Red Sox rookie Richard Fitts recently shared how watching the 2024 Summer Olympics this past July reignited his competitive spirit after a rough month pitching for Triple-A Worcester. Fitts, who had struggled with a 7.94 ERA in July, credited the Olympics with inspiring him to reset and focus on winning. His renewed mindset led to an impressive 2.54 ERA over six starts before his promotion to Boston.
Fitts, who has yet to allow an earned run during his time with the Red Sox, found motivation in watching Olympic kayaking and canoeing, as well as speed climbing. The experience of seeing Olympic-level competition greatly impacted his approach to pitching and brought him back to his winning ways.
The young pitcher’s improved performance can be attributed to adjustments he made to his changeup and pitch usage this season. By throwing his fastball less frequently and utilizing his slider effectively, Fitts has been able to keep hitters off balance and generate swings and misses. His increased confidence and dominance on the mound have made him a key contributor to the Red Sox’s success.
Despite facing challenges earlier in the season, Fitts has demonstrated resilience and determination, turning his frustrating results into a source of motivation for his current success. By embracing the lessons learned from watching the Olympics and making necessary adjustments to his pitching repertoire, Fitts has emerged as a rising star in the Red Sox organization.
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