The catching conversation with Connor Wong
WORCESTER - On the surface, Lucas Giolito's outing at Polar Park seemed like a step back. The pitcher, did after, all do something he had only managed three other times in his big league career, walking six batters.
But after the 4 2/3-inning, 85-pitch outing against the Syracuse Mets, in which Giolito allowed three runs and three hits, the righty offered a more detailed perspective.
"The last few innings I kind of went with what was more comfortable. Early on I was trying to really hone in on some mechanical changes that led to some higher velos but the feel for the strike zone was kind of loss," Giolito said. "The last few innings, just to get through it, it was like, 'OK, hone back in on the zone and use my pitches through the zone and get through it'."
Giolito ultimately retired the last six batters he faced, striking out highly-regarded Mets prospect Drew Gilbert in the process.
Giolito's fastball topped out at 95 mph early in his outing before settling in the low 90's in his final frame. He would ultimately throw his changeup 33 times, three more than the fastball.
So, what did the starter think of those alterations implemented heading into what his fifth rehab outing?
"It was taking root in the sense that I felt more powerful early in the game, but release point and timing and everything lacked so there were a lot of balls," Giolito noted.
The plan heading into Friday was for this to be Giolito's final minor-league appearance before joining the Red Sox' rotation in Toronto.
"Pretty good," he said when asked about how he was feeling now that he is on the cusp of pitching in the big leagues. "I'm excited to get back to competing and getting those good juices flowing from that aspect. I have been looking forward to that."