Wright's offseason focused on mental aspects of game

As he gets ready to head to another spring training and tries to make the Orioles' opening day roster, right-hander Mike Wright said today at FanFest he's worked more this winter on the mental aspects of the game than anything that has to do with a fastball or breaking ball.

"Every year, you are trying to get better with your mechanics and with your pitches, but mainly I've been focusing on having a good mental approach to the season and I think I've done a pretty good job so far," he said.

The 27-year-old Wright went 3-4 with a 5.79 ERA last season in the majors and 4-4 with a 3.07 ERA in 13 games at Triple-A Norfolk. Just how did he work on the mental aspects of the game?

"Studying the game," he said. "Thinking about, you know, the good times that I've had. What I was when I was successful, how I felt. Obviously, there are a couple of books that you can read that will really help your mental clarity and I've done all that."

Wright said he felt working on the mental aspects was every bit as important as the physical aspects this winter.

"Consistency is key and I think that is mainly mental," Wright said." Hopefully, we can get off on a really good foot this year. We've got two new pitching coaches in Roger McDowell and Alan Mills, and they both seem awesome. Even, you know, the minor league coordinator John Wasdin, he's awesome, too. I've had some good conservations with him, just from the three days at the mini camp, so I'm excited about the season."

Wright is probably a longshot to make the opening day roster as he did last year, but that's the goal he said he is pursuing when spring training starts.

"Last year, I went into spring training fighting for a spot and I'm going to do the same thing this year," he said. "I'll try to continue that mentality and that approach all season long and not let it waver."