Tanner Scott aiming for more aggression

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tanner Scott is vowing to be more aggressive on the mound this season as a possible solution to his high walk rate.

Attack the problem by attacking the hitters.

Scott averaged 6.5 walks per nine innings in 2019 and the Orioles responded by giving him the yo-yo treatment between their roster and the minors. He had four stints on the club and totaled 28 appearances, 25 fewer than the previous season.

The Orioles optioned Scott late in camp rather than include him on the opening day roster, recalled him on April 11 and continued to be teased by his potential.

An inability to become established in the majors is easily explained.

"Everyone knows I walk too many people, so I'm definitely trying to cut down on the walks and attack hitters," Scott said. "No one gets on base, it's a lot easier."

Scott, 25, also averaged 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings and held left-handed hitters to a .188 average and .682 OPS. His fastball flirts with the 100 mph mark and his slider has become a plus swing-and-miss pitch or inducer of ground balls.

Scouts love his stuff. The Orioles envision him as a dominant reliever in the back end of their bullpen. But it hasn't all come together.

"Yeah, it's frustrating," he said. "It would be nice to just go out there and be perfect every time, but no one's perfect. The goal is to be consistent. I mean, that's the name of the game. That's the goal."

How can a pitcher work on his control and command in the offseason?

"Changing your mindset and going out there and attack. Don't try to be too perfect. Just go out there and do what you do best," he said.

No major adjustments to his routine. Nothing of a physical nature.

Asked whether the walks are the product of a mechanical glitch, Scott replied, "It's definitely not mechanical. I'd say more attitude and, I guess, confidence. It wouldn't be mechanical at all."

Scott is keeping it simple, sticking to the basics.

"Get everyone out. That's the main goal," he said.

"Definitely command the zone and get after hitters and go from there."

The activity prior to his arrival in Sarasota included a review of his 2019 season. The good and the bad. The dominant and the disappointing.

"You have to because you've got to know what you've got to work on," said Scott, who registered a 4.78 ERA and 1.785 WHIP in 26 1/3 innings. "You've got to move and build on it and know what you've got to do better and move on from there. You reflect, then you go out there and try to better yourself."