Willians Astudillo usually catches fastballs, he doesn’t throw them.
On Friday-evening, the Twins utility fielder – he has spent time in catcher, first, second and third base this season – took the mound for the Minnesota Twins in their 10-3 loss against the Angels.
The 29-year old Venezuelan did not disappoint, sending Kurt Suzuki (line-out), Luis Rengifo (groundout) and David Fletcher (line-out) on seven pitches in the bottom of the eighth.
While its effectiveness was a miracle, it was secondary to its speed – or lack thereof.
“La Tortuga” fields topped 72.5 mph, while a strangely dazzling field was thrown at 46 mph – five mph slower than the so-called attack Astros pitcher Zack Greinke threw on Monday.
The entire dugout watched the radar cannon during its brief relief.
“I mean there’s no way not to, right?” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. ‘It’s all part of it. But nice, clean collection, and no sweat for him. I don’t think he broke into a sweat.
I’m not surprised he can throw [46] mph strikes and zips them in if he wants a 75 mph fastball. He does it all. “