Batter Strikes out on a pitch that hits him, a breakdown

Mar 15, 2021 970.1K views 2:00
MLB 2021

What Happened

In a spring training matchup, veteran reliever Darren O'Day of the New York Yankees takes the mound against Kean Walters, a player trying to earn a spot on the roster. O'Day, known for his deceptive sidearm delivery, begins the at-bat by throwing an off-speed pitch that catches the corner for a called strike. Catcher Gary Sanchez then signals for O'Day to show Walters his fastball, but the difference in velocity is minimal and the pitch is ruled a ball. Determined to get Walters out, O'Day decides to go back to his off-speed offering. Walters swings and misses, bringing the count to 1-2. As O'Day rears back to deliver the next pitch, Walters appears ready for a fastball, but instead, the crafty right-hander unleashes a sharp slider that breaks into Walters' thigh, striking him. A stunned Sanchez has to tag Walters out, tapping him apologetically as the batter stands in disbelief, having suffered the double indignity of striking out and being hit by the pitch. Walters' frustration is palpable, as he deals with the pain of the hit-by-pitch and the disappointment of the strikeout. The sequence highlights O'Day's guile and ability to deceive hitters with his varied arsenal, while also showcasing Walters' struggles to time the veteran's pitches. As Walters heads back to the dugout, the Yankees' coaching staff, including the renowned swing doctor Trevor Plouffe, will likely be tasked with helping the young player make the necessary adjustments to his approach and timing to better handle crafty relievers like O'Day in the future. The spring training matchup provides a glimpse into the competitive nature of the game, where veterans like O'Day use their experience and pitch selection to gain an edge over aspiring players like Walters, who must continue to refine their skills to earn a spot on the major league roster.

Full Transcript

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here's darren o'day and this is how he

throws a little sidearm

action he didn't make the team in

college so then he was playing in a

men's league just messing around because