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Manfredi's Call to Majors: From Surprise Call to Ohtani Duel
23 Aug
Summary
- Mark Manfredi received his MLB call-up via a surprise summons from his manager.
- Pitcher navigated altitude challenges in Albuquerque, impacting pitch movement.
- He debuted against the Dodgers, facing Shohei Ohtani in a key situation.
Mark Manfredi's path to the major leagues was not straightforward, involving a significant draft position and a transition to a full-time bullpen role. After being traded to Colorado, he faced challenges adapting to the high altitude of Albuquerque, which notably altered the movement of his pitches, particularly his fastball.
He learned to adjust by altering pitch selection and focusing on his gyro slider, which is less affected by altitude. A new two-seam fastball also showed promise during his time in Albuquerque. Manfredi received his call to the majors after a teammate's injury, entering a game against the Dodgers with runners on base.
His debut was immediately tested against Shohei Ohtani, a moment he described as "perfect." Manfredi pitched effectively, recording strikeouts and showcasing his newly developed two-seamer. The experience was made more special by the presence of his family, who arrived on short notice to witness his first major league appearance.
