Mack - Sunday Morning Observations
(thru Friday’s results)
Mack’s Observations -
About mechanics….
Bob Nightengale @BNightengale - The latest: Atlanta ace Spencer Strider underwent season- ending elbow surgery and was fitted with a brace to repair the ulnar collateral ligament on Friday.
See? This is why I keep saying STOP drafting starters with unconventional mechanics. They may give you excellent short term results, but, most don’t make it for the long haul.
Strider’s mechanics are a mess. Does this lead to long pauses in his career? Yes.
About injuries -
There is a certain kind of player you try to avoid when you either sign or draft them. They are the guys that just don’t have the long range body to sustain success in this game.
Names like Jake deGrom, Matt Allan, and now Calvin Zeigler. Also, gotta keep a close eye on Brett Baty.
Is this avoidable?
A great article on this subject was written in April by Dr. John R. Mischock, titled Baseball Arm Throwing Injuries: A Possible Solution? It can be found HERE
Suggestions he makes on how to prevent arm injuries”
1. . Recognize signs of pitching fatigue. Fatigue is the most significant predictor of arm injury while throwing. There is an astounding 36 times increase in arm injury when a pitcher throws while the arm and body are fatigued. (Pitch Smart, MLB 2015). Recognizing the early signs of fatigue and removing them from throwing is critical.
2. Use pitch counts as a guide. Pitch counts are the maximum number of throws, not a mandated number to reach for a given period. Each pitcher is very different in; physical maturity, previous injury, pitching mechanics, and throwing history. Coaches and trainers must individualize the pitch counts specific to the athletes, not a “one size fits all,” which could lead to more injury.
3. Rest from competitive throwing for 3-4 months. If a pitcher throws more than eight months per year, there is a five times increase in an arm injury. If the pitcher throws on consecutive days, they have more than 2.5 times greater risk of experiencing arm pain. (Pitch Smart, MLB 2015; American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2016).
4. Reduce the intensity of the throws, aka throw the fastball less. MLB pitchers who threw more than 48% of fastballs during practice and games had a significantly increased risk of an elbow injury, which required surgery (Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2016). Another study showed that MLB pitchers’ greatest risk of needing elbow surgery was the greatest fastball velocity (American Journal of Sports Medicine, 44, 2016). The change-up is the safest pitch, producing 5-10% less stress than the fastball. The bottom line should always be to learn to throw strikes first, with less concentration on velocity.
5. Develop mechanically sound pitching mechanics. Proper pitching mechanics can reduce arm injury by using the larger muscles of the lower half (legs) and core (abdominals and hips) when throwing. Remember that only 15% of the arm creates throwing velocity when using sound pitch mechanics.
6. Begin a baseball-specific sport performance exercise training program. The program should emphasize age-appropriate exercises to build general athleticism can help to reduce injury. The program should emphasize balance, mobility/flexibility, and strength/motor control exercises of the lower extremity, core, and shoulders. Playing multiple sports up to high school can be a great way to create diversity in exercise and movement.
7. Institute a progressive arm tolerance throwing program. The goal would be to build throwing endurance and tolerance to pitching over time. This throwing program would complement pitching mechanics training, with a gradual progression of throwing (following 2-3 months off of throwing in the offseason). The pitcher would increase throwing volume by 10% per week in the late winter leading into the pre-season. The key to the progression is to balance the acute/chronic workload ratio leading to physiological gains in strength, endurance, and motor control.
Ramsey @jwr020819
Mets affiliate ERAs;
New York: 3.33 (6/30)
Syracuse- 4.93 (9/20)
Binghamton- 3.81 (6/12)
Brooklyn- 2.99 (5/12)
St. Lucie- 3.59 (5/12)
There’s a pitching renaissance occurring within the Mets system right now. We’re starting to see the results of their St. Lucie pitching lab
Note to Tom -
Old school field’s down the line:
Ebbets Field - 297 feet down the right
Polo Grounds - 280 ft. Left… 258 ft, right
I have adjusted my RED/BLUE rating for the current Mets starters in rhe chain, based on the results so far from this young season. Not as shiney as before:
RED - Christian Scott (AAA), Blade Tidwell (AA), Brandon Sproat, Nolan McLean (A+), and Jonah Tong (A).
BLUE - Dom Hamel and Mike Vasil (AAA), Tyler Stuart and Joander Suarez (AA), Calvin Zeigler (A+), and Kade Morris and Franklin Gomez (A).
Cuse newbie -
C Austin Allen
6-1 220 30/yrs
2015 Rd. 4/117 Florida Tech
MLB: 118-AB 2-HR .195/540-OPS
MILB: 2,611-AB 126-HR .288/848-OPS
Game power: 50/60 hit: 45/50
Raw power: 65/65 speed: 30/30
Overall: 45
Average arm. Not a good thrower
Makes a mean pancake.
