TEMPE, Ariz. — Ryan Zeferjahn is living proof of the adage that a radar gun can get you into pro ball, but it can’t get you to the major leagues.
An Angels right-handed reliever, Zeferjahn was a third-round pick in 2019, largely because of a 101-mph fastball, but his career had stalled in the minors until he finally discovered how effective his other pitches could be.
“I was trying to throw 101, and it was leading to walks,” Zeferjahn said. “Hitters are geared up for 100 now. That’s the normal now. Once I learned that I don’t have to throw 101 to show off, or that it’s the only way I’m going to get (to the majors), I’m going to get outs with what I’m best at.
“That’s being in the zone with my cutter and sweeper. Then I have the fastball in my back pocket. That’s the learning and understanding that helped me.”
A product of the University of Kansas, Zeferjahn, 27, had a 5.25 ERA and 4.7 walks per nine innings during his first three minor-league seasons after he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox. He never pitched above Double-A.
Last season, however, was a breakthrough for him in the Boston system. The Red Sox helped him make some changes with his cutter and sweeper last spring, and that was the first step.
The Angels got him as part of the Luis Garcia trade at the deadline. After Zeferjahn got to the Angels, coaches there helped improve his fastball command.
“Both organizations have done a really good job of helping me with my pitches,” Zeferjahn said.
Zeferjahn pitched five games at Triple-A, striking out eight and walking one in 7⅔ innings, and that earned him a spot in the big leagues.
Zeferjahn pitched 12 games in the majors, posting a 2.12 ERA in 17 innings. He struck out 18 and walked six.
Now, Zeferjahn views his fastball as his third-best pitch, and the cutter is the one that is the most important.
“It’s a good in-zone pitch,” Zeferjahn said. “Just get it in there. I’m not trying to go for the strikeouts. When that time comes, you can go for it. But it was like getting early outs, being able to throw multiple innings.
“Here, that’s kind of a big thing. They like quick innings. If I have quick innings, I can go out there again and get three more outs. And I think that mindset just kind of changed. And you know, that helped me out big time.”
So far this spring, Zeferjahn has further cemented his role in the big-league bullpen. He hasn’t allowed a run in 5⅔ innings, with six strikeouts.
“Live arm,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “Got good stuff. Hard to center up. The only one thing I want him to continue to do is not take what he has on his shoulder for granted. Continue to try to perfect it the best that you can get. He’s young. He’s still got ceiling, and I don’t want him to think he has reached the ceiling. Because if he feels like he has reached his ceiling, then he’s going to be in trouble.”
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