While so much of pitching is about being able to execute your pitches in the strike zone, first-year Yomiuri Giants right-hander Mile Mikolas has been immersing himself in Japan's art of working outside the zone.
Mikolas, who pitched in the majors with the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers, came to Japan this spring with a reputation of a man who pitched to contact and who could be successful without striking out many batters. But in Japan he has made it a mission to learn how to expand the strike zone and thus become an effective strikeout pitcher.
After striking out 6.1 batters per nine innings over his brief major league career, Mikolas spent some time in the minors this spring and returned able to carry out his plan. In his last two starts he has struck out 19 batters, while allowing one run in 15-plus innings.