New #STLCards pitcher Matt Belisle taking in the action. #SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/CgbIjuD6c5
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) February 20, 2015
Matt Belisle was thrilled when he signed with the Cardinals back in early December. Now, just a few days into Spring Training, the 11-year veteran is already benefiting from the help of ace Adam Wainwright, who helped point out some inconsistencies in his delivery. Brian Stull of St. Louis Baseball Weekly has more:
With a couple of small modifications to his delivery this off-season, Belisle asked to be watched during his bullpen session on Sunday. Adam Wainwright happily obliged and quickly pointed out some inconsistencies.
“I know Waino’s been good at that and he was glad to help,” said Matt. “I wasn’t doing anything too major, even if it’s really slight I’m going to ask people to check things all year because it’s not something you do now and assume it’s good the rest of the way.”
…“You bet,” answered Belisle on leaving a game against the Cardinals with the feeling the batters had picked up on his stuff.
Belisle, 34, emerged for the Rockies as a reliable option back in 2010 and has posted a 3.75 ERA over the last five seasons for the team. He didn’t enjoy much success in the 2014 season, though, as he posted a 4.87 ERA with his worst strikeout and walk rates in years. The Cardinals are obviously hoping the veteran still has something left in the tank, and Belisle certainly seems to have the right attitude headed into the 2015 season (via Stull’s article):
I can get better at looking at in others and maybe I can get great at watching an opponent to help a hitter. Anything to help win a ballgame. And if I’m not doing my job with it, I’m going to help lose a ballgame. I love it. I love everything about what’s going on here.”
Read Stull’s full article from St. Louis Baseball Weekly.
Twitter post and image from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Feature image used under Creative Commons from Jon Konrath. Cropped from original. Creative Commons License.
