Sewald working on adding a new-look changeup

TEMPE, Ariz. -- For the first time in his nine-season career, D-backs pitcher Paul Sewald is entering Spring Training as the solidified closer for the team he is representing.

It's a different feeling for Sewald, who was acquired from the Mariners last year. However, he knows that if the D-backs want to reach the same heights of playing in the World Series, he will need to elevate his pitch set.

So, the 33-year-old has decided to revisit his roots and implement a changeup into his arsenal. It's a pitch he experimented with when he played on the Mets but never felt comfortable enough to throw it daily.

"If you're not evolving this league, you're going to get passed up," Sewald said. "I'm lucky enough. I've been in this league for a little while. I'm going to face guys for the 10th time, and you got to try and show something a little different."

He showed flashes of it during his Spring Training debut, when he pitched one inning and allowed two hits in the D-backs' 4-1 loss to the Angels on Saturday afternoon. Sewald got Nolan Schanuel to ground out, ending the third inning after throwing his redefined pitch twice.

The veteran reliever wants to make this pitch unique from the one he used in New York. He noted that he is not trying to pronate the ball, which is how most pitchers twirl a changeup. Instead, he wants to focus on getting his arm across and letting it fall with some downward movement.

But his new pitch is auditioning to make the Opening Day roster. Sewald has already found success using his fastball and sweeper, and if the changeup isn't good enough to strike out batters like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, he won't force using the pitch when the season arrives.

"We're going to see how it goes," Sewald said. "If the results are good enough that we think it's a quality pitch, then I'll take it in the season, but just something to try to work on. Having a new pitch would be great. I could have an extra tool in my toolbox."

It isn't just his dedication to perfecting his craft that made him such an appealing acquisition last season.

The right-hander's aura looms when he enters the clubhouse. He isn't just a presence felt in the ninth inning.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo pointed out Sewald's ability to hold himself and the entire team accountable.

"The things that the fans and the common person don't understand is just what he means when he walks into the clubhouse," Lovullo said. "There's that veteran calming presence, the ability to be a leader and teach when he is supposed to, be accountable and hold others accountable. He is a complete package, we're very thankful for having him."

He played a crucial role in Arizona's magical run to the World Series last season and expects the same from his teammates. The road to October begins in February, and he wants everyone on the D-backs to understand.

"I have been in this league long enough to see how that works and see successful ways and not successful ways," Sewald said. "Just making sure everyone's focused on what they can be doing from training to getting better is the way to make sure that we leave camp ready to go."