"Throws Like A Girl"

Funny how that sounds, but you can't say that about fast pitch softball pitchers. Whether they use windmill, the whip, etc., these gals AND guys can bring it...seemingly with ease. That's not surprising seeing that throwing underhand is the most natural way of throwing due to the way the human body is built which allows for a better range of motion, and throwing overhand is really not a natural movement at all due to a limited range of motion... despite it being possible to learn.

Overhand pitchers haven't had a 'hazardous to your arm health' warning label attached to them yet, but IF the percentage of injured MLB starters during a season keeps rising (currently at 50%), expect to see an influx of submarine style pitchers in big league uniforms in the future.

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THE TRADE

In what will be now known as 'The Trade'...at least for awhile:

Somebody asked me what I thought about "the trade".

My response was, "Sorry, I haven't gotten up off the floor yet."

MLB GMs Are Willing To Play Russian Roulette For Starting Pitchers This Winter

Or why not to go to Vegas with some of the more desperate general managers.

Maybe it is the end times when you see what some of the teams are willing to spend on proven and even unproven starting pitchers (Garza, Tanaka, etc.). I can understand paying pitchers with sound mechanics like Kershaw, C. Lee, Verlander, and a few others what they are worth ("fair"market value)...they are less likely to break down and can be projected to have lengthy careers, but the majority of free agent pitchers that are available this winter DO NOT fit in that category. Yet, they are probably going to see a big pay day because the GMs have over valued their worth and are driving the prices higher with the bidding wars. It is a very predictable outcome when you know what's going to happen to these pitchers next season. I just had to get this off my chest as I've reached my frustration level already with this winter's hot stove league.

Common sense & good judgment are dead, and insanity reigns in MLB.

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Los Angeles Dodgers Newly Signed Cuban INF Alexander Guerrero

Alexander Guerrero

Bats Right, Throws Right

Height 5' 11", Weight 205 lb.

Born December 20, 1986

The Dodgers have signed Cuban shortstop Alexander Guerrero to a four-year, $28 million deal. It’ll be interesting to see him adapt to second base. He has good hands as a fielder and seems to approach grounders well with a keen instinct for fielding them on the short hop.

He has an above average arm, but uses multiple arm angles and feeds instead of staying on top with his throws. My first thought after watching him was that he could give Domingo Ayala a lesson or two on crazy flips and throws. The Dodgers will make efforts to break him from his throwing habits or make sure there’s plenty of mustard on hand for his games.

As a hands hitter, I’m surprised at how much bat speed Alexander generates. He had some decent power stats while he played in Cuba. Hands hitters that swing for power generally aren’t as consistent of a hitter as compared to a slot position hitter. His batting average over the years reflects that, but he has some pop when he does connect.

I envision him struggling with major league pitching if he stays with his current approach and swing. All the above being said, I can’t wait to see what he looks like in Spring Training 2014.

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Veterans Day Salute

We salute all the veterans for their service   

to our country...past, present, and future.

Did You Know...

after taking their strides that hitters and pitchers lower body movements are the same during their hip rotation phase, and hitters and pitchers can decrease rotary inertia and increase hip rotation with a simple additional movement?

To learn more...

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New York Yankees' RHP Michael Pineda's OIP Pitching Mechanics Evaluation

Michael Pineda

Height: 6-7

Weight: 260

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Jan 18, 1989 - Yaguate, Dominican Republic

College: None

Draft: None

Signed as a 16 year old out of the Dominican Republic by the Seattle Mariners, Michael has already developed into an All Star caliber pitcher. In the 2011 All Star game he had American League fans and team mates drooling, as he had over powered and dominated the National League hitters he faced in a much too short of an appearance. In early 2012 the Mariners sent him to the Yankees in a multi-player deal, but there was speculation in Spring Training that he, along with Jose Campos, were damaged goods.

The big right hander had a plus + fastball (was mid to upper 90’s with plenty of movement before his injury…now tops out in the mid 90’s on good days), an improving slider and change up.

His development has smoothed out some of the violent movements that he had in his delivery when he was younger. His mechanics now allow him to have more durability as a starting pitcher and is projected to be able to eat more innings this season. I’ve been impressed with Pineda’s ability to maximize his leg drive in his delivery. This means his back leg is fully extended before he turns and rotates to throw. Using his legs in his delivery in this manner will allow him to be pumping out power pitches deep into his outings. As far as his “fall away” follow through is concerned, it resembles a cross between C.C. Sabathia and Bob Gibson. He doesn’t end up in the best fielding position because of the fall away...you just gotta hope he never gets nailed by a line drive back through the middle, but he should make the Yankees starting rotation in 2014.

Leg Extension:  No points deducted

Hip Rotation:  -14

Follow Through:  -7

OIP (Overall Injury Probability):  21%

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