Part 7/12:
Addressing the team’s bullpen, Smoltz reiterated the necessity of building depth in relief pitching. He pointed out that with starters frequently facing injury or fatigue, having multiple reliable bullpen arms is imperative. He suggested that some of Atlanta’s young pitchers, such as Ronaldo Lopez, might be shifted to the bullpen, especially given Lopez's recent injuries.
Smoltz critiqued the trend of overemphasizing high velocity and spin rates, labeling it as a flawed model that contributes to pitcher injuries. He urged a fundamental change in how pitchers are developed and used, advocating for a more sustainable approach that prioritizes health over raw velocity.