Shots Across the Bow: Duke Welker

Thursday, 21 February 2013 17:50

Written by Bill Brink

BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pirates told Duke Welker to use this camp to compete to make the team. Clint Hurdle also said, however, that what Welker needs to build on his successful 2012 season is to continue to pitch.

"They don't know where the cards are going to fall and what's going to happen," Welker said. "All I know is, we've still got a month until we start the season."

Welker, 27, struck out 49 batters in 55 innings between Altoona and Indianapolis last season.

"In previous years," Welker said, "I just was focused on trying to have success and being as best as I can be -- which is good -- but ultimately, you've got to let it go on the field and let everything you prepared for just kind of come out. That's kind of what I did."

The Pirates promoted Welker to Indy in time for him to appear in 26 games. His ERA stayed in the low-twos, but his walks increased from seven in 231/3 innings in Altoona to 18 in 312/3 innings in Indianapolis.

Playing in Indianapolis with, and against, players with major league experience helped Welker.

"They're just more veterans and more patient at the plate, more of an idea of what were their pros and what were my pros," Welker said. "More understanding, more in-depth scouting reports."

Welker uses a two-seam fastball that runs in on right-handers in the mid-90s and a slider that moves the other way.

"Strike zone efficiency has continued to improve," Hurdle said. "The strikeout has come into play a little bit more often than it did early. He throws a breaking ball behind in counts. He's also working on a third pitch, something softer."

In today's Post-Gazette: Starling Marte and the work he must do to lead off.