Hard-throwing Rainey trying to slow things down

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Velocity has been Tanner Rainey's calling card. Pitchers capable of throwing 100 mph tend to get noticed, and it was the right-hander's radar gun readings that made him attractive to the Nationals, who swapped righty Tanner Roark to the Reds at the Winter Meetings to acquire him.

So why is Rainey spending spring training trying to slow things down?

Like most hard throwers, Rainey has trouble repeating his mechanics. And when that happens, he tends to get a little out of whack, rendering all of that velocity a lot more hittable.

"Slowing things down, trying not to get too aggressive," he said. "Trying to stay a little more under control so my delivery is more repeatable. Just trying to get the timing and everything to match up. The first two outings have both felt progressively better. So I see an upside for sure."

At 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, the 26-year-old Rainey has the look of a power pitcher. But despite more success since being converted to a full-time relief pitcher after the 2016 campaign, he's still trying to translate high-90s heat into a regular role.

The December trade to the Nationals is a fresh start, and an opportunity for Rainey to start anew with a new organization.

"It's always a good thing to be able to start clean and show other people what you have," he said. "But I had no issues coming into this organization. Great teammates, great staff. There was no issue with the transition at all."

Still, the trade was unexpected. He'd been drafted and developed by the Reds, who took him in the second round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of West Alabama.

"Honestly, just surprised," Rainey said. "Wasn't really expecting anything and I got the call, was told I was traded. I was surprised and excited. New organization, new start."

Rainey reached the big leagues last year, but got knocked around pretty good, posting a 24.43 ERA in seven innings over eight appearances out of the bullpen. In two Grapefruit League outings, he's got a 21.60 ERA over 1 2/3 innings.

"I like him," manager Davey Martinez said. "The biggest thing with him was the control of his fastball. We try to hone in on his mechanics and keep him more consistent with it. His breaking ball, his slider, is really good, so teaching him that his slider can be used as a strike pitch as well. I think he's going to help us."

Rainey has a lot more to offer than just velocity. His upper-90s fastball is complimented by a slider that checked in at the high 80s, the difference between the two pitches allowing the slider to miss a lot of bats. In 275 1/3 minor league innings, Rainey has struck out 339 batters.

The right-hander is comfortable in any role the Nationals want to use him in, though both sides agree that relief best suits him.

"Honestly, it doesn't matter," Rainey said. "I'll throw the ball whenever. But my first year and a half in pro ball, I was a starter, so I can go extended. I was able to throw 100 pitches in a game and not have any issues with it. But I've had more success as a reliever. Short one- to two-inning stints. But I've also had some relief appearances that were four, five innings."

Rainey understands why he's now pegged as a guy who flourishes in shorter outings.

"I feel like most guys can throw multiple innings, but the whole side of things now is to keep them as fresh as possible," he said. "I don't think it's something most people can't do; I think it's something teams do to keep arms fresh."

Martinez's view of Rainey's preferred role? "Right now, I'd really like to keep him a one-inning guy," he said. "Get three outs."