Johan Oviedo’s Recent Struggles Boil Down to One Thing (+)
PITTSBURGH — Johan Oviedo’s season was off to a soaring start through his first four starts of the year for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In those four games, Oviedo posted a 2-1 record with a 2.22 ERA, 20 hits, eight walks and 25 strikeouts across 24.1 innings.
A big reason for the success of the Pirates’ right-hander was his ability to execute his pitches, particularly his off-speed offerings, but there’s more to it than that.
Oviedo consistently relied on his slider to get him through his outings. When his slider is on, so is Oviedo. His slider is sharp and if he’s able to locate it, good luck to anyone trying to hit it.
The problem for Oviedo in his last couple starts? His slider hasn’t been there, and neither have the results.
Oviedo’s struggles of late carried over into his start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday in the Pirates’ 8-2 loss.
Oviedo was tagged for seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in only five innings. He walked just as many batters (three) as he struck out.
“It was just execution. The slider looked like it ran away from his arm side a little bit. The slider didn’t have the same spin it’s had over the good outings,” manager Derek Shelton said.
Over his last two starts, Oviedo has been tagged for 13 earned runs and 19 hits in only 7.1 innings — good for an ERA of 15.96.
“We’ve seen him, even the start he had in Boston he had the good slider. The last two starts the slider’s gotten away from him a little bit. We need to make an adjustment and get it back working with the depth that we saw over the course of the first three or four starts,” Shelton said.
It’s apparent what Shelton said is true. The Pirates’ big-right hander is also aware of it.
The struggles really extend even a bit further than his last two starts, though the last two in particular of been especially under par.
“My execution of my slider. My last three games, I haven’t executed my slider the way I wanted to. That’s my main thing to keep working on,” he said.
While there needs to be a mechanical adjustment that needs to be made, it might not be that easy.
Yogi Berra once said, “Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.” While comical, the quote is true. So much of success or failure in the game is dictated by a player’s mental toughness — especially in the tougher situations.
Oviedo’s psyche will be put to the test as he prepares for his next turn in the rotation. He needs to regain his confidence in his slider. If he is able to that, along with any necessary mechanical adjustments, it could take him a long way.
“It’s still early. We’ve only played a month. I’m trying not to get frustrated or think too much about what’s going on right now. There are still a lot of games left. I’m trying to keep my mind straight, even if things aren’t going right for me. I’m trying to keep a good vibe so we can move it forward from where we’re at right now.”