University of Massachusets Athletics
Torra's Revamped Style Nets Big Smiles
June 17, 2008 | Baseball
June 17, 2008
TUCSON, Ariz. - Two months after the Arizona Diamondbacks made him the 31st overall pick of the 2005 draft, Matt Torra tore up his prized right shoulder.
Torra needed to reinvent himself as a pitcher after undergoing surgery and nearly a year of rehabilitation. His fastball velocity dropped by 5 mph, so he learned to better locate his pitches and change speeds.
Almost three years after he underwent surgery for a labrum tear, Torra made his Triple-A debut Sunday night with the Tucson Sidewinders, another step forward from the frustrating injury that sent his promising career on a detour.
"He was outstanding," pitching coach Mike Parrott said before Monday's 6-5 victory over the Sky Sox at Tucson Electric Park. "He did more than I could have hoped for. His poise was good, his tempo on the mound was outstanding as far as he worked quick, threw strikes, didn't make the defense sit around too much and watch."
Torra, 23, allowed three runs -- all on Jayson Nix's 10th home run -- struck out three and walked one in six innings. in a loss to Colorado Springs.
Torra's game plan has evolved since the D-backs drafted him out of the University of Massachusetts as their sandwich pick. His 96 mph fastball overpowered hitters, and his 1.14 ERA led the nation during his junior season in 2005.
Baseball America named him the D-backs' No. 8 prospect, ahead of current starter Micah Owings.
After he signed, Torra threw 10 innings at short-season Yakima (Wash.) before he developed biceps tendinitis in early August. An MRI revealed a torn labrum. He pitched just 25 innings in 2006.
Last season at Class A Visalia (Calif.), as he learned to mix his fastball with a change-up and slider, he went 10-3 in the second half of the season after beginning 2-7.
"I used to locate fairly well, but I could get away with some mistakes when I was throwing harder," Torra said. "Now I miss my spots and it gets hit." Torra praised D-backs farm director A.J. Hinch and pitching coordinator Mel Stottlemyre Jr. for their support during his conversion.
"I'm hoping one day it'll come back," Torra said of his velocity. "It was frustrating.
"I just kept battling and got through it. To be able to pitch again and be able to make it to Triple-A and hopefully beyond that level is my goal."
