Trip to Houston offers Brent Strom reminder of Arizona Diamondbacks’ potential
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Tuesday night’s series opener in Houston is, on the surface, a mostly irrelevant game between an eliminated Diamondbacks team with one eye on next season and a clinched Astros team with one eye on the postseason. But for pitching coach Brent Strom, it’s a special occasion.
From 2014 to 2021, Strom served as the Astros pitching coach. By blending old-school coaching with modern analytics, he helped spur Justin Verlander’s late-career resurgence and guided Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton to the best years of their careers.
“Mixed feelings,” Strom said. “It's kinda strange to go back. I've been following them all year. Some communications with (Lance) McCullers and a couple others. They've obviously had a tremendous year.”
Strom has already been rewarded for his efforts in Houston with a 2017 World Series ring and 2019 American League champions ring. On Tuesday, he’ll add a 2021 American League champions ring to the collection.
“I'm trying to downplay it, but they're gonna probably do something,” Strom said. “I hope they don't do like they do for Morton and (George) Springer and (Carlos) Correa and all those guys. It'll be nice to see them and get that.”
But for Strom, returning to Houston is more than a chance to relive old glories.
All season, his wife has reminded him of the Astros' record in his first year there. Like this year’s Diamondbacks, those Astros were a young team on the back of a 110-loss season. By going 70-92, they set the framework for nearly a decade of uninterrupted success.
Earlier this month, when the Diamondbacks climbed to 65-69, he eyed the .500 mark. Although they’ve fallen off that pace and clinched a third straight losing season with Saturday’s loss to the Giants, Strom remains optimistic about the future.
That is, in part, why he plans to return as the club’s pitching coach next season, even as he turns 74 next month.
“I'm definitely interested in coming back,” Strom, who is under contract for next season, said. “Especially (because) it's been fun to see the uptick in energy. The outfielders have done that, been special to watch. The young pitching that's come up has been special to watch. There's more to come.”
Amid the Diamondbacks’ recent slide, their pitching has provided reason for continued optimism. Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly have been their customarily excellent selves, but it’s the success of their young starters that has most bolstered excitement about next season’s possibilities. Among that group is Drey Jameson, Ryne Nelson and Tommy Henry — all rookies.
After Sunday’s 5 1/3 scoreless innings, Jameson now has a 0.98 ERA in his first 18 1/3 major league innings.
“He's got everything that is needed to be a front-line starting pitcher for a first (place) team,” Strom said. “He's got great confidence. He's got a little swag about him.”
Strom added that he was encouraged by Jameson’s aggressive mentality against a stacked Dodgers lineup in his previous outing. He struck out seven and only walked one in six two-run innings at Dodger Stadium.
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Nelson was similarly effective (1.47 ERA) in his first three starts before being placed on the 15-day IL with right scapula inflammation. Strom said the injury might have been a result of overthrowing in his last start, when his off-speed pitches were ineffective. Improving those offerings to complement his lively fastball will be Strom’s primary objective with Nelson in the off-season.
“Once he gets settled in and his arm is back to (health), we'll get back to work on his change-up and some different things, delivery concerns,” Strom said. “But he was good. Nice start for him. Really good.”
Even Henry, who has had mixed results with a 5.98 ERA across eight starts, has displayed encouraging signs, Strom said. Like with Nelson, Strom is eyeing “some things in the delivery” to tweak with Henry in the off-season.
Together, the trio — along with Brandon Pfaadt and Blake Walston in the high minors — helps make it possible to envision a brighter future ahead.
For Strom, the trip to Houston is a reminder of what that could lead to.
Theo Mackie covers Arizona high school sports and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He can be reached by email at theo.mackie@gannett.com and on Twitter @theo_mackie.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Houston trip offers Brent Strom reminder of Diamondbacks potential
