Josh Thole’s Catching Stance
RED FLAG ALERT!
Take a look at the above photo, taken in Port St. Lucie from yesterday’s intrasquad game by Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog. It’s Josh Thole in his “runners on” catching stance.
Notice the flat back, weight forward on the balls of the feet (and off the heels), arms extended out in front. It’s classic, 1970s positioning, made famous by the likes of Johnny Bench.
And it’s wrong.
That’s right — Johnny Bench, the greatest catcher who ever lived — used an improper, inefficient catching stance.
If you didn’t think I was off my rocker when criticizing Sandy Koufax last week, then surely you believe I’ve gone bonkers on this one. Read more
Igarashi Wants to Throw 100 MPH
Newly signed import Ryota Igarashi is the owner of the fastest ball thrown in Japan, a 98-MPH heater. However, his goal is to hit triple digits, and he believes the harder clay mounds in the USA will give him that opportunity (do they play on sand in Japan?).
From Yakyubaka.com:
Ryota Igarashi is apparently interested in trying to hit 100mph on the radar gun. And part of what might allow that ambition to come to fruition might have to do with the harder mounds.
“I love it. There’s nothing wrong with hard mounds, and I think it’ll help my delivery. All the necessary elements for throwing hard are present,” said Igarashi.
The harder mounds will apparently provide Igarashi with more stability on his landing foot, allowing him to generate more arm velocity.
Igarashi also said that he’d like to try and pick up a two-seamer to complement his pitches.
That Igarashi is talking about a harder surface to throw from tells me he understands the importance of the lower half. To me this is interesting because here in the USA most youngsters, coaches, and even some pros tend to over-emphasize “arm strength” — when in reality, velocity comes more from the use of momentum and the proper timing and action of the torso. Yes the arm speed and action also plays a part, but in the Western World I believe it’s given too much attention.
Ron Swoboda on Outfield Play
Before Endy Chavez, “The Catch” in Mets history referred to the diving snare made by Ron Swoboda in the 1969 World Series.
I had the great pleasure of talking to Ron about that catch and how he turned himself — through hard work, pride, and dedication — into a Major League outfielder capable of making one of the most legendary catches in the history of New York baseball.
If you are an outfielder, a parent of an outfielder, or a baseball coach, you must listen to this podcast, because Ron provides plenty of tips and techniques on how to play the outfield — and he pulls no punches (there’s one part where he criticizes Shane Victorino!).
You can listen to the podcast through iTunes or at the OnBaseball.com site here:
Ron Swoboda on Outfield Play
Ryota Igarashi: Mechanical Evaluation
The Mets and Ryota Igarashi have reached an agreement on a two-year deal.
The 30-year-old Japanese hurler is expected to compete for the setup role in front of Francisco Rodriguez. I’ve never seen him pitch (other than the video below) and therefore cannot comment on his skillset or demeanor. However, Patrick Newman of the outstanding NPBTracker has a detailed profile on Igarashi.
According to Newman, Igarashi used to AVERAGE 96+ MPH, and topped out at 98. That was a few years ago, however, and his velocity has dropped a bit — but still nears the mid-90s. He complements the heater with a splitter, and he might also mix in a slider and curve. His one negative is control. That said, he might turn out to be somewhere between Fernando Rodney and Jorge Julio. I’m going to keep my expectations low, with the hopes of being pleasantly surprised. If he’s as good as the reports say, this is a good signing for the Mets, who need all the relief help they can find.
Here he is in action:
As far as his mechanics go, I like his over-the-top release point and subsequent loose, relaxed arm action. He also stays on a straight line and keeps the front side closed (doesn’t over-rotate for velocity), using his torso / hips and legs efficiently. He also usually gets his head forward, low, and ahead of the front knee at release — what’s called “nose to toes”, and is reminiscent of the “drop and drive” motion that Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman used. What’s bothersome is that he sometimes pulls his throwing hand back and up — like a rubber band reaction — after release, rather than letting it complete the follow-through past his front knee. This is cutting off the deceleration of his arm, and puts significant strain on the shoulder. However he doesn’t do it all the time (it seems), so it may not be an issue. I also don’t love the way he kind of hooks or curls his arm, pointing the elbow up, as he brings the ball out of the glove and back (some people call this “short arming” — it’s similar to how Henry Owens and Keith Foulke used to bring the ball back). It’s an unnecessary strain on both the elbow and the shoulder and so it’s no surprise that he underwent Tommy John surgery two years ago. That said, he should have at least two years on the “new” elbow before it blows out again. Additionally, that shortarming / hooking seems to be something that is more pronounced when he’s throwing the curve / slider, which may “telegraph” the pitch to the batter.
