FORT MYERS, Fla. – Among those in attendance on Tuesday for Rick Porcello's controlled minor league outing was former Red Sox sinkerballer Derek Lowe. The two met at Winter Weekend, giving Lowe the chance to pass on what he learned over a 17-year career.
"It's been good, kind of keeps you involved, but not that much involved," Lowe told WEEI.com. "It's fun. I learned a lot from guys that came before me, learning how to throw sinkers. We've talked about grips and where to stand."
Lowe has spent time working with Porcello on other pitches – they spoke for 10 minutes about his curveball – but his experience with the sinker is most relevant. He specifically has insight into helping Porcello get consistent depth on the pitch. Last year, Porcello's sinker was often flat, instead acting more like a two-seamer.
"Well, you're always going to have that," Lowe said. "I think a lot of it's a grip thing. Everyone's different. I threw completely different than he did. I threw way across my body, he throws a little bit across his body. But the big thing is kind of how you hold it. And understanding why pitches go sideways. The ones that you can see are the worst ones, the ones that you can't see are the best ones. So I think he's getting more and more confident."
Lowe plans to continue advising the 2016 Cy Young Award winner because he considers Porcello coachable.
"It's hard. It's hard to make changes," Lowe said. "And I think the fun thing for me is he's been very receptive to conversation. He's a very smart guy, so you have to explain why. Which is good. You don't want someone just to say, 'OK, I'll do it,' and not really have questions. It's been a really good relationship."
Porcello returned the compliment.
"He's been definitely very helpful," Porcello said. "And I'm grateful that he takes the time out of his day to come here and watch me throw and stuff. And I think, with him and (Red Sox pitching coach) Dana (LeVangie) and being to lean on both of them so far in camp has been a huge help.
"We basically just talk about some simple stuff, as far as the sinker and (Lowe's) mindset and things like that. And then combine that with everything that I've been working on with Dana and so far I feel like we're on a pretty good track."