Heights. His velocity has dipped to around 92 as a pro, but that’s been attributed to a change in his mechanics. He has a slider that acts more like a slurve high in the zone, and he’s been mastering a changeup since he was drafted.
Command is an issue, as it is for most young pitchers, but his early performances have sent expectations soaring.
For his part, Huntzinger feels better equipped entering his second full professional season.
“You kinda know what to expect and how to get yourself ready to compete,” he said. “Last year, I really didn’t have any idea how things operated.”
Huntzinger said he expects to start the season back at Greenville, a city he enjoyed during his six starts with the Drive last year.
“I loved it,” he said. “It was awesome. Their field has the exact same dimensions as Fenway (Park, in Boston). I loved the town. It was big enough, but it wasn’t dirty and grimy.”
Originally Published At:
http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/sports/local_story_075231317.html
http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/sports/local_story_075231317.html
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