One point to consider is whether his splitter will be affected by the change in baseballs. Though the official circumference of the ball is 9 inches, supposedly MLB balls tend to be manufactured slightly larger — up to 9.25 inches. Additionally, in Japan they still use horsehide to cover the balls while here it’s cowhide, which can feel “slippery” in comparison. It may not sound like a big deal but spreading the fingers slightly more for the split could pose problems — or, the slippery feel could create more action. We’ll find out soon enough.
Reese Havens: Swing Evaluation
The 22nd pick of the 2008 draft — shortstop Reese Havens — has quickly emerged as one of the Mets’ top prospects.
He is a strong all-around player, both in terms of talent and sound fundamentals, and has the “makeup” that scouts adore. Recently, the Mets decided to move him from his natural shortstop position to second base — presumably to accelerate his path to the big leagues.
A solidly built middle infielder, his promotion to MLB will be tied directly to his bat. He has had trouble keeping his average above .250 and making contact, but he’s shown some pop. I’m very high on him because he’s a grinder and plays the game the right way, but he definitely needs to continue developing as a hitter to make the ultimate jump.
That said, I took a close look at his swing, using video from his stint in the Cape Cod League and more recent footage shot by Toby Hyde in the Arizona Fall League (thanks Toby!). With help from someone who teaches hitting for a living, we came to the conclusion that he has room for improvement — which is a good thing.
You can see the videos and read the evaluation of Reese Havens’s swing at OnBaseball.com. For the most part it’s a good swing, but he has one major flaw that, if corrected, can unleash his true potential as a power hitter (i.e., become the next Jeff Kent).
If you are a player or coach, you may learn something useful from the videos and article that you can apply to your next practice session.
Listen To a Pro Baseball Scout
What exactly does a pro baseball scout look for when evaluating a ballplayer? What kinds of things does a scout consider, in addition to raw baseball skills? How can an amateur ballplayer attract the interest of a pro scout?
Find out by listenting to an interview I did with Tyrone Brooks, a professional baseball scout for the Cleveland Indians and formerly the Director of Baseball Operations and Baseball Administration with the Atlanta Braves (he was part of those 14 straight division championships).
One of the interesting topics he discusses is how and why Ryan Howard slipped to the fifth round of the 2001 draft.
I know, it’s not a Mets-specific topic, but it should be intriguing to hear from someone who came from the Braves organization and evaluates players for a living. It’s particularly enlightening for amateur ballplayers and their parents.
Follow this link to hear it:
What Do Pro Baseball Scout Look For When Evaluating Players
Podcast with a Pro On Pitching
Do you know what LHP is the all-time leader with the fewest walks per 9 innings since 1900? Hint: it’s not Johan Santana.
A few weeks ago I had a conversation on pitching with the lefthanded pitcher with the best control in MLB history — Read more
Can the Mets Use a Mental Coach?
If you are a Mets fan, you are all-too-familiar with:
- Mike Pelfrey’s “yips”
- Oliver Perez’s “Jekyll and Hyde” routine
- Frequent mental lapses on the bases and in the field
- Team-wide choking that led to late-season collapses in 2007 and 2008
- Finger-pointing and under-the-bus throwing by players
These issues were running through my mind while having a conversation with Jim Fannin, a “mental coach” whose client list includes MLBers such as Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Casey Blake, Alex Cora, Carlos Delgado, Barry Zito, and many others. You can listen to the published podcast of this conversation at my baseball instruction website, OnBaseball.com. Could the Mets benefit from hiring someone to help with their mental preparation?
Download the podcast, give it a listen, and post your comments back here.
David Wright is Unorthodox?
At first I thought this was the reason Wright played on the high holy day of Yom Kippur. Then I realized I had read the quote too quickly, and also realized Wright isn’t Jewish (though he and many Mets had plenty to atone for).
