Eddie Michels’ Dunedin Update

By Eddie Michels on July 7, 2014

EDDIE MICHELS PHOTO

DUNEDIN, FLA.– (Above) Toronto Blue Jays minor league pitching guru Rick Langford (left) talks pitching with Frank Viola III the reborn knuckle ball hurler at Class-A Dunedin.

At age 30 Viola restarted his career this year and has advanced through the Jays system to Dunedin where on July 4th he threw six solid innings allowing just one run on five hits to get the win.

Ask what speed it is hardest to control his knuckle ball Viola said, “76-78 MPH.” He was throwing a consistent 64-70 MPH on the 4th.

Viola III is the son of former major leaguer and CY Young winner Frank Viola Jr.

Langford who didn’t throw a knuckle ball, is known for “The Streak”. His 28 complete games in 1980 that saw him go 19-12 with a 3.26 era and 290.0 innings pitched. The fifth most innings pitched since 1970.

Dunedin Blue Jays SS Peter Mooney takes the sliding hit from the Tampa Yankees Jake Cave but Cave is still out on Sunday July 6, 2014.
Mooney hung onto the throw from 2B Christian Lopes but bobbled the exchange to complete the double play.
(Eddie Michels/Photo)