Fry A Sleeper Bullpen Candidate

SEATTLE—A year ago, the Mariners summoned lefthander Paul Fry to the big league side spring-training camp, and the reliever appeared in several Cactus League games.

“Experience-wise, it gave me a lot of confidence to know that I could compete,” said Fry, 23.

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This year, Fry will begin on the big league side, with a remote chance to make the Opening Day roster as the second lefthander in the Seattle bullpen.

Fry turned in an outstanding 2015 season to earn the organization’s minor league reliever of the year award.

A 17th-round pick in 2013 out of St. Clair County (Mich.) CC, he began last season at high Class A Bakersfield and pitched his way to Double-A Jackson. In 50 total appearances, Fry recorded a 2.02 ERA and nine saves. In 80 innings, he struck out 113 and walked just 24.

“I’m a bulldog,” he said. “I won’t back down from anyone. I’m not 6-foot-5 and intimidating, but even with my size (6 feet, 190 pounds), I will compete.”

Fry credits much of his success last season to changing his living arrangement. The Michigan native decided to spend his offseason in Arizona instead of going home.

“I moved down in January,” he said. “I live in Michigan, and it was really hard to throw in the offseason. Being in Arizona and going to the facility every day, they had workout plans for you every day. It was awesome.”

He felt the difference. Fry had stay in extended spring training in 2014 to build arm strength, but in 2015 his arm was in “so much better shape.”

Fry’s fastball tops out around 93 mph, but many scouts believe with continued training and in shorter relief stints, he can bump that velocity up to 96.

For now, Fry isn’t going to think about velocity or big league Opening Day dreams—but they are within reach.
“I just have to keep being consistent with what I’ve done,” he said.

MARINADE

• First baseman Kyle Petty capped off his brilliant Australian Baseball League season by winning the home run title with 14. He hit .317/.384/.582 with 44 RBIs in 55 games.

• Righthander Kodi Kerski collected 11 saves for Adelaide, second most in the ABL. He struck out 23 and walked six in 25 innings.