Chicago Cubs' RHP Jeff Samardija OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -7

Hip Rotation: -3

Follow Through: -10

Other: -12 (throws slightly across his body and general wear and rear)

OIP (Overall Injury Probability): 32%

Atlanta Braves' Reliever RHP Jordan "The Jumper" Walden OIP Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -20

Hip Rotation: -17

Follow Through: -15

Other: -10

OIP: 62%

Consensus: Has an arm, but is a major breakdown away due to his poor pitching mechanics.

Shameless Self Promotion

Texas, United States

Independent Baseball Scout. Baseball Consultant to Sports Agents. Owner/Operator of DPBI CHAMPIONSHIP HITTING. Inventor of Timing Activation, OIP (Overall Injury Probability), the ATTAXE Training Bat, and the Soap Bubble Batting T. I have 31 years of continuous membership in the ABCA(American Baseball Coaches Association). 13 Year Past Member Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association. EX HS and COLLEGE BASEBALL COACH and EX MLB SCOUT. From 1989-1996, I was involved in pro scouting before deciding to focus on private hitting instruction. I have had the opportunity to work with all levels of hitters over the years.

Pitching With Pine Tar

What's the difference between the rosin bag and pine tar?

Aren't they both used for grip? And what makes pine tar the "illegal" substance?

Gary asks

my response:

Rosin is a drying agent. However, using pine tar with rosin will allow the pitcher to have the ability to put extra spin (bite) on the ball...especially on their breaking pitches.

New York Yankees' LHP Vidal Nuno OIP Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -13

Hip Rotation: -15

Follow Through: -12

Other: -10

OIP: 50%

Consensus: Not a true number 5 starter since he will not eat enough innings due to poor mechanics. His future may be more valuable as a lefty specialist in the bullpen.

Explanation on why Tim Lincecum was the best pitcher in baseball 5 years ago and now considered one of the worse?

Lincecum was a 2 time Cy Young winner, led the league in strikeouts 3 times, had his ERA below 2.75 three times and was once considered the ace of the Giants pitching staff.

The past 2 years, he's loss 29 games and this season, his ERA is 9.90!

What gives? What happen to him and will be make come back?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdZ_9DJD3EM
Leonard asks
my answer:
It's scar tissue in his rotator cuff group that's caused a reduction in his velocity, and that can happen to any pitcher...especially pitchers with mechanics issues.

How do I break in my catchers mitt square?

I want a square pocket on my catchers mitt so what's the best way to break it in square?

Wells inquires

my response:

In professional baseball the catcher's mitt pocket is broken in with a sledge hammer with a sawed off handle. They place the back of the mitt on top off a folded towel on a grass area off the playing field and hammer the pocket until they get the desired shape.

Why are a lot of pitchers so tall?

Paul asks

my answer:

Pitchers under six feet tall don't have as much movement on their fastballs as taller pitchers do when they get older and lose velocity.

Ice, Ice Baby...Not

Any advice on icing my arm for baseball?

Greg asked

my reply:

Baseball trainers do not do this and haven't for more than a decade. The thinking is that it was damaging for the pitching arm to have the capillaries constricted by icing, and it did not facilitate the metabolites removal that was caused by the pitching. The trainers now have pitchers warm up after the game and throw a light session to increase circulation to remove the metabolites. This is followed by stretching to squeeze the waste out of the lymph nodes along with plenty of drinking water. 

Say What?!

IS IT BETTER TO BE NOT GET PLAYING TIME ON A D1 COLLEGE BASEBALL TEAM, OR IS IT BETTER TO GET PLAYING TIME ON A D2 OR D3 TEAM ?

Ben asks

my response:

Reality check...it's impossible to see how much talent a position player or pitcher has with him sitting on the bench.
Just FYI-a prospect's motivation and make up is factored in on the scouting report. It carries a little weight, but if you're on the bubble with a (49-50) OFP...that question would possibly DQ you as a NP or a zero. 
However, if you don't want to be drafted or have any interest in playing professional baseball, being a bench player on D1 team might be a better situation for you.

Uncharted territory: in all my years around the game, this is the first time I've heard a question like this. Kudos.

Hitches and Dropping Hands

How can I improve my baseball swing if I drop my hands? My last two coaches have talked to me about how my hands drop in my swing and I try to fix it but I can t. I am using a bbcor bat so it s not too heavy for me because it s the lightest available.

Hank inquired

my response:

There are many training aids available on the market to cure dropping the hands and the torque destroying knob to the ball (unless you desire to be a hands hitter a.k.a. linear hitter).
My top 3 favorite aids are Gillespie Hitting Vest, Jack Mankin's Connector, and the Jaime Cevallos' MP30 Training Bat.

Rays' RHP Chris Archer OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Leg Extension: -17

Hip Rotation: -12

Follow Through: -6

Other: -10  (Wear and Tear, etc.)

OIP (Overall Injury Probability): 45%