Skubal Helps Cy Young Winner Robbie Ray Revitalize Changeup During Spring Training
During the MLB offseason, the Detroit Tigers left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal exchanged insights on changeup techniques with the San Francisco Giants’ 2021 Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray.
The interaction between Skubal and Ray began at the end of last season. Ray witnessed Skubal’s success with this changeup, a pitch Skubal developed several years ago while rehabbing from surgery on his left flexor tendon.
“I saw the way his fastball explodes through the zone, higher arm slot, had a really good changeup,” Ray told MLB.com Giants reporter Maria Guardado. “Similar arm slot as me. I was like, ‘Alright, I’ve got to figure out how he’s doing this.’
“We have similar arm slots,” Ray continued. “He’s maybe a little bit higher than I am, but very similar. I’ve always struggled with throwing a changeup, and I don’t pronate very well. So that’s usually how you throw a changeup. The way he taught me, you don’t have to.”
Ray texted Skubal to ask if he’d be willing to help him with techniques that could impact how Ray grips his changeup.
“He kind of just sent me the kitchen sink,” Ray said. “He sent me pictures, video, everything. He was very open about it, and I was very thankful.”
When reached for comment by MLB.com, Skubal admitted that he always asks other pitchers about their pitch shapes and grips. In exchange for his tips, Skubal said Ray gave him some details about his sliders.
Ray tried out Skubal’s tips during his first outing of spring training on Tuesday, Feb. 25, and was pleased with the results. He struck out three over two scoreless innings.
