Zack Greinke USA Today Sports

Self-awareness is a beautiful thing. Zack Greinke has plenty of it.

He’s been calling his own pitches this spring. But that doesn’t mean he’s above occasionally shaking a pitch off.

Greinke did just that in his most recent outing.

It’s fine, because it worked. During his outing on Tuesday, he allowed just one run on one hit, striking out seven across four innings against the Cincinnati Reds. It was only the second run he’s given up all spring.

It appears he’s scheduled for at least two more outings for the Kansas City Royals before the season begins.

Greinke also has been a huge advocate of the new PitchCom technology. It was introduced to the league last season as an electronic device used by catchers to send signals to the pitcher on what to throw next. He loved it. Especially as a guy who would often think he could do a better job than his catchers.

He had a slight adjustment in the beginning. The muscle memory he created over his 19-year career, and beyond, with him looking down for signs, created a learning curve.

Greinke continues his career after signing a one-year contract with the Royals. The 39-year-old gets to create an opportunity that includes helping the younger pitchers as they get to learn from a former Cy Young Award winner.

Especially a guy of his personality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXQoNCxJIYs

About Jessica Kleinschmidt

Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.