Sports · Baseball · 5 hrs ago
Angels rookie Samy Natera credits Andrés Muñoz with changing his approach
Angels rookie Samy Natera says Andrés Muñoz helped shape his pitching mindset while they played for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
Natera, a left-handed pitcher from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, made his major-league debut in June and appeared in 28 games for Los Angeles.
He recorded a 3.13 ERA and struck out 36.6% of batters over 31⅔ innings.
Before reaching the majors, Natera had struggled with walks in the minor leagues, but his walk rate fell to 9.9% with the Angels.
He said Muñoz, a Seattle Mariners closer, encouraged him to trust his fastball and challenge hitters in the strike zone.
Natera credits that confidence with helping him attack hitters and focus on helping his team win.
The account gives no details about what Natera or the Angels will do next.
Angels rookie Samy Natera says advice from Andrés Muñoz helped him trust his pitches and change his approach.
Natera said Muñoz encouraged him to think of pitching as “my stuff against yours.”
After making his MLB debut in early June, Natera recorded a 3.13 ERA and a 36.6% strikeout rate for the Angels.
His walk rate in the majors was 9.9%, compared with 14.1% in Triple-A earlier in the season.
Natera said shifting his focus from proving himself to helping the team win also helped him attack hitters.
- Who
- Angels rookie Samy Natera says Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz influenced his approach.
- What
- Natera says conversations and playing catch with Muñoz helped him trust his pitches and throw them in the strike zone.
- When
- Natera discussed the change in an interview in mid-September; he made his MLB debut in early June.
- Where
- Natera played for the Los Angeles Angels and represented Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
- Why
- Natera said Muñoz’s thinking and comments about his fastball gave him confidence, while focusing on winning helped him attack hitters.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Natera played for Mexico and spoke with Andrés Muñoz, learning how he approached pitching.
Natera made his MLB debut with the Angels.
Natera discussed how his mindset and confidence had changed.
Natera made 28 appearances for the Angels, recording a 3.13 ERA and a 36.6% strikeout rate.
- Angels appearances
- 28
- Innings pitched
- 31⅔
- ERA
- 3.13
- Strikeout rate
- 36.6%
- Major-league walk rate
- 9.9%
What people are saying
I talked to Andrés Muñoz and learned the way he thinks out there
It’s pretty much, ’my stuff against yours.’
My mindset shifted to just thinking about helping the team win, and that really made me attack hitters.
The mental side is probably the biggest part of what changed for me.