Brewers relief pitcher Will Smith is targeting 80 appearances in 2015 after sharing the league lead with 78 appearances last season, the Journal Sentinel reports.
"I'll tell (manager) Ron (Roenicke) that I want 80 this year," he said.
Smith excelled early last season before struggling during the middle part of the year while he was carrying a heavy workload. However, he was able to bounce back in September. Smith took part in a different type of offseason workout in an attempt to strengthen his legs, allowing him to stay stronger longer.
"I take pride in having really strong legs that can last all year, and I worked really hard this offseason on a squat program that our trainer put us through," Smith said. "Last year we’d do more two sets of 10 and not as heavy. This year we did five sets of two and it’s heavy, heavy weight. We did back squats, front squats – we did them all. A lot of high weight, and it was intense. It hurt some days. I live on the third floor of my apartment complex and walking up the stairs I’d be like, ‘Oh, this is tough.’ But it was fun. I had a good time with it."
Roenicke indicated that the team won't tread lightly when the team needs Smith on the mound.
"When we need him, we’ll pitch him," Roenicke said. "And as long as he performs like he did last year, he’s going to get some very important innings for us and I really don’t think I need to go easy with him."