hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Jun 10, 2010 14:32:29 GMT -5
I think Hifi was was making light of the fact that people are saying his curveball doesn't has as much action on it compared to others. What Hifi doesn't seem to comprehend is when to properly use quotation marks. Yeah, after I wrote that I realized how that could have been confusing. I didn't mean that his curve ball didn't break, but that it was tremendously slow coming in there in the mid 80s. As for the fastball, there was an 8 or 10 minute segment on Sportscenter and they said that his 4 seamer was 97,98 and that his 2 seamer was about 94. Sure, the 4 seamer would "rise," while the 2 seamer would tail, normally away from lefties. As for the quote marks, I do know how to use them, but I admit that my statement was somewhat ambiguous, and if interpreted differently, then the quotes were unnecessary or even distracting.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Jun 10, 2010 14:34:22 GMT -5
Also, I heard John Smoltz interviewed on Dan Patrick, and he commented on how Strasburg was almost doing them a favor by going to the 2 seamer so often and that he expected that he would use the 4 seamer more down the road.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Jun 11, 2010 0:48:56 GMT -5
Hifi - Sportscenter was wrong. I can show you pitch f/x data if you like, but if his two-seamer is coming in at 94 -- he didn't throw a single one.
SirSaxa- Clyde and Fidrych aren't good comparables. Clyde had decent stuff but was wildly unprepared for the pros and came straight to the majors from Day 1 out of HS as a marketing move.
Fidrych was goofy and essentially lucky for one year. He didn't have Strasburg's stuff.
Now, the pessimistic comparables are fine -- Wood, Gooden, JR Richard. But they are all injury related.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Jun 11, 2010 0:54:23 GMT -5
Here's the data: Pitch F/xThere's two possible explanations (keep in mind pitch classifications are an algorithmically defined definition). 1) He threw 2 2 seamers at about 91-92. 2) Those pitches are really changes, and the system is confusing his two and his four seamer. If you look at the vert movement v horizontal movement graph you can see a small patch of fastballs in between the 4 seamer and the change -- I think that's likely the 2 seamer. Anywho, do with it as you will.
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SirSaxa
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Post by SirSaxa on Jun 11, 2010 6:42:34 GMT -5
SirSaxa- Clyde and Fidrych aren't good comparables. Clyde had decent stuff but was wildly unprepared for the pros and came straight to the majors from Day 1 out of HS as a marketing move.
Fidrych was goofy and essentially lucky for one year. He didn't have Strasburg's stuff.
Now, the pessimistic comparables are fine -- Wood, Gooden, JR Richard. But they are all injury related. SF, of course you are right that Clyde and Fidrych are not "exact" comparables. I wasn't trying to suggest they were. The similarities are: Clyde was the #1 pick in the draft, got all kinds of hype, won his first two games. Hopefully the similarity stops there because after those first two games, Clyde disappeared. You are right about marketing taking precedence over proper baseball development and it destroyed his career. As for Fidrych, you are the first person I have ever heard call his early success "Lucky". He was 19-7 as a rookie, led the league with an ERA of 2.34, and also had 24 complete games (different era for sure!). But he had injuries the next Spring and never regained his former mastery. Again, the "similarity" is lots of early "phenom" success, then disappointment. I have yet to enjoy the pleasure of seeing Stasburg pitch, but from all I read I have no doubt he is an extraordinarily talented young man. Pitching, as you know, is a very tough position. Success requires good health, but also mental strength and stamina. So many things go into a pitcher's success. Ryan had a great fastball, but it took quite a few years before he really reached his premiere level. Sudden Sam McDowell had an amazing fastball, but was an inconsistent pitcher. Sandy Koufax was nothing special early in his career before becoming one of the greatest pitchers the game has ever seen. Herb Score was a rookie phenom before he was hit in the head by a liine drive and was never the same again. I guess my point is there are so many variables and risks for pitchers --including the examples you cited -- that we just don't know how Strasburg's career will unfold despite his enormous talent. Let's hope for his sake -- and for Baseball's -- he stays healthy and productive for many years to come. BTW, thanks for the link to Brooks Baseball. Never saw that one before. Amazing site.
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hoyainspirit
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
When life puts that voodoo on me, music is my gris-gris.
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Post by hoyainspirit on Jun 11, 2010 8:10:53 GMT -5
Clearly I picked the right year to start following the Natinals! ;D
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Jun 11, 2010 12:56:15 GMT -5
Didnt know i needed an advanced degree in geometry to enjoy baseball.
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TBird41
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Post by TBird41 on Jun 11, 2010 13:14:39 GMT -5
Didnt know i needed an advanced degree in geometry to enjoy baseball. You don't. You also have (or are getting) a Georgetown degree, so don't act like a hifi.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Jun 11, 2010 13:19:18 GMT -5
Didnt know i needed an advanced degree in geometry to enjoy baseball. Who said that? But I can certainly enjoy baseball in that manner.
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prhoya
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Post by prhoya on Jun 12, 2010 12:35:47 GMT -5
The kid was waesome. Among other things, I like that the kid gave credit to Pudge's control of the game.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Jun 12, 2010 13:36:32 GMT -5
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prhoya
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Post by prhoya on Jun 12, 2010 14:32:23 GMT -5
Coincidence? I think not.
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