Yep.Originally Posted by membengal
And Chapman's fastball is far from straight. Go read some quotes from the Brewers players after they faced Chapman this spring. I remember a couple of their players were gushing over how much movement he had.
Yep.
And Chapman's fastball is far from straight. Go read some quotes from the Brewers players after they faced Chapman this spring. I remember a couple of their players were gushing over how much movement he had.
The examples of Billy Koch and Kyle Farnsworth would suggest otherwise.
If you throw a straight 100 MPH FB and you're falling behind in the count you'll get killed
All indications are that Chapman's FB is not straight
Chapman's pro debut:
4.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Four of the five hits were infield singles, and two of the hits and the one walk came after an error extended the inning. Louisville's infield defense has been terrible so far.
85 pitches, 55 strikes. 3 at 101 mph, 2 at 100 mph, 5 at 99 mph.
The Reds had him on a pitch count of 75-85 pitches.
Dirty.
If these young guys (Volquez, Cueto, Bailey, Leake, Chapman, Wood, etc.) can stay healthy, the rotation will be awfully good the next several years.
"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
Highlights of Chapman's start:
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/video...ent_id=7393113
It's interesting to note that the run scored when he forgot to cover first. But more experienced pitchers have done that sometimes.
Guy looked wicked on the mound. But I am curious...how is his offspeed stuff? From what I could tell, all of the pitches pretty much were off the fastball and he obviously needs offspeed stuff to get out hitters at the show. I've read the scouting report, but has anyone actually seen the offspeed stuff? Anyone know how much of it he used today?
Just heard C Trent on WLW, he was there and said Chapman threw nothing but fastballs the first time through the order then mixed in the offspeed stuff the rest of the way.
Good to know. He's gotta throw the offspeed stuff when he gets to the show.
You won't get away with that against MLB hitters. I think Chapman will be down in AAA for a little longer than expected to learn how to pitch.
My guess is that it was the decision of his manager and pitching coach and not his own decision. Obviously, he won't be able to succeed in MLB by throwing only fastballs. He also won't be able to succeed as a starter in MLB if he only throws 75 pitches every time. Don't read too deeply into this.
Just heard C Trent on WLW, he was there and said Chapman threw nothing but fastballs the first time through the order then mixed in the offspeed stuff the rest of the way.Is this a problem or a legitimate strategy? Obviously this isn't a good idea for someone throwing 94MPH, but if Chapman can routinely hit 100MPH, why not throw heat until they prove they can hit it? If they start hitting him, and he can't get anything else over the plate, then that's where the problem is.You won't get away with that against MLB hitters. I think Chapman will be down in AAA for a little longer than expected to learn how to pitch.
its also possible that he is just building up arm strength after his minor setback with the back injury
.
That would be my guess, but uts just a guess.
All my posts are my opinion - just like yours are. If I forget to state it and you're too dense to see the obvious, look here!
I went to the Louisville v Toledo game today and from what I saw, he was mixing it up pretty well. There was around a 20mph difference between his fastball and off speed pitch that appeared to be a slider and/or curve. He had some of those guys swinging out of their shoes. One in particular was against Toledo's second hitter, two quality off speed pitches that had the batter way out in front, then he came back and blew him away with the fastball. He seemed to have a little trouble with control on the off speed stuff while warming up and in the first inning, which is probably why we didn't see it too much early. After he settled into a groove, he mixed it up well and looked real good.
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