That ran his scoreless-inning streak to 22.
The 2017 ninth-round pick out of Virginia Tech last allowed a run June 24.
Since then, he has struck out 17 and walked only one in three outings.
After seven shutting out Lake County over seven innings July 4, he said his improving outcomes were a result of a change to his delivery.
Naughton adjusted his positioning on the rubber, reduced his movement and is now able to attack the strike zone better and throw more breaking pitches for strikes. He has his timing back and his arm isn't lagging behind his body. Before, Naughton's delivery made him much easier to hit.
Self-confidence has helped, too.
“You can never doubt yourself — that’s your worst enemy,” Naughton said. “Your biggest tool as a pitcher should be your aggressiveness and your conviction in each pitch you throw.”
On the season, Naughton is 4-8 with a 4.10 ERA. The 22-year-old leads the Dragons with 85 strikeouts.
Newest @DragonsBaseball pitcher already has something in common with Aroldis Chapman, Hunter Greene https://t.co/AREiBZTp8x
— daytonsports (@daytonsports) July 6, 2018
After a weekend in Chicago that quickly went from delicious to disaster for the @Reds, it’s good to remember what Joey Votto said about fool’s gold https://t.co/laahHuwMoH pic.twitter.com/3Bc6vXHH6A
— daytonsports (@daytonsports) July 9, 2018
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