Justin Lawrence: RHP AAA Rockies
1. Could you tell us your story on dropping down?
I was at Jacksonville University my freshman year of college, about half way through season I wasn’t getting much playing time and it was killing me sitting on the bench watching everyone play. So one day I messed around in the bullpen throwing side arm and it was actually moving and fairly easy for me to control so I brought it to the coaches attention and he liked it and I got a bunch more playing time the rest of the season and then went to summer ball where I really fined tuned my mechanics.
2. What are some of the advantages you have from your arm angle?
The biggest advantage that I have with my arm angle is I still have velocity to go with it so I feel like I have somewhat of a double advantage being able to to throw hard but also from an uncomfortable slot for a hitter.
3. If you didn't drop down, do you think you would have had the same success?
If I wouldn’t have dropped down I don’t know if I would’ve been as successful because when I first dropped down there was no velo like there is now, it wasn’t until my sophomore year of college that I noticed the stronger and harder I worked in the gym the harder I was throwing. So maybe if I stayed over the top and worked out the way I did I would’ve got velo up there also.
Maybe a few months earlier if I would’ve dropped down in the fall of my freshman year maybe right our the gates I’m a dude in the bullpen vs half way through the season but in retrospect to where my career is now, I don’t think that would have affected much of my path.
4. What would you tell someone debating on changing their arm angle?
Just trust it! If it’s a move you think you need to make in your career, chances are the slot you we’re at wasn’t too effective if you’re thinking about dropping down. So trust it and perfect it and know that every time you get on the mound you already have an advantage over the hitter because they’re already uncomfortable before the first pitch of the at bat.
5. Are there any mechanical tips that you'd give to someone throwing sidearm/submarine?
Don’t be too quick to the plate, let everything happen over the rubber. Get your power generated and drive that back hip/leg straight home. If you gets too quick you may be up in the zone, we want the ball, that’s where we’re most effective.
6. What pitches do you throw?
I throw a sinker and a slider. My fastball is 95-98 and I’ve touched 101
7. How do you pitch to lefties/righties?
I go right after righties with a “hit it if you can” mentality. I want to get them out in as few pitches as possible, give them a fastball to hit and let them get themselves out. If I get them 0-2 1-2 I’ll throw a slider to try and get them to chase. To lefties I like to go hard in or soft away depending on the type of hitter it is. The way our sinker/2 seam runs, the lefty can be fooled but still get the head out in time on a pitch away and hit it to left field. So I like to go hard in to lefties early, let them know that I’m not afraid to pitch it there, now that opens up away for me later in the count. I have to pitch with a little more of a plan and finesse to lefties.
8. What is your favorite part about pitching from down there?
With all this Rapsodo, spin rate, pitch at the top of the zone stuff. We’re the last of a dying breed! But the best part about it is, everyone is studying this spin rate stuff more and more and not studying sidearmers so it’s only going to make us more valuable!
