New York Yankees LHP Manny Banuelos' OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Manny Banuelos

Position: LHP     Birthdate: 3/23/1991

Height: 5'10" and sometimes listed as 5'11”

Weight: 165 lbs to 175 lbs... depending on which baseball program, yearbook, or bio writer you get, but he looks like he’s filled out from last year’s listing.

B/T: L/L

Signed as an International Free Agent in 2008 by the Yankees out of Mexico
Manny may be young in age, but the first thing you notice about him is that he pitches older than he is. He has mastered cool, calm, and collected. If Fonzie had been a pitcher, he would have been Manny Banuelos.

He is consistently fluid in his delivery which starts with a very deliberate, almost robotic-like, effort to stay balanced while getting into a strong power position. This produces a smooth, effortless delivery with no signs of rushing.

The next thing you notice about Manny is that possesses a plus fastball (I’ve seen him hit 96 on the gun), a plus curve, and a plus change. What’s not to like with a lefthander with this much talent, es verdad? Okay, here's his downside.

Well, this season he has struggled a little more with walks and some injuries. I would like to see him with a deeper follow through because he has a tendency to finish a little high. This is probably the reason he has struggled with the other 3 C’s (command, control, and confidence).

With a few specific, but necessary adjustment to his mechanics, he’ll improve his accuracy on his fastball, especially, and maybe get a little more bite on an already good curve. Spring Training 2014 will see if seasoning has polished this hurler to premier status... which he has the potential to be.

Caveat:  While I appreciate his Fonzie demeanor on the mound, I’d love to see him “channel” a little more Whitey Ford instead. If he can do this in the future, expect Manny Banuelos to be one of the better starters in the Yankees’ rotation unless he's used as part of a trade package to fill other holes in the Yankees' line up. 

Leg Extension: -3

Hip Rotation: -5

Follow Through: -9

OIP (Overall Injury Probability):  17%

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