Bulked-up Fedde makes strong impression in first start

JUPITER, Fla. - Erick Fedde believes he's ready to become a trusted member of the Nationals rotation. But he recognizes that, barring injury, there probably won't be a spot for him in the rotation coming out of spring training.

Such a realization might normally be enough to discourage a young right-hander who already has spent more time in the minors than he'd prefer. But Fedde chooses to take more of a glass-half-full approach to the situation.

"Last year, I think we used 21 pitchers in the big leagues," he said. "If I count, I think I fit in that 21. My goal: Just go out there every day and take care of my business. And I think big leaguers don't stay in Triple-A for long. So just go out there and take care of it and pitch like a big leaguer, and eventually you'll find your way up there."

Fedde's numbers actually were off. The Nationals used 31 pitchers last season, 12 starters. But the point stands: They're going to need him in 2019. And he wants to make sure he's ready whenever the call comes.

Fedde took his first step toward making his case Sunday afternoon when he tossed two strong innings against the Cardinals, during which he looked quite confident facing several notable big league hitters. He retired six of the seven batters he faced, including Matt Carpenter, Dexter Fowler and Paul Goldschmidt in the bottom of the first.

"Really happy with my stuff," he said. "Was actually a little surprised myself. The first day, you are expecting to struggle a little or not find some stuff. But I was firing and just want to keep it right there."

Fedde's fastball sat in the 92-94 mph range, but more impressive were the three sliders he threw to strike out Fowler, Tyler O'Neill and Yairo Muñoz.

"I was able to put it where I want it," he said of the breaking pitch. "And I think what's nice about facing hitters is what you can see swings and what it really looks like. And today I got some good feedback."

Fedde has always shown an ability to impress in spurts here and there. He knows the next critical step in his development is to show he can do it more than four or five innings at a time, and that he can do it every five days with consistency.

So the righty, who turns 26 today, changed up his training regimen this winter and focused on adding weight to his lanky frame. His goal was to gain 20 lbs., and he hit the nail on the head, ending the 2018 season at 183 lbs. and reporting for spring training at 203 lbs.

Now he has to figure out how to keep the weight on all season. Not that he's worried about figuring out how exactly to do that: Keep eating.

"Just everything in sight, I guess," he said. "It's just been a see it, eat it, snack a lot, go until the plate is empty."