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Brett Gerritse was drafted by the Yankees in the 12th round of the 2009 MLB Draft and has spent parts of the last three seasons with Low-A Charleston. In 2013, the 22-year-old righty has increased his strikeout rate to 10.3 batters per nine innings. He has spent time as both a reliever and a starter, mostly in 2012, but appears to be stay in the bullpen this year. I briefly spoke to him about pitching and his 2013 season.
What is the strongest part of your game?
My competitiveness on the mound and drive to win.
What pitches do you throw and what is your best pitch?
I throw a four-seam fastball, a two-seam fastball, a cut fastball, a changeup and a curveball. My fastball is the best.
What have you adjusted this season to up your strikeout rate?
The quality of all my pitches have been much better, especially the changeup.
What are you looking to improve the most this season?
Trying to develop all my pitches and being more consistent in my execution of each pitch.
What is the hardest part about being a pitcher?
The work between outings is the hardest part; the day in and day out work that gets you ready for your next outing.
What is the biggest difference between starting and relieving?
Time between outings is the biggest difference other than that, pitching is pitching whether it's in the first or eighth inning.
Follow Brett as he tries to work his way up the Yankees system and follow him on Twitter @brettgerritse
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