2011-06-06

NH Pitching Coach Pete Walker Speaks on Alvarez & Stewart

The Double A level New Hampshire Fisher Cats have a pair of pitching prospects that plenty of folks around the Blue Jays organization should be excited about.

Righty hurler Henderson Alvarez, a Venezuelan product, has been turning heads through just four starts with the Fisher Cats. Despite taking his first loss at the Double A level on Sunday, against division rival Trenton, Alvarez made a big impression with his fastball, regularly reaching 96-98 MPH and hitting 101 MPH on the gun at least one time.

Through 4 starts with New Hampshire, the 21-year-old Alvarez has posted a 2-1 record with a 3.22 ERA with a .256 batting average against.

Another right-hander impressing people is Zach Stewart, who was acquired by Toronto from Cincinnati in the 2009 Scott Rolen trade. In 11 starts the season for the Fisher Cats, Stewart has posted a 3-3 record with a 4.66 ERA.

Remove Stewart's worst start (an outing at Portland on May 23, when he allowed 7 earned runs in 4 innings pitched) and his output this season is a much improved 3-2 record with a 3.92 ERA.

Stewart, a 24-year-old that many feel could be in the Majors next season, regularly throws his fastball in the low-to-mid 90's.

Recently, I spoke with New Hampshire Fisher Cats pitching coach and former Blue Jays pitcher Pete Walker about both of these pitching prospects. Check out the media player below to hear the full interview.


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