Putz is fine focusing on pitching, not hitting

With all of the time and resources the Diamondbacks have
to improve during spring training, J.J. Putz expressed he
has no desire to work on his hitting skills. Fortunately,
quality bat handling isn’t a necessity for closers.

“Back in high school my first couple years I was a catcher
on the varsity team, and as painful as it is to admit
this, they DH’d for the catcher on our team and the
pitcher got to hit,” Putz told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug
and Wolf. “That’s how bad I was. I can bunt, I will tell
you that.”

Putz’s debut with Arizona last season was just what the
ball club needed to strengthen its bullpen, posting a 2.17
ERA for the season with 45 saves. With 42 days until
Opening Day, Putz is slowly building up his stamina by
throwing roughly 25 pitches a day.

“It doesn’t matter how much training you do in the
offseason, you can’t simulate standing around in cleats
for two to three hours a day,” Putz said. “Unless you go
in your backyard and then people are going to wonder
what’s wrong with you.”

While he’s focusing on pitching, Putz is making sure that
every little detail is perfect because manager Kirk Gibson
won’t miss any flaw.

“He’s intense and he expects perfection,” Putz said. “For
the most part so far in this camp, I know it’s early, but
guys have been getting in, getting their work done. He’s a
stickler on the fine points, on the fundamentals and guys
are really executing right now, so he really doesn’t have
a whole lot to be upset about.”

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