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Rays Pitcher Finds That Change Is Good

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By CARTER GADDIS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 2, 2008

Updated: 05/02/2008 03:53 pm

As a Rays minor leaguer in 2002, right-hander James Shields underwent shoulder surgery that robbed him of velocity on his fastball. If ever he was to realize his dream of pitching in the major leagues, he'd have to make a change.

So, he began to tinker with different grips in his backyard with his older brother. By 2004, the pitch Shields developed – his changeup – had him on a path to the top of Tampa Bay's starting rotation.

After going 12-8 with a 3.85 ERA, 184 strikeouts and only 36 walks in 215 innings last season, Shields began this year as the Rays' Opening Day starter and, along with Scott Kazmir, one of the team's two acknowledged aces.

The pitch that got him here, what he calls his "half-circle" changeup, has become one of the most effective off-speed pitches in the majors. This year, he's added a cut fastball and a sinking, two-seam fastball to his repertoire in order to build on last year's success.

But it all starts with the changeup. His career so far is vivid proof of the maxim, change is good.

During the Rays' recent visit to Baltimore, Shields described the origin of his best pitch, how he throws it and when he uses it for this exclusive TBO.com presentation.

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