Wayne to pitch in Winter League

November 29, 200322 yr

11/18/2003 10:34 AM ET

Wayne to pitch in Winter League

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

MIAMI -- While statistics sometimes can be misleading for pitchers, mechanics often tell the true story.

Right-handed pitcher Justin Wayne struggled in Triple-A Albuquerque last season in part because he lost command of his two-seam fastball (or sinker). Regaining his form is an offseason priority.

Wayne's minor league numbers were a bit deceiving. If you looked solely at wins and losses, he was a disappointing 4-12. But his ERA was a respectable 4.24, pitching in the high New Mexico altitude. He had several quality outings with little to show for it.

In 136 innings, opponents hit .266 against him. Of the 81 runs he allowed, 64 were earned. He recorded 82 strikeouts and 40 walks.

Wayne is in the process of fine-tuning his mechanics, and in December he will travel to Puerto Rico to take part in some Winter League games.

"We're trying to get his sinker back," said Marlins pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal.

On Tuesday, Rosenthal watched Wayne throw in a bullpen session at the Marlins' complex in Jupiter, Fla.

"He has been throwing bullpens the last few weeks," said Rosenthal. "We'll work with his two-seam fastball."

Obtained in 2002 from Montreal as part of the Cliff Floyd trade, Wayne, a former first-round pick out of Stanford, has been highly regarded.

The right-hander is not overpowering, with a fastball in the 88- to 90-mph range. When he is on, he has a quality curveball. Rosenthal would like to see him get his sinker working again, giving hitters something else to handle.

Wayne has had limited Major League experience.

Called upon to make two starts for the Marlins in 2003, the right-hander had his troubles. He was 0-2 (11.81) in two starts, giving up seven runs in 5 1/3 innings, with one strikeout and five walks.

In 2002 he showed some promise as a September callup. In five starts he was 2-3 (5.32), with 16 strikeouts and 13 walks.

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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