Jerry Manuel had this to say about David Wright’s problems at the plate, per The Daily News:
“There are some mechanical issues we are trying to address with him,” Manuel said. “David is a gifted, unorthodox type of hitter. Sometimes what you find is that type of hitter has stretches of being really, really hot and stretches of not being very good. Because you’re unorthodox, when you’re not good, everybody can point out flaws. That’s kind of the trick or the difficulty you have in trying to make those corrections.”
I’m not sure what it is about Wright’s hitting that is “unorthodox”. To me his swing looks pretty solid, with mechanics that are similar to that of many other good hitters. At times he has a bit of a loop, but it’s no more pronounced than any other big league hitter. In fact at one point while discussing Wright’s style, my good friend (and former MLB scout) Lar Gilligan of Akadema / ProPlayer Academy commented that D-Wright “looks almost TOO mechanical, TOO ‘textbook’ — it’s like his swing is a direct product of constant training at a hitting school”.
David Lennon posted this additional quote from Manuel:
“It’s a little loop that will make him susceptible to balls up and in,” Manuel said. “There seems to be a lot of pitches recently that have been right where he’s looking and he’s fouling them off.”
I’m still not getting what is “unorthodox”. A loopy swing may be considered by some hitting instructors as a flaw, but there are just as many who think a “little loop” is perfectly fine, and necessary to lift the ball (as in, over the fence) and generate bat speed. Heck, Ted Williams felt a slight uppercut (the product of a loop) was necessary in order to defend against the baseball coming at the batter on a downward plane from the mound. In any case it’s not unusual.
This is not to say I disagree with Jerry Manuel. Rather, I’d like him to further elaborate on what he means by “unorthodox”. Saying he has a “loop” isn’t enough to differentiate him from anyone else — and it’s certainly not a Dave Kingman-like loop, when it occurs (I see a mix of “loops” and short strokes directly to the ball — both during his hot streaks and his cold streaks). Perhaps there is something unusual about his mental approach? Or the way he zones for pitches? Inquiring minds want to know.
Fernandog Revisited
First off, I am absolutely stunned by every spineless apologist out there defending Fernando Martinez for his disgraceful lack of effort on his infamous popup off of Wil Nieves’ chest two nights ago.
Second, I would like to point out that it wasn’t a “one time thing”, nor “a mistake that won’t happen again”. Because it DID HAPPEN AGAIN, and in fact it happened on his very next at-bat, only moments after the Citi Field crowd treated the youngster to a chorus of boos.
If you weren’t at the park, then you didn’t see the young millionaire once again watch his popup — this time to centerfield — and JOG halfway up the first base line, while, ironically, rookie Justin Maxwell was busting his tail trying to catch the blooper. It wasn’t until Martinez noticed that Maxwell might not catch the fly ball that he started to run hard. Again, you did not see that, because the TV camera was focused on Maxwell making a sliding catch.
Which brings up another thing: if you don’t have the opportunity to watch this team in person, then you only see about 10% of the game — the 10% that Emmy Award Winning producer Bill Webb thinks you should be seeing. You therefore miss:
- every time an outfielder misses a cutoff man;
- every time a pitcher fails to back up a base;
- every time a position player fails to back up a base;
- every time a batter watches the ball in flight off his bat, instead of busting it out of the box;
- outfielders not re-positioning themselves from batter to batter
- infielders not re-positioning themselves from pitch to pitch
- cutoff men who are out of position, or not in position at all
- runners who get poor leads
- runners who get poor secondary leads
- runners who do not pay attention to their base coaches
- runners who do not properly read an outfielder’s route to the ball, and don’t take an extra base
- on-deck hitters who do not clear bats and do not tell the incoming runner whether and where to slide
There are other “little” things that you may or may not see on your TV, but if you never played baseball then you may have no idea why I’m making a “big” deal out of these “little” things. And you’re excused for your ignorance, because from the focus of the centerfield camera, you’re led to believe that the most important things are homeruns and strikeouts.
But the truth is, there’s more to baseball than that. Just because the dungeons and dragons nerds sabermetricians haven’t yet created a stat for “missed cutoffs on balls in play”, doesn’t mean such acts can’t affect the outcome of a game. They do. They’re called “fundamentals”, and they often go hand in hand with “winning”. That is, until Bud Selig watered down the competition, allowed steroids and other PEDs to permeate the game, and changed the rules so that more balls would go flying over outfield fences. Even then, a few teams that specialized in executing fundamentals (Braves, Twins, Yankees of the late 1990s) were able to win consistently against the Moneyballers worshipping OBP and the three-run homer.
