Unusual delivery, unusual professional pitching path for Anthony Marzi of C.R. Kernels

CEDAR RAPIDS — It's an unusual pitching delivery.

Anthony Marzi of the Cedar Rapids Kernels takes the sign from his catcher straddling the rubber in what appears to be a stretch position. Then he suddenly switches and goes into a full windup.

He's left-handed and touches just the end of the rubber on the first-base side with his right cleat. By the time he has delivered the ball, his left foot is on the very side of the mound.

This three-quarters crossfire is unconventional, for sure, but it has gained him another opportunity in affiliated pro ball. One of which he seems to be making the most.

'Yeah, it's been an interesting journey,' Marzi said, after beating Peoria, 2-1, Sunday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Stadium. 'But I'm happy to be here.'

Pitcher Anthony Marzi of July 9, 2017

Pitcher Anthony Marzi of @CRKernels is ultimate funky lefty. This is where he ends up on mound after delivering a pitch. pic.twitter.com/HKFWKclYvr

— Jeff Johnson (@jeje66)

Marzi, 24, had his contract purchased by the parent Minnesota Twins two weeks ago from the New Britain Bees of the independent Atlantic League. He was among the leaders for starting pitchers in earned run average, despite being a younger and more inexperienced guy in a league interspersed with former major leaguers like Sean Burroughs and Jerry Sands.

The highest level Marzi had played previously was with the Rookie Gulf Coast League Yankees in 2015.

'It's awesome, why you play independent ball. To get that second shot,' Marzi said. 'So far it has been great. I love it here in Cedar Rapids, the Twins organization seems awesome. I got to meet (farm director) Brad Steil this week, and he seems like a great guy. I'm just thankful for the opportunity, and I hope to continue doing what I've been doing.'

Marzi has allowed just five hits and a run over two starts and 13 2/3 innings for Cedar Rapids, walking two and striking out 14. He gave up back-to-back singles that led to a run in the second inning Sunday, but that was it, both run-wise and hit-wise.

It was seven great innings with a fastball topping out at just 88 miles per hour. You call that pitching.

'Feeling great,' Marzi said. 'Just trying to pick up where I left off in New Britain. Pretty much the big theme of this year has been get ahead and stay ahead of hitters. Last year, I had some control issues early on a little bit, walked more guys than I was typically used to. So this year, I just wanted to get back to the basics of getting ahead of guys and staying ahead of guys.'

Kernels pitching coach J.P. Martinez was asked if he's ever seen a pitcher like Marzi, whose follow through takes him so far to the side of the mound.

'Jake Arrieta steps about that far,' Martinez said. 'I know that for years the Orioles tried to change Arrieta. They didn't like him throwing across his body. The Cubs let him do his thing, and a Cy Young happened. I'm not saying Marzi is going to win a Cy Young or anything. But he creates a little angle, is pretty aggressive inside. His slider is better than you think. He has a good feel for his changeup.'

Marzi went undrafted after pitching four years at the University of Connecticut, signing as a free agent with the New York Yankees in February of 2015. But he caught mononucleosis early in extended spring training that year and wasn't cleared to pitch until that August.

The Yankees released him after six scoreless relief appearances spanning 7 1/3 innings. He hooked on with New Britain, and you know the rest of his story.

'It's a little less structured, you're a little bit more on your own in independent ball,' Marzi said. 'The particular league I was playing in was very veteran heavy, a lot of former major leaguers. It was a very cool experience ... The competition level is second to none.'

The Kernels (49-39, 10-8 second half) won for the fourth consecutive time, scoring the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh on an Aaron Whitefield sacrifice fly. He homered for the 10th time this season to account for C.R.'s other run in the third.

The teams play again Monday afternoon at 12:05.

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