Storm Pitcher Mike Watt Battles Opponents, Not Himself

Whether Mike Watt has calmed some of his early-season jitters or simply has a feisty temperament, he has improved in handling it. In turn, he has improved on the mound.

The Lake Elsinore Storm left-handed starting pitcher has learned how to control his emotions both on the mound and between starts.

The results are evident. After his Aug. 2 start, in which he allowed a modest two earned runs in five innings in an 8-6 loss at home to the High Desert Mavericks, the 22-year-old is 4-9 with a 5.82 ERA and 107 strikeouts – eighth in the California League.

Watt is 2-2 in the second half of this season, with a 5.40 earned-run average, 52 hits allowed and 40 innings in eight starts. In the first half, he struggled, going 2-7 with a 6.11 ERA in 14 starts.

So far, so good for the second-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007. Watt, who played for Capistrano Valley High in Mission Viejo, was traded in 2008 to the San Diego Padres as part of a deal for now-retired Greg Maddux, a likely Hall of Fame pitcher.

But placing so much pressure on himself had become detrimental to his performance, and he knew it.

“I had one of the worst outings of my career at High Desert,” said Watt, when on June 12 he allowed nine earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. “It looked like I was going to go to the bullpen.

Watt became more relaxed. From that point on, he began to gain a little more control over his anxiety. He has been a good part of why Lake Elsinore was in first place in the South Division at 26-19, as of Aug. 11.

“After that, I stopped putting so much pressure on it and approached it more like a game and not the end of the world,” Watt said. “I stopped putting everything (emotionally) on one outing, my life revolved on that one start out of five days. Since then, I’ve relaxed. I can’t tell you how many times people have helped me with advice. It’s still something I’m always going to have to work on.”

His manager, Phil Plantier, also talked about the improvement of Watt in containing those emotions. Staying electric on the mound while staying quiet within, if you will.

“I’ve seen him mature emotionally as the season’s progressed,” Plantier said. “I saw a guy at the beginning of the year who was controlled by his emotions during the game, to a guy who has (been better). I’ve seen composure and consistent tempo, an ability to repeat his delivery and release point as his emotions were in the right place.

“It’s not about getting down (on himself). A big part of any player’s development is how to find that emotional mindset that they can best compete at, whether it’s intensity or it can be controlling the adrenaline. Really, it’s just controlling your emotions and how it can affect the physical side of your game.”

About two years ago, Watt picked up a guitar and it has kept him in tune with those emotions. Reliever Dustin Pease, who also jams on guitar, and they often string together a few nice songs.

“It’s a great hobby,” Watt said. “Especially when you’re struggling with baseball. It puts your focus on something besides the game, so you’re not dwelling on the negative side.”

Technically, Lake Elsinore pitching coach Bronswell Patrick said Watt has shown a great changeup in games.

“He’s had games where he’s been lights out with the changeup,” Patrick said. “He has real good tilt on his curve. He understands what he has to do … he can’t worry about what’s ahead of him.”

Watt’s also had an important season in his growth as a player. He spent two seasons at Fort Wayne, going 7-4 with a 4.17 ERA the first season in 2009 and 6-6 with a 3.82 and 105 strikeouts with 37 walks the next. He also started one game at Triple-A Portland in 2009, lasting three innings in a no-decision and allowing four runs, with one home run, on six hits.

“It’s funny, because numbers-wise, it seems like it’s been a down year,” Watt said. “But I’ve learned so much, in that I was in the process of having a bad outing, then dwelling on it for four days. But I’ve learned how to be the same person, whereas even if I have a bad outing, or the same thing with a good outing, to be the same person. That way I’m not having too much pressure on myself.”

As for those strikeouts, Watt displayed an aw-shucks reaction to them. More importantly, he said he’s gotten better at holding runners in scoring position and not allowing them to score.

“I just try to get ground balls,” Watt said. “I try to get a good mix of pitches, mix it up and work ahead of the count and just go after hitters.”

Watt has been fortunate enough to play in front of family and friends near home. He has played against the Inland Empire 66ers and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, a mere 44 miles or so away from Mission Viejo. Lake Elsinore is about 38 miles away, up California State Route 74.

“It’s awesome,” Watt said. “When I was with the Dodgers, I was looking forward to getting to play in the California League when they were in Inland Empire. To be in the Padres’ organization with Lake Elsinore, which is the closest minor league ballpark to my home, is great. It’s nice to go home, see people, you enjoy the season more.”