RedHawks' sidearm relievers excelling

But at one point, a coach approached each with the idea, with the hope of making their path to the majors a little easier.

Rapada was pitching in the Cubs organization in 2004, trying to advance when the team's pitching coordinator told him the quickest path up the ladder was to move to a relief role — and adopt the unconventional delivery.

"I used to do it once every now and then just to mix it up, but I never thought in college or in high school that I was going to be a sidearm pitcher someday,” Rapada said.

Eppley's transition started in spring training of 2009. Texas Rangers pitching coordinator Danny Clark talked to him about making a change.

"I kind of lost my velocity in spring training, so he talked to me about trying it out, and it's seemed to have worked pretty well,” Eppley said.

Eppley said he's still in transition.

"I was over-the-top, 3/4 guy all through college and growing up, so I'm still trying to get a feel for it each day,” Eppley said. "I was just trying to do whatever I could to get to the next level.”

Both have been effective pieces in the Oklahoma City RedHawks bullpen this year.

Rapada has been one of the most effective relievers in the entire Pacific Coast League with a 1.90 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 52 innings.

"He's been great,” RedHawks manager Bobby Jones said. "I can't think this kid isn't going to get another shot in the big leagues sometime soon.”

Eppley was called up to Oklahoma City in early June and made an immediate impact. He struck out four in two innings in his Triple-A debut.

Since, he's appeared in 10 games, with a 3.38 ERA in 16 innings.

Sidearm and submarine pitchers have been around for as long as the game of baseball. Hall of Famer Walter Johnson, who played from 1907-1927 won more than 400 games throwing sidearm.

Lately, though, most sidearmers have been relief pitchers.

The difference in arm slots make it difficult for hitters to pick up the baseball.

"It changes a hitter's eyesight,” Eppley said.

Hitters aren't the only ones who can struggle with pitchers with an unconventional arm angle.

Catchers need take time to adjust, although former RedHawks catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, now with Boston, said the transition is quick.

"It takes some getting used to,” Saltalamacchia said. "But when you've caught them once or twice, it gets pretty easy to adjust.”

It hasn't been easy for the pitchers to adjust, either.

Eppley said it took two months before he was throwing strikes regularly, and he's still working through the delivery.

Rapada said it took a year and a half before he felt fully comfortable with the sidearm delivery.

"The first year probably was learning how to throw again,” Rapada said. "The movements are different. The pitches are different. The soreness is different.”

Both are glad to have someone else to relate to in the RedHawks bullpen.

Eppley was the only sidearmer in his three minor league stops the last two years before he arrived in Oklahoma City. Rapada was on his own before Eppley was called up from Double-A Frisco (Texas).

"It's definitely good having him around,” Eppley said. "In spring training, I also talked to (Rangers reliever) Darren O'Day quite a bit and if I have a problem, I can go to one of those guys.”

Rapada said he's tried to keep his distance when it comes to advice.

"I've kind of let him do his own thing,” Rapada said of Eppley. "It's his first time at Triple-A, and I'm sure he's got a lot going through his mind.”

But Rapada still likes having another sidearmer around.

"It's nice being able to relate to somebody,” Rapada said. "You hear other pitchers out there talking about their cutters or change-ups, and I was just kind of off on my own.”

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