Times have changed, folks. Steroid testing has begun to wash out some of the derelicts, which in turn has slowed down bats and arms. Second basemen are no longer hitting 25 homers a year, and middle relievers are no longer able to throw 94 MPH on back-to-back-to-back days. Everyone is exposed, and the teams with weak fundamentals and/or less than 100% effort are losing games for those “little” deficiencies.
My friend Matt at MetsBlog noted last week, in regard to the Mets inattention to detail:
… it’s not rampant, but this sloppiness always seems to rear its ugly head at the worst times…
…the good news is that the Mets seem to be making less and less of these mistakes …
I don’t mean to call out Matt, but his comments are indicative of what many Mets fans see and think. The truth is, the Mets’ sloppiness, and lack of hustle, IS rampant, and they are making MORE and MORE of these fundamental “mistakes”. However, 95% of fans only notice these issues when they either a) lead to a run; or b) a TV announcer sees it and points it out on a replay from a camera angle that wasn’t used to capture the original/live action. The Mets are making mistakes, and not hustling, frequently — but you’ve only been made aware of it when it was blatant (F-Mart’s popup) or a potential game-changing play (i.e., Carlos Beltran not sliding). While your eye (or camera angle) is focused on following the ball, a number of other actions are occurring all over the field — it’s a fact, and not something to apologize for. But also, don’t take for granted that all those actions are happening as they are supposed to.
And here is my point: the Mets, for several years now, have developed a culture that excuses inattention to detail and, yes, a lack of hustle. The detail thing is part laziness, part lack of focus (some argue that they are one and the same). As a ballplayer myself, I don’t have a problem with physical errors — they happen. Mental errors are more difficult to excuse, but if a player is young and inexperienced, they’re tolerated — to a point. Players — and teams — can minimize mental errors through education, preparation, and simply paying attention. What can never, ever be tolerated, though, is lack of effort — because it is the one thing that every ballplayer has complete control over. Most Mets players often hustle, but few ALWAYS hustle.
In fact, the Mets have assembled a group of players that routinely take their foot off the gas pedal as they see fit. There’s a particular first baseman whose effort was so abominable that his manager once made a joke of his getting his pants dirty during a game. That “clubhouse leader” set the example for the younger players, some of whom are now also looked to as examples themselves. When you see the “leader” jog to first on a grounder to second base, you may believe that it’s OK, and acceptable, to do the same. And so on. Unless the “other” leader — the manager — does something to make clear that less than 100% will not be tolerated, all 25 players are free to approach the game as they see fit. Some guys may hustle, others may not. Some may put their full focus on the task at hand, some may not.
If you’ve watched the Mets over the past 2-3 seasons, and heard what’s been said by some of the players themselves, then you can’t argue that the Mets have given “their all”. For example, there are direct quotes from David Wright admitting that the team coasted through parts of 2007 and 2008, be it due to overconfidence, lack of intensity, or disinterest. In other words, the team has been so talented, it operated / operates as if controlled by an on/off switch: they coast along through the schedule, and “turn it on” when they think they need to. Several times this year we’ve seen them play down to the level of their competition — they just did it against the Nationals, but were lucky to have enough talent to still sweep them.
In a way, you can’t necessarily blame Fernando Martinez for dogging it. After all, he’s approaching a big league game in the same way he’s seen the veterans approach one. What Met could have taken F-Mart aside and said, “hey kid, you have to run everything out, all the time — that’s what we do here.” ? Martinez would have laughed out loud and responded with, “oh yeah? Tell that to guy on the crutches, or the backup catcher, or any of a dozen other guys who I’ve seen dog it, plenty of times”. Jerry Manuel should have disciplined Martinez immediately, but didn’t, perhaps partially because he’d never discipline any of his stars. And before you say “all Major Leaguers dog it here and there” or “no MLB manager benches star players for lack of hustle”, ask Jimmy Rollins what Charlie Manuel did to him the last time Rollins didn’t run out an infield popup.
Here’s the thing — the Mets have enough talent to stay in the hunt through September, despite their lack of focus, their mental errors, their poor fundamentals, and their frequent lack of hustle. They might even have enough pure talent to get into the postseason. But is that the team you want to root for? One that succeeds despite giving less than their best?
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