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| Photo credit: Kelly O Connor |
Keith Couch, a 24-yard old pitching prospect for the Boston Red Sox is putting himself on the national scene for his increasingly dominant performances on the mound. He is coming off a tremendous season in which he compiled a record of 11-3 with a 3.47 ERA. He threw 129 innings, walked only 3.0/9 IP and struck out 6.4/9 IP. Despite the Red Sox being loaded with pitching at the upper levels, and especially coming off a World Series title, there is always a need for big league ready pitching. One injury by a member of the rotation could cause an immediate need. Look for Couch to be on the radar for a promotion at some point in 2014.
1) What do you feel like you did well in 2013?
I feel like I was able to establish my 2 seam fast ball for strikes more and was able to control the pitch with the break it has that allowed me to just go after guys and have a low pitch count. Also the development of my change up has become huge as well.
2) Your former teammate at Adelphi, Bobby Lanigan, was a teammate of yours in Double-A this season. What was that like?
It was great having Bobby around hes a great team guy plus a familiar face from home he came right in contributed and me the clubhouse looser.
3) Do you notice a difference with the quality of opponents in the Arizona Fall League?
The hitters here in the AFL are more consistent. I would say they hit mistakes better and balls left up in the zone better but they still gotta hit your pitch.
4) Is it tough when the minor league year ends in September and then the AFL begins a month later?
Yeah it is very difficult because we shut down for a month then we get to this league and we gotta ramp it back up. For hitters it’s easy to keep swinging but as a pitcher once you break your routine of throwin and take time off its tough to get back to 100%.
5) What are your hopes for 2014? Do you think you can see the big leagues? Do you think the Red Sox winning the WS has an effect on that?
I have no control on when I get to the big leagues. Hopefully it happens sooner rather then later and I don’t kno if winning the World Series changes my timeline on when I get to the big leagues all I know is i I just want to make it.
