Adam Ottavino
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A few New York Yankees hitters took on Adam Ottavino’s best pitch in spring training. Spoiler alert: the batters lost badly.

Aaron Case

If Alex Rodriguez hit A-Bombs, then New York Yankees setup man Adam Ottavino throws them. The first-year Bombers slider had a nuclear effect on Yankee hitters in a simulated game on Thursday.

Gleyber Torres, Luke Voit, and Tyler Wade all took hacks against Ottavino, each to no avail.

Torres, a righty, gave the New York Post’s George A. King III a succinct scouting report on Ottavino’s famous slider:

“It’s nasty, really good,” said Torres. “He has really good command.”

The 22-year-old second baseman struck out once during the practice game. Voit also took a K.

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Wade, who struck out twice, offered King a left-handed hitter’s perspective on Ottavino’s intimidating breaking pitch:

“It’s not as bad to me, being a left-handed hitter,” said Wade “I can only imagine being a right-handed hitter. There is nothing to compare it to. You see it on the highlights, but it is better by a lot.”

The Yankees signed Ottavino to a three-year, $27 million contract in January. The Brooklyn native enjoyed a career year with the Colorado Rockies in 2018, striking out 112 in 77.2 innings and posting a 2.43 ERA.

Yankee fans are already gleefully anticipating his devastating slider wiping out right-handed opponents like Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez.

Manager Aaron Boone feels much the same, judging from his comments to King:

“You know when you are watching from behind (the screen) and knowing as a right-handed hitter that is not a fun at-bat,” said boone. “When he executes, you kind of like are not even upset when you are out. You are just glad it’s over with.”

With Ottavino joining fellow relievers Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, Zack Britton, and Chad Green, the Evil Empire looks to have the most sinister bullpen in the MLB.


Freelance editor and writer, and full-time Yankees fan. Originally from Monticello, NY, but now lives in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.