Royals’ Frank Mozzicato Throws Batters A Curve

Lefthander Frank Mozzicato threw one of the best curveballs among high school pitchers in the 2021 draft—and then there were the four consecutive no-hitters he threw that year East Catholic High in Manchester, Conn.

Mozzicato’s breaking ball with its tight spin with top-to-bottom action, sharp bite and good depth was a key factor that got the lean, 6-foot-3 lefthander drafted by the Royals seventh overall.

Mozzicato made his pro debut with Low-A Columbia in 2022. He posting a 4.30 ERA with an impressive 89 strikeouts in 69 innings but with 51 walks. 

After focusing last year on improving his rarely-used changeup, Mozzicato is back to relying on his curveball as his swing-and-miss pitch.

“With him feeling comfortable with his three pitches, he’s able to throw his curveball more,” Royals senior director of pitching performance Paul Gibson said, “and the confidence factor, the velocity to it, and the bite to it are all in place.”

Back with Columbia this season, Mozzicato put up a 1.42 ERA through four starts with 34 strikeouts and 12 walks in 19 innings. His walk rate remained high, but his strikeout rate was elite, and only one qualified pitcher had generated a higher swinging-strike rate than Mozzicato’s 20.2%.

Mozzicato’s improvement is attributed in part to strength added in the offseason and how well he was attacking the zone and locating his fastball in all four quadrants of the zone.  

The confidence gained with more experience, and just being smarter on the mound, have also helped.

“You kind of get punched in the face a little bit and take some shots,” Mozzicato said about his first pro season, “and I think that helped me in the sense of knowing when to throw a pitch and not trying to overuse something that isn’t working for me.”

His improved control stems from a better understanding of how to pitch in pro ball instead of just trying to miss bats in high school.

“He’s starting to understand that there are outs in the strike zone with his stuff,” Gibson said, “and he’s starting to be more confident and throw more strikes.”

ROYALTIES

— Drafted in the second round last year out of Arkansas, third baseman Cayden Wallace hit a combined .293/.379/.466 in 30 games across two levels last summer during his pro debut. He was putting up even better numbers for High-A Quad Cities this season, slashing .296/.402/.519 with three homers through 22 games. Just as impressive was his total of 14 walks against 20 strikeouts.

“Cayden has been consistently on time and swinging at good pitches to hit,” said Mitch Maier, the Royals’ director of player development and field coordinator.