Pitching Mechanics
Understanding Pitching Injuries and Proper Mechanics
If you are a baseball coach or player, or the parent of a pitcher, watch below to learn about the safeties and dangers of pitching preparation, mechanics, and injuries. Yesterday I joined Sport Kinesiologist Angel Borrelli and Joe Castellano on the “It’s Your Pitch” Spreecast, and we discussed the following (among other topics): – How [...]
Who’s Next for Mets Bullpen?
The Mets bullpen now is 28th out of 30 in MLB in ERA (4.48), 28th in batting average against (.264), 27th in OPS allowed (.748), and 26th in WHIP (1.47). They do, however, lead all of MLB in one category: stolen bases allowed (25). Clearly, some changes need to be made in terms of personnel. [...]
Mike Pelfrey Pitched with Rotator Cuff Strain
A little tidbit in the Daily News: “I had a strained rotator cuff and a strained posterior capsule almost the whole season,” Pelfrey told the Daily News Thursday Further … Pelfrey said the Mets did not pressure him into pitching through the injury, and that he did not consider it a risk. So he took [...]
What Happened To the Pitching Philosophy?
Last night I watched the Mets 1967 Yearbook (god love the DVR). They showed clips of Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, and Jon Matlack, among others. Something I kept seeing, over and over, with every pitcher in a Mets uniform, was this: – a step back behind the rubber that started momentum going forward – legs [...]
Is Jenrry Mejia a Good or Bad Example of Mets Minor League System?
Hard-throwing Jenrry Mejia symbolizes what is possible from the minor league system organized, maintained, and overseen by Omar Minaya. But is that a good thing or a bad thing? Mejia was signed by the Mets out of the Dominican Republic at the tender age of 17 — an age when most youngsters in the USA [...]
A Stiff Neck Could Be Good for Pelfrey
Mike Pelfrey was bumped from his Friday night start in San Francisco due to a stiff neck he suffered on the cross-country plane ride to the Left Coast. Ironically, I would argue that a stiff neck is exactly what Big Pelf needs to return to his first-half form. Well, maybe more a stiff back than [...]
Pelfrey’s Dead Arm Explained
Mike Pelfrey is not struggling with a “dead arm” issue, despite what he thinks and despite what the Mets’ dinosaurs coaching staff would like us to believe. If Mike Pelfrey has a problem that is affecting his performance, it is a mechanical flaw that has crept up here and there sporadically since last spring. It’s [...]
Analysis: Matt Harvey
With the 7th overall selection in the draft, the Mets chose Mystic, CT resident, Scott Boras client, and North Carolina Tar Heel Matt Harvey. Was it a good pick? Who knows? There have been some comparisons to Mike Pelfrey, which I don’t get — at least, not based on the video I’ve seen. Generally, it’s [...]
Warthen and Ojeda See the Same Things About Niese
From yours truly on MetsToday, in the Game 13 post: It appears as though his arm slot has dropped from straight overhand to more three-quarter, which can be a better angle for getting movement, but takes bite away from his best pitch, the curveball. That angle also was causing him to get “under” the ball, [...]
Maine Will Revert to Old Ways
Believe it or not, the Mets had a communications breakdown prior to last night’s ballgame. To get the full story, listen to Rich Coutinho’s report on 1050ESPNRadio’s “Baseball Tonight” (Coutinho comes on at the tail end, during the last 10 minutes or so). The gist of it was this: When asked if Maine would remain [...]
John Maine’s Chronic Mechanical Problem
Absolutely nothing has changed with John Maine since I wrote this post in late July 2008: I Can Fix Maine in 10 Minutes. Mind you, this was before Maine’s shoulder problems arose (though if you read the post the injury was predicted). I had hopes that the issue was understood and being addressed last spring, [...]
Oliver Perez and Release Points
NOTE: This is a guest post by Matt Himelfarb. Jerry Manuel deserves credit for usually putting a humorous spin on another of Oliver Perez’s dreadful outings. I always picture him lying back in the manager’s office at Citi Field, his hands clasped behind his head, telling reporters “Ollie’s in a funk right now” and sounding [...]
Johan Santana is Fixed
According to Dan Warthen — by way of Adam Rubin and other media outlets — Johan Santana had a very good bullpen session, during which he addressed and fixed an issue with his pitching motion. From Rubin’s blog: Pitching coach Dan Warthen feels Johan Santana adequately addressed the mechanical flaw in his delivery during a [...]
What’s Wrong with Johan Santana?
Johan Santana’s velocity is down, as is his command. One thing I notice is his arm dragging behind slightly — it’s out of sync with his hips, and as a result the hips and legs are driving forward a hair too early, and therefore not helping to power the ball. The question is, why is [...]
Oliver Perez: Pitch Now, Talk Later
There’s been a lot of talk surrounding Oliver Perez lately — from his coach, his teammates, and himself. Enough of the jibber-jabber, it’s time for Ollie to concentrate on pitching. There will be time for talk later — when it will be much more productive.
