“He’s ready,” Bruce Bochy said after Wednesday’s game when asked about Brian Wilson’s outing, his second scoreless inning of the Spring. Actually, he probably isn’t in midseason form yet, for the simple fact that he retired all three batters he faced. Generally Wilson likes to spend a little more time working on his craft (increasing the risk of heart attack for all Giants fans during the ninth inning).
Turns out heart rate is a huge part of Wilson’s physical and mental preparation to pitch. He says that since his heart beats 140 times per minute when he’s pitching, he relies on interval training where he keeps his heart rate at around 160 bpm for 15 minute periods to “trick (his) body” into thinking he’s on the mound.
Wilson talked for quite a while after Wednesday’s outing against the Cleveland Indians about what it was like to shut down his workout regimen from August through November (doctor’s order). Check out the video to find out how his rehab process went and what kinds of exercises he always performs to keep his arm and body in shape.
Wilson’s next Spring Training outing comes on St. Patrick’s Day. When asked if that day has any special significance, Wilson had a typical answer, at least for him.