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March 5, 2014 13-14 Offseason Joe Janish

Mets ST Game 5: Astros

Mets win two in a row in Florida. If they win one more, that’s called a “winning streak.”

Curtis Granderson flashed the power that convinced the Mets to offer him a Jason Bay-like contract in the offseason, as he hit two laser beams over the right field fence.

Zack Wheeler hurled three shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out three. He threw a few decent change-ups and a few good-looking curveballs, which was nice to see. What wasn’t nice to see was that his motion slowed a bit when throwing the curve — to my eyes, anyway — and his arm remains behind with his forearm parallel to the ground (not good) when his front foot strikes the ground. He looked like he was over-striding, and during an interview afterward, he admitted to over-striding, but at the same time, that over-stride gave his arm a little more time to get to the right spot, so it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. He needs to find a way to get his hand to what might be called a “launch” position when his front foot hits the ground — this will both take pressure off of his arm as well as increase velocity by better integrating his lower half.

Erik Goeddel didn’t have a great outing, neither did Vic Black, who after getting a quick third out in the sixth, had trouble finding the plate in the seventh. Kyle Farnsworth allowed one hit and no runs in an inning of work, but was unable to crack 90 MPH. I’m not sure Farnsworth has the command to consistently get away with 87-89 MPH velocity.

Not too much else to report, though I admit to fast-forwarding through most of the Mets hitters and focusing primarily on the pitchers. It’s hard to make any kind of analysis on offense / hitting in the spring, since one or two at-bats are too random and inconclusive. Pitching isn’t exactly easy to analyze, either, but I feel like more can be seen by a pitcher throwing 20-50 pitches than a batter taking 4-6 swings.

What did you see? Answer in the comments.

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
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  1. meticated March 5, 2014 at 7:24 am
    Joe, I just watched Dr. MikeMarshalls’ video on biomechanics of pitching…cogent argument on many elements…if he’s correct…there’s a revolution in the works…although baseball and its movers are unlikely to adapt wholesale changes,,,ive seen his pitching in action and its remarkably efficient and injury free..how can we argue with pure science…apparently we are using the wrong tendons and ligaments in the traditional method…why not begin at least a working experiment?
    • Joe Janish March 5, 2014 at 6:14 pm
      Dr. Mike Marshall has been operating on an island for over 20 years now — even scientists / non-baseball people have major disagreements with his theories.

      That’s not to say Marshall is wrong, but, rather, that currently, he has few if any supporters in the world of science (he’ll never get any in the alter world of baseball).

      Scientists HAVE, however, agreed on a number of points and issues related to pitching — many of which we talk about here, regularly. Unfortunately, most of baseball is only paying attention to half of the science — the quantitative part. There’s another, just as important half — qualitative — that no one is accepting. The qualitative analysis and troubleshooting is what can save pitchers from injury.

  2. DaveSchneck March 5, 2014 at 7:59 am
    Joe, in the world or Met fans two wins in a row is a winning streak. Given most of us have been starving for games for a few months, it is easy to overreact to performances that are essentially practice. That said, I am not sure why I have seen Vic Black annointed as the eighth inning pitcher. Yeah he throws hard, so did Manny Acosta. To me they have no eighth inning pitcher and they have no shortstop. Lastly, i would trust Lannan at 87-89 mph but I don’t see that Far nsworth has any track record indicating he could have success as a finesse pitcher.
    • Joe Janish March 5, 2014 at 6:06 pm
      I have also been amazed by the excitement for Vic Black. I don’t get it. But, it fits the Mets fan phenomenon of creating extremely high expectations based on the slightest shred of positive performance; maybe it could be called “Argenis Reyes Disease.” Remember how everyone was so excited about Argenis Reyes? Even Keith Hernandez was fueling the fire, saying “he’s always in the middle of everything!”

      Black looks like he has potential to be a decent bullpen arm, but anointing him the 8th inning guy and expecting him to be a lights-out reliever — after seeing him pitch all of 13 September innings? Too much.

      If Lannan can stay healthy he should be a valuable asset, as a starter or reliever.

  3. CleonJames March 5, 2014 at 11:42 am
    Other blogs are getting all excited. However, Granderson is not that good. Not a very deep comment, just my mantra.
    • Robert March 5, 2014 at 5:39 pm
      Granderson is not that good compared to what? The Mets have had butchers out there in the outfield, and desperately need some pop in that lineup. Granderson is a professional outfielder with pop. He’s a perfect fit for this team. They don’t need him to put up MVP numbers, just be a competent outfielder, good clubhouse guy and add some pop. He’ll do all three
  4. david March 5, 2014 at 8:19 pm
    Vic Black to Mariners for Franklin sounds good. Lots of bullpen options, but hard to see which ones are any good? Carreno seems ready for a shot, Reid looks like a bum, Farnsworth sounds cooked, Velvarde is anyone’s guess but given relieves on/off track record he is due for a good year. I really want Familia in the pen and Lannan or Meija should be a lock. I hope Dice-K gets cut. And Edgin is a mystery like many of these guys. Anyone seem Walters pitch? He seems to be te X man, but I am going on B Mets performance which showed he has the makings of a closer.