Rumble newbie -
C Joe Hudson
5-11 210 32/yrs Notre Dame
2012 Round 6/#202 overall pick
MLB career: 30-ab .167/.219/.419
Minors: 2,182-ab .222/.317/.671
Below average hitter, power, and runner, with little chance to grow
Average arm but calls a strong game
Lucy newbie -
RHRP Juan Arnaud
6-2 165 26yrs. Old
2021: missed due to injury
2022: 2 DSL teams: 3-2 5.87 16-apps 30.2-IP 34-K
2023: FCL 4-1 4.71 15-apps 21-IP 22-K 18-BB
3/4 arm slot lomg arm action
Low-mid 90s fastball low-mid 80s slider
Low-mid 80s change
Jerkiness - needs to slow down to gain control
FCL returnee -
C Andriel Lantigua
6-0 190 20/yrs D/R
2022: FCL: 56-AB .125/.269/.161/429
2023: FCL: 35-AB .257/.429/.314/743
Above average bat speed
Softer-bodied potential up-the-middle guy
Roster Moves -
Mets:
C Tomas Nido promoted from AAA-Syracuse
C Francisco Alvarez - 10-day IL - sprained left thumb
RHP Michael Tonkin - signed, assogned to Mets
RHSP Jose Butto to Mets
Syracuse:
LHRP Tyler Jay released
RHP Sean Reid-Foley - rehab assignment to Syracuse
RHP Luis Moreno transferred from AA to AAA Syracuse
RHRP Cole Sulser optioned from Mets
C Matt O’Neill transferred from AA to AAA Syracuse
Binghamton:
RHP Justin Jarvis reinstated from 7-Day Injured List
C Hayden Senger transferred from AAA to AA Binghamton
Brooklyn:
RP Brett Banks promoted to High-A Brooklyn Cyclones
RHP Calvin Ziegler - TJS - out for the season
OF Karell Paz placed on 7-day IL
2B D’Andre Smith placed on 7-day IL
OF Wilfredo Lara to 7-day IL
OF Joe Suozzi reinstated from DL to A+ Brooklyn
St. Lucie:
LHP Franklin Gomez assigned to Low-A St. Lucie
OF Sebastian Castro - added from FCL Mets
Rising Mets Pitchers To Know -
Christian Scott
Brandon Sproat
John Harper @NYNJHarper
Interesting to hear Severino say he went to Driveline to work on his 4-seam ride, after opposition hit .311 vs. his FB last year. Said ride is more important than velocity. He's trying to stay on top of the ball, create more spin that equates to late life at the top of the zone.
Mike Petriello @mike_petriello
Reed Garrett was a 16th round pick in 2016 by TEX
DFA'd by DET, BAL, WSH
Rule 5'd, didn't stick
2 years in Japan
Didn't make 2024 NYM Oday roster
7.11 ERA in 44.1 IP entering 2024 ...
... he has struck out 17 of 31 BF (55%) so far.
What a bizarre sport this is.
The Call Up | An MLB Prospect Podcast @The_CallUpPod
Notable prospects in Double-A this year:
Matt Shaw: 307 wRC+
Emmanuel Rodriguez: 288 wRC+
Carson Williams: 261 wRC+
Zac Veen: 202 wRC+
Edgar Quero: 201 wRC+
Roman Anthony: 188 wRC+
Benny Montgomery: 181 wRC+
Kevin Parada: 168 wRC+
Moises Ballesteros: 165 wRC+
Long Island Ducks @LIDucks
We will honor the memory of Bud Harrelson throughout the 2024 season with a commemorative patch on our home, away and tertiary jerseys.
The Harrelson family will also be in attendance on Opening Night to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
David Lennon @DPLennon
Mets all-time record of 14-3 on Jackie Robinson Day
(now 15-3)
Will Sammon @WillSammon
The Mets have three quality starts, and Jose Butto is responsible for two of them.
SNY @SNYtv
Carlos Mendoza says Jose Buttó is "not going anywhere" after today's strong outing:
"He was very good today," the scout texted. "I think the Mets are finally waking up to what they may have. He’s a solid back- end starter with three solid pitches."
Butto showing he can be a significant piece of Mets’ pitching future
Brooklyn Cyclones @BKCyclones
"Two homers from Nolan now, and they have both been jaw dropping..."
No lies detected.
He hits. He pitches. He damages light poles.
His name is Nolan McLean.
Baseball America @BaseballAmerica
Low-A St. Lucie righthander Jonah Tong (Mets) has been striking out batters at a hard to fathom rate.
