Paxton added a high fastball to his pitching arsenal and refined his changeup this offseason, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton worked on those pitches because his recovery last autumn from a torn fingernail prevented him from throwing breaking balls. "My changeup got way better (in the Fall League), and that high fastball changed everything," Paxton said. "Guys were always looking down in the zone for me because I have that (12-to-6) angle. But when I change the angle, and have a high fastball, they can't cheat down there all of the time." Paxton needs to prove he can stay healthy this year after missing major time the last two seasons. He's 27, and it's time to blossom already. He'll make his first spring start Wednesday as he competes with Nate Karns for the fifth spot in the rotation.