SARASOTA, Fla. - This is quite a different spring training for Orioles left-hander Zach Britton. This time last year, he was a young pitcher out of options and just trying to make the team in any role.
Now he is in spring camp as the established closer, coming off a big year. The 27-year-old Britton took over as closer in mid-May in 2014 and went 3-2 with a 1.65 ERA and 37 saves in 41 chances.
He was one of three American League closers that recorded 30 or more saves with a save percentage of 90 percent or better.
But there are always things to work on in March and, along those lines, Britton approached the coaching staff about throwing at least one two-inning outing this spring. It looks like he will do that in Sunday's B game at Ed Smith Stadium. A second or third two-inning outing could follow later in camp.
Why does Britton want a longer outing?
"More pitches," he said. "Last couple of outings, I haven't thrown many pitches. So you just want to build up your pitch count right now, which helps you get more comfortable on the mound and get your arm slot there. Those are the things that early in camp, right now, at least this year, I'm starting to figure out it takes a little bit longer when you come into camp at a slower pace.
"I talked to Dom (Chiti) and Dave (Wallace) over the winter about this when they were out in California. Want to do a couple of them. It won't hurt me. If you get too adapted to one inning, that one time they need you to go two, you are not used to doing it. Want to get used to going multiple innings."
This is not to suggest that the Orioles are considering using Britton for more save chances of four outs or more. But if they ever chose to do that, he wants to be ready.
Britton has made three spring appearances so far, pitching three scoreless innings. He looks in midseason form already.
Britton appreciates that the coaches seek player input for their spring training programs. A longer outing will also give Britton time to work on his second-best pitch, what he calls a "slurve." The breaking ball was a good pitch for him in his days as a starter, but last year, he was pounding almost all two-seamers to produce his mid-to-high 90s heavy sinker. But he might need that breaking pitch one day.
"Breaking ball command is something to work on," Britton said. "I've always had a pretty good breaking ball, but last year, I didn't use it much. In save situations, you didn't want to get beat on that pitch. I'd get beat with my fastball if I did. I've thrown it a lot already and just want to get a good feel for it.
"Fastball command is always important also. This is something you want to focus on here now so right from the get-go, from the start of the season, it is not an issue."