Comments on: Pitch Use & Velocity From the Big Three http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/ A Chicago Cubs Blog and Fan Site Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:18:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Matt Jacobs http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9891 Matt Jacobs Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:41:37 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9891 That's the newest of the "offers" said to be in place. I don't think much of the speculation going round. If this deal gets done, I think it's a sure sign that Hendry wants, and perhaps needs, to win the WS now. That’s the newest of the “offers” said to be in place. I don’t think much of the speculation going round.

If this deal gets done, I think it’s a sure sign that Hendry wants, and perhaps needs, to win the WS now.

]]> By: Pete http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9890 Pete Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:07:32 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9890 Has anyone else seen this new Brian Roberts Rumor? http://www.bugsandcranks.com/chicago-cubs/fine-now-can-we-have-brian-roberts/ I know we've discussed it here before, but this just way to much to give up for a 30 year old, injury prone, lead off man. Do we really want to block E.P. for two more years? Has anyone else seen this new Brian Roberts Rumor?

http://www.bugsandcranks.com/chicago-cubs/fine-now-can-we-have-brian-roberts/

I know we’ve discussed it here before, but this just way to much to give up for a 30 year old, injury prone, lead off man. Do we really want to block E.P. for two more years?

]]> By: kranskie http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9889 kranskie Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:32:43 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9889 Thanks Joe--these stats are great. I hadn't seen them yet on Fan Graphs, and now I can't stop. My boss thanks you for the lack of my productivity, too. One thing that I notice with Big Z's pitch speeds is that there's a little less velocity difference between his fastball and offspeed offerings seen in 2007 compared to previous years. For example, the difference between his fastball and slider went from 11.5 mph in 2005 to 10.9 mph in 2006 to 10.0 in 2007. Additionally, the difference between his fastball and splitter went from 8.0 in 2005 to 7.9 in 2006 to 7.8 in 2007. I haven't looked at anybody else's stats for comparison, but it would seem that less difference in velocity would favor the hitter, and the climbing ERA over these three years matches that. On the other hand, one thing about Zambrano was that he seemed to get caught up in overthrowing more in previous years than he has lately. Maybe the dip in fastball velocity is simply part of his maturation process in trusting the movement of his fastball more than him thinking he had to throw in as hard as he could to get it by hitters? Thanks Joe–these stats are great. I hadn’t seen them yet on Fan Graphs, and now I can’t stop. My boss thanks you for the lack of my productivity, too.

One thing that I notice with Big Z’s pitch speeds is that there’s a little less velocity difference between his fastball and offspeed offerings seen in 2007 compared to previous years. For example, the difference between his fastball and slider went from 11.5 mph in 2005 to 10.9 mph in 2006 to 10.0 in 2007. Additionally, the difference between his fastball and splitter went from 8.0 in 2005 to 7.9 in 2006 to 7.8 in 2007. I haven’t looked at anybody else’s stats for comparison, but it would seem that less difference in velocity would favor the hitter, and the climbing ERA over these three years matches that.

On the other hand, one thing about Zambrano was that he seemed to get caught up in overthrowing more in previous years than he has lately. Maybe the dip in fastball velocity is simply part of his maturation process in trusting the movement of his fastball more than him thinking he had to throw in as hard as he could to get it by hitters?

]]> By: Matt Jacobs http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9887 Matt Jacobs Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:52:55 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9887 Kevin, your exact question was discussed earlier this week. Here's Joe's response: http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/12/dudewhy/#comment-9858 Kevin, your exact question was discussed earlier this week. Here’s Joe’s response:

http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/12/dudewhy/#comment-9858

]]> By: Maddog http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9880 Maddog Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:49:30 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9880 I try not to think about any lineup that has Ryan Theriot leading off. I try not to think about any lineup that has Ryan Theriot leading off.

]]> By: Josh http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9879 Josh Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:59:34 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9879 Think about this lineup Theriot Fukudome Ramirez Soriano Lee DeRosa Soto Pie P With this lineup Aramis brings good average, good power and is backed up by Soriano with another power bat and Lee afterward who may be in decline after his spring showing thus far. Imagine Roberts at the top of that lineup and the OBP would be awesome. Think about this lineup

Theriot
Fukudome
Ramirez
Soriano
Lee
DeRosa
Soto
Pie
P

With this lineup Aramis brings good average, good power and is backed up by Soriano with another power bat and Lee afterward who may be in decline after his spring showing thus far. Imagine Roberts at the top of that lineup and the OBP would be awesome.

]]> By: Kevin http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9878 Kevin Fri, 14 Mar 2008 06:25:11 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9878 One more comment that I'd like to add. If the website is "The View From The Bleacher" shouldn't the picture on the top be looking in at home plate, not out at the bleachers. One more comment that I’d like to add. If the website is “The View From The Bleacher” shouldn’t the picture on the top be looking in at home plate, not out at the bleachers.

]]> By: Kevin http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9877 Kevin Fri, 14 Mar 2008 06:23:32 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9877 I remember when Zambrano first came to the big leagues he was very dominating, had an extremely low ERA and gave up very few home runs. It seems that as he is maturing as a pitcher and his pitch selection is changing he is giving up that long ball a lot more often. Still not enough to lose sleep over, just something I've noticed. I don't have any statistics to back this up, just something I recall. I remember when Zambrano first came to the big leagues he was very dominating, had an extremely low ERA and gave up very few home runs. It seems that as he is maturing as a pitcher and his pitch selection is changing he is giving up that long ball a lot more often. Still not enough to lose sleep over, just something I’ve noticed. I don’t have any statistics to back this up, just something I recall.

]]> By: harry http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9876 harry Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:46:52 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9876 Maddog, I'm glad you noticed it, because I just posted it on your blog. Maddog, I’m glad you noticed it, because I just posted it on your blog.

]]> By: Maddog http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9875 Maddog Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:37:41 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/03/13/pitch-use-velocity-from-the-big-three/#comment-9875 I've noticed Zambrano's extra use of his cutter for some time and it's frustrating beyond belief. When he used to throw that sinker almost exclusively, he was dominating. He adds in that cutter and he starts getting hit harder. I really hope he significantly reduces the amount he throws that pitch in 2008, but I'm not holding my breath. I’ve noticed Zambrano’s extra use of his cutter for some time and it’s frustrating beyond belief. When he used to throw that sinker almost exclusively, he was dominating. He adds in that cutter and he starts getting hit harder. I really hope he significantly reduces the amount he throws that pitch in 2008, but I’m not holding my breath.

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