An Interview with LHP Tommy Shirley

I have seen Tommy Shirley several times over the last year, first at Spring Training and then a number of times during my trips to Lancaster during the 2013 season. Unlike many more outgoing baseball players, Shirley was always very quiet when I was around him and I never really got a feel for his personality. I finally talked to him briefly in September at an after-game potluck organized by the JetHawks Booster Club. I came away with the impression of a young man who is somewhat quiet on the field because he is very much focused on the job at hand.

I spoke with Tommy by phone late last week and my first question, after ascertaining that Tommy is his handle of choice, was regarding the injury that sidelined him for much of the 2011 season. It turns out that he had knee surgery, but is now 100% healthy. The following are excerpts from our conversation, edited for brevity and clarity.

Tommy Shirley - May 2013

Photo by Jayne Hansen

WTH: Can you tell me a little about your pitch repertoire?

TS: I throw obviously a fast ball. My fastball has a natural cutting movement to it. Velocity in the first part of the season was probably 88 to 91 or 92, but maybe two months into the season, my velocity really jumped up and I was [sitting] 90 or 92 to 94 and hit 96 a few times. I also throw a changeup and a curveball. I use the curveball more as an out pitch than the changeup, but guys, for whatever reason, have a tough time with my fastball so I [use that as an out pitch a lot].

WTH: What did you think about the tandem pitching rotation?

TS: I thought all the teams had a pretty good record with it. It definitely helped us. Personally, I didn't mind it because I've always been a starter, but they had me relieve a little while and it [the tandem rotation] kind of showcased me both starting and relieving. Some pitchers had a problem with it, but for me it was alright. You only have five innings at the most that you have to focus on, just trying to go out there and [giving] your team a chance to win.

WTH: I noticed that you had a lower strikeout rate this year than in the past (and also lower walks). Was that by design, pitching more to contact?

TS: Yeah, it's good to have more strikeouts, but sometimes pitchers get caught up with [that]. Sometimes I did in the past where I'd have them 0-2 or 1-2 and I'd try to strike them out and it would go to 2-2 or 3-2. This year I focused more on trying to get them out in three pitches or less, or just get them out as soon as possible. [Instead of strikeouts], what I really look at is the opposing batting average which I think is one of the most important things. I think mine was pretty good. [Shirley held batters to a .237 average in 2013, and held lefties to a .213 average.]

WTH: What do you feel that you accomplished in the 2013 season and what are you still working on?

TS: I think I showed people that I'm a starter again and that I can get guys out fairly easily at a good pace. And really what I'm working on in the offseason is my offspeed pitches, just focus more on getting my curveball as an out pitch and just continue my work on the changeup. [In the offseason], I'm [also] trying to get into eating healthier foods and trying to put on some weight for the upcoming season.

WTH: Can you tell me about the playoff experience? It had to be a little disappointing.

TS: Going into the playoffs, even though we had a lot of players move around during the season, I thought that our team was still just as strong. Especially after we won the first game, I figured that we'd have a really good chance and after we won Game 4, I thought that we had a great chance. I can't even explain Game 5. I don't think many people will ever see that again. It was just unbelievable. My first year with Tri-City, we won it all and I thought I was going to do it again this year, but [that] ended up not happening. I think it was more just shock because we had the bases loaded twice, but sometimes it just doesn't happen.

WTH: What would you do if you couldn't play baseball?

TS: If I couldn't play baseball, I'd like to think that I could play basketball. But I would love to be either in the front office of a professional sports team or a shoe designer.

WTH: A shoe designer? You may have just answered my next question. Can you tell me something about yourself that most people don't know and might be surprised to hear?

TS: People might not be surprised about the shoe designer. They know that I really like Jordans and stuff. I'm really good at swimming. Most people don't know that. [Were you on a swim team in high school or college?] Just high school. I was a pretty good swimmer.

WTH: Since you were drafted in the ninth round in 2010, there have been a lot of changes in the Astros organization. Can you share your thoughts about that?

TS: Yeah, I'd say there's been some big changes. We almost have a whole new staff. And everything's kind of cleaned up [with] a lot more focus on the little things. [It's] been a little bit tighter ship and I think it's for the better. Better workouts. Better drills. Everything's just a little bit better than it was before and I think it's kind of shown with the records we've had.

I don't know that I got to know Tommy a whole lot better, but one thing really struck me about him. His confidence. When I asked my standard question about who in the system had a pitch he'd like to steal, he picked his own fastball. "I just like the stuff I've got right now." And in response to my query as to what Astros batter he'd least like to face, Tommy responded, "I like facing everybody. I like facing the better hitters so I can showcase that I can get them out. I want to face the best hitters."

After this exchange, I said, "You are very confident, aren't you?" Tommy's response? "You've got to be just a little bit." And why shouldn't he be? Despite pitching in the decidedly hitter-friendly Lancaster ballpark, Shirley ended the season with a 3.35 ERA and a very stingy 1.195 WHIP. I look forward to seeing what he can do next season.

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Thank you for your time, Tommy, and the best of luck to you in the coming season.