Chris Bosio was added to the Tigers coaching staff almost immediately after Ron Gardenhire was named manager. Bosio came over from the Cubs after spending six seasons on the North Side of Chicago. Going to three straight NLCS (2015-2017) and winning a World Series in 2016. However, according to a story in the Chicago Tribune, the relationship between Cubs manager Joe Maddon and Bosio had “soured” by seasons end.
Chris Bosio was credited for turning around Jake Arrieta’s career, from what could be labeled a bust to Cy Young Award Winner. He also was credited with helping pitchers like Kyle Hendricks, Jason Hammel, and Scott Feldman. He took was seemed to be middle tier pitchers and turned them in to front-line starters (or respectable big league pitchers). His philosophy is simple:
“I want these guys to be able to throw any pitch at any time,” he said. “I’ve been a big believer in pitching inside. I believe in soft contact and I’m a big believer in taking advantage of your defense and trying to be pitch-efficient. If you can do those things, you are going to be successful.”
According to an article in the Detroit News by Chris McCosky, Bosio has already gotten to Tigers’ pitcher Jordan Zimmermann. After watching tape of Zimmermann, he noticed something that had nothing to do with mechanics, movement or velocity.
Here’s Bosio on Zimmerman’s issue:
“When you are hurt, you start to develop different habits, just trying to get by,” Bosio said. “I wasn’t here, but from the conversations I’ve had and the things I can see on video, he was really trying to gut things out. But that’s the warrior in him. You can’t take that away because he’s a guy that wants to be out there. But tempo was big with Jordan.”
When asked about it, Zimmermann said he had no idea how bad it was. He also had this to say about his conversation with his new pitching coach.
“The first time I talked to him (in November), he was already watching film on me,” Zimmermann said. “He said he saw something that needed correcting. I am excited to get working with him and get it figured out.”
Hopefully for Zimmermann and the Tigers Bosio can get the struggling pitcher back on track with this little adjustment. However, if Chris Bosio can come to Detroit and accelerate the learning curve for this young pitching staff the way he did the Cubs. He will make all Tigers fans very happy, maybe as happy as he made Cubs fans.
