Hiatt aims for consistency in 2020

Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Josh Hiatt (middle), who posted a 3.64 ERA in 25 appearances for the class-A Lansing Lugnuts in 2019, is working on his changeup this spring and aims to be more consistent in 2020. Photo: Diego Murguia

March 12, 2020

By Diego Murguia

Canadian Baseball Network

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Josh Hiatt was asked about the hardest thing to achieve this season.

“Being consistent,” he said. “Not so much with my workload. Just going out there every day, sticking with the routine, and trusting in my stuff, being consistent in what I’m doing.

“This season, I’m working on pretty much throwing changeups and sinkers over the plate … letting the ball do the work this year.”

The 22-year-old right-hander believes the changeup will be useful in his career.

The Blue Jays drafted him in the 16th round in 2018. Last season he went 2-3 with a 3.64 earned-run average in 25 appearances - including eight starts - for the class-A Lansing Lugnuts.

He has been training with teammate Andy McGuire. For their workout routine, they start with a foam roll and stretch for 40 minutes, get warmed up, and then get on the field to do the throwing program - 90 feet on the lighter days and 150 on a heavy day.

There are ups and downs in a 140-game season. For new players, dealing with the losses can be difficult to handle, but Hiatt knows one or two in a row shouldn’t affect the atmosphere of the group.

“Make sure everybody’s staying positive, and we just let it slide, prefer not to talk about it, and move on for the next game,” he said.