Indians’ John Farrell Makes Most of His Opportunities

In four minor-league seasons, John Farrell lost 41 of 65 decisions. But the right-hander’s six-week stint with the Cleveland Indians at the end of last season has the team convinced he can become a mainstay of the pitching rotation.

Farrell, called up to the Indians on Aug. 18 after going 6-12 in 25 games with Buffalo of the American Association, pitched an inning of relief that night and was the winner in a 9-8 decision over Milwaukee.

He proceeded to compile a 5-1 record in 10 games, nine of them starts. Along the way, he stopped the hitting streak of the Brewers’ Paul Molitor at 39 games and recorded victories over American League East rivals Detroit and Boston.

“I was pitching pretty well, and when Sammy Stewart got hurt, I got my chance,” said Farrell, 25, a native of Monmouth Park, N.J. “I was surprised at my success. I don’t think my feet hit the ground the first few weeks.”

Farrell, 25, a product of Oklahoma State, was Cleveland’s second pick in the June 1984 draft. He had seasons of 2-6, 7-13 and 9-10 as he traveled throughout the Indians’ system before being elevated to Buffalo at the start of the 1987 season.

“I adjusted my delivery last year,” said Farrell. “(Buffalo pitching coach) Rick Peterson switched me to a step-and-throw routine, and that helped my control.”

Cleveland Manager Doc Edwards said he first witnessed Farrell’s mettle in 1984, when he was managing Maine of the International League and the right-hander was promoted from Waterloo of the Midwest League.

“Jerry Reed got called up to Cleveland, and John took his place on the Guides,” says Edwards. “He went 2-1 in a pennant drive, and he showed me poise.

“He just got out of sync after that, but I figured he’d get out of that rut and he did, thanks to Rick Peterson and (Buffalo Manager) Steve Swisher. John’s got an excellent fastball and good changeup and slider, and the key is that he uses them well.”

Edwards doesn’t believe in the proverbial sophomore jinx, saying that pitchers must learn to adjust.

“The Wade Boggses and the Don Mattinglys will respond to a pitcher’s adjustment with their own and battle you all the way,” says Edwards, “but many hitters can’t do that. John has to be able to mix things up for the rest of them.”

Edwards projects a rotation of Greg Swindell, Tom Candiotti, Farrell and Rich Yett, with other possibilities in Scott Bailes, Darrel Akerfelds and Ken Schrom.

“We’ll make mistakes. I’ll make mistakes,” said Farrell. “But hopefully, we’ll cut down on them as we learn.”

Farrell had been in Tucson, Cleveland’s spring training site, since Jan. 3 to get an early start on workouts.

“I want to pitch 225 to 250 innings and improve my fielding,” he said. “Knucksie (Phil Niekro) was a great fielder, and that’s a lesson to me. You make a good play and you save yourself a few runs.”

Farrell got plenty of offensive support. In his four wins as a starter, the Indians averaged 10 runs.

“To see your team score like that makes a tremendous amount of difference,” he said. “Add to that the defense we have and you realize the pressure’s not just on you. That’s why I’m optimistic about ’88.”