Wandy Peralta seems to have no problem adjusting to the pitch clock.
Embracing Major League Baseball’s pace of play initiative, the Yankees reliever closed out the second inning of Thursday’s spring training game against the Pirates by punching out Pittsburgh’s Tucupita Marcano in an at-bat that lasted less than 20 seconds.
Peralta quick-pitched Marcano on his first delivery to bring the count to 0-1, then started his windup with 12 seconds still left on the pitch clock, forcing a swing and miss for strike two. Then, with 11 ticks left on the pitch clock, Peralta froze Marcano to end the inning after a lightning quick plate appearance.
Somewhere, Rob Manfred smiled at how efficiently Peralta worked.
Based on the new rules, Marcano could have taken some more time to prepare himself, as batters have until there are eight seconds left on the pitch clock to be facing the pitcher and prepared to hit.
Peralta wasn’t among the fastest working pitchers in the league last season, taking 16.7 seconds in between pitches with the bases empty, and 21.5 seconds with runners on, per Statcast. But he clearly is getting into the habit of working quickly to prepare for the new season that will bring unprecedented new rule changes.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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