How The Nat's Top Pitching Prospect Approaches Pitching In The Major Leagues

There's a great interview here on the blog Full Pitch Count with Nat's pitcher Collin Balester, who made his major league debut on July 1 and held his spot in the rotation for the rest of the season, making 15 starts in all and finishing with a 3-7 record and a 5.51 ERA.

His response to this question really stands out, because I think it can be applied at every level of the game:

FPC: Have you had to adapt your pitching style to the major league? Do you have to throw different pitches at different times in the count? How much input do you have in game planning and pitch calling as a young MLB pitcher?

CB: That's a good question because everybody thinks that you have to change when you get to the Major leagues to get people out up there. I couldn't disagree more, you really have to pitch the same way because that's the way that got you to the big leagues in the first place, the people that totally change the way they pitch because they think their stuff isn't good enough those are the people that are sent back the minors soon after. I think the game planning and pitch calling as a young pitcher is an important part of the game, I mean the faster you understand on how you plan for every start and now what pitches to throw in certain counts the faster you will become an elite pitcher in this game.

So what are the takeaways? You must stay within yourself, pitch to your strengths and believe in your ability to get hitters out.