Raising Aces: Great Pitchers, Flawed Mechanics -
https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/22197/raising-aces-great-pitchers-flawed-mechanics/
Great stuff on Cliff Lee, Chris Sale, Jered Weaver, Kenley Jansen, and Clayton Kershaw
Kevin Kernan @AMBS_Kernan
Dodgers walk 14 Padres on Sunday.
Pitching has never been better
12 comments:
Great stuff, Mack. I’m resting my arm for a few days now after tossing balled-up paper towels into the garbage. My form is good, and mostly I throw change ups. But seriously, this TJS thing is a pandemic…the clubs need to chart a different route with their prospects.
They should all do whatever Reed Garrett is doing. 3-0, 0.00, 21 Ks in 10.2 innings? Edwin is jealous (not really, but if we somehow now have TWO Edwin’s?
Beaten up Mike Vasil may need a fourth tier pitcher prospect color? Brown? What’s the 3rd tier, you ask? Lavender.
Severino was smart. He had a problem. He addressed it.
Nice on Bud Harrelson opening night.
McLean is a freak. He could be the first 50 HR, 300 K hitter. Pitching well, too. Remember, he is in tough High A.
Interesting stuff, Mack. Some encouraging, some disappointing.
I was surprised to read that the fastball is the most damaging to pitchers' arms. I've heard in the past that it's the curve, which is why some "experts" say kids in Little League should not be allowed to throw the curve.
When I think of pitchers who were successful into their late 30s, names that come to mind are Randy Johnson, Justin Verlander, and of course Nolan Ryan. All of these were known for their fastballs.
Another thing I've noticed about our minor leaguers, without the expertise of you, Tom, and others here, is that none of the top prospects we got last July in trades seem to be doing well si far. Acuña, Gilbert, Clifford, Jackson, et al, haven't been lighting up the sky. I wonder what their combined stats are.
One bright spot in our system, seemingly under the radar, is young Alex Ramirez. Once a shining star, his light dimmed after two underwhelming seasons in Brooklyn. Promoted to AA, his numbers are brighter than the stars, and he's looking like the very promising prospect again.
On the downside, Jett Williams, coming off very fine seasons in A and A+, is really struggling at Bingo. He made a brash starement this Spring about hoping to make it to Queens, if he can't get above the Mendoza line he may find that the subway is taking him to Brooklyn instead.
I too found the claim about the fastball interesting..I was always told the worse pitch kids in their pre teens to throw was the slider or splitter
Still, I hope readers click open the entire article and read it. Best article on bad pitching I have ever read
I am disappointed in both Vasil and Hamel but I never thought they would turn out to be stars in this game. Back end starters at best with an occasional great outing aided by good fielding in the field
A great article. Keep up the good work.
Mack you have the best HR rate as you hit it out of the park everytime (not sure about your velo though) great job. I didn't get why Baty was in that piece? Not sure why anyone would question our 12-3 run after losing the first 5 come on now didn't we all see this coming along with Reed "Rivera" Garrett exploding onto the scene and lets not forget our All-Star bench as we knew it all along right? Also beating quality teams don't pinch me i want to keep dreaming. Just enjoying the ride.
Mentioned Baty as a possible injury concern going forward
Hi folks. Mack what makes you think he would be an injury concern?
DeGrom had the most perfect mechanics and was so detailed that it was legendary. Still he got hurt.
I disagree that Hamel, Stuart and Vasil aren’t major league starter options. In the minors, you want to see flashes. They will be inconsistent, but as long as something is in that pitcher that can be brought out, that’s good. The minors are for refinement and consistency. Hamel has shown the flashes. He may not be an ace, but that’s something. The other two may develop more or may become relievers. For Vasil and his movement, this strike zone has really messed with him. I believe an automated strike zone needs to be widened. I also believe that if they don’t widen it, any batter that has fouled off more than two pitches with two strikes is out. Seeing scrubs barely nick a ball and stay alive is stupid and more boring than ten pickoff throws.
I’m very glad to see Butto given a chance and taking advantage of it. I hope there are more chances but I also want the team to do well, which means no sell off and no openings for the kids. I can’t understand the infatuation with Michael Tonkin but otherwise, the roster is solid.
Gua (and Gary)
I may be wrong on Baty. I thought I remembered an injury history here but my mind might be adding a new trick
Gus
IMO
Currently... only Tidwell and Scott project as front end starters
Maye Tong but we are way off on this
The others, including McLean, project as back enders
LOL Mack my mind does it too. I was told that its because our minds at our age are just so full of information/knowledge it takes a minute or 2 to sort out. Maybe it's total BS but it works for me.
Who the hell are you, Barry ?
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