ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs’ Brent Strom, Tommy Henry work to improve rookie’s breaking stuff

Aug 7, 2022, 10:45 AM

Tommy Henry #47 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Cleveland Guardians in his major le...

Tommy Henry #47 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Cleveland Guardians in his major league debut during the first inning at Progressive Field on August 03, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks pitching coach Brent Strom worked with rookie Tommy Henry in the bullpen Saturday, and the southpaw walked away with improved spin rate on his breaking balls.

Strom visited with reporters after the session, and said he noticed Henry gripped his slider and curveball on his fingertips.

“Really good breaking ball pitchers that I’ve had a chance to be around … they hold the ball a lot deeper in their hand,” Strom said.

Strom had Henry grip the ball much deeper in his left hand, and they saw results.

The coach said TrackMan data disclosed Henry’s spin rate went up after the change, and he felt more power with the two pitches.

Henry made his MLB debut Wednesday in Cleveland. The 23-year-old had a 3.83 ERA in 20 starts with Triple-A Reno this year and is Arizona’s No. 12 prospect on MLB Pipeline.

The southpaw attacked primarily with his fastball but went to the slider as his primary offspeed pitch.

Henry handled himself with four innings of one-run ball before surrendering a three-run home run in the fifth.

Strom liked Henry’s composure during his debut, an outing in which he finished with four runs in five innings. But, Strom noticed some of his pitches “didn’t have the bite” he expected. Henry got 15 swings on sliders but only two whiffs.

“I just decided to make a jump at it and see if it worked,” Strom said. “He seems to like it. All you can do is try and if it doesn’t work, then you go to a different thing. But he seemed to like it today. So that’s the kind of stuff that I live for, really, to see these kids improve.”

Strom noted that Henry is not the only D-backs arm who altered a grip recently.

The veteran coach had Zac Gallen loosen his changeup grip since the pitch was not getting hitters on their front foot as much as it should have. Strom called it a page out of Greg Maddux’s book.

“As the season goes on, you’re always looking to tweak things, very rarely do you just stay the course,” Strom said.

Strom noted that the Guardians provided a challenge for Henry to make his debut as a team with speed that puts the ball in play.

He tried to hype Henry up pregame by playing the University of Michigan’s, where the rookie went to college, fight song.

Henry’s next crack is scheduled on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who visit the D-backs Monday-Thursday.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Brandon Pfaadt...

Alex Weiner

D-backs’ Brandon Pfaadt and Corbin Carroll deliver vs. White Sox, magic number drops to 3

Rookies Brandon Pfaadt and Corbin Carroll led the D-backs to a victory over the White Sox on Wednesday, dropping Arizona's magic number.

16 hours ago

Longtime Arizona Diamondbacks radio announcer Greg Schulte smiles...

Arizona Sports

Touch ‘Em All: Special show to honor Diamondbacks play-by-play voice Greg Schulte

Arizona Sports will hold a special show Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. to honor Diamondbacks play-by-play announcer Greg Schulte.

20 hours ago

Zach Davies, Arizona Diamondbacks...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks designate Zach Davies for assignment, recall Justin Martinez

Veteran pitcher Zach Davies was designated for assignment Wednesday for the Arizona Diamondbacks with five games left in the season.

20 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker...

Arizona Sports

Christian Walker shows staying power as D-backs push for 2023 playoffs

Christian Walker became the 10th Arizona Diamondbacks player to surpass 100 RBIs in a single season in a key win over the Chicago White Sox.

22 hours ago

Ketel Marte...

Arizona Sports

NL Wild Card standings: Diamondbacks fight for postseason berth

The Arizona Diamondbacks are in a playoff hunt for the first time in years. After a cold July and early August, they are back in the race.

1 day ago

Ketel Marte...

Alex Weiner

D-backs score 14 unanswered runs to beat White Sox, pick up game on Cubs

The Arizona Diamondbacks beat the White Sox, and the Cubs lost to the Braves with the NL Wild Card chase plowing toward the finish line.

1 day ago

D-backs’ Brent Strom, Tommy Henry work to improve rookie’s breaking stuff