Is the '03 Prior back?

[98navigator]

Heres your answer

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070225&content_id=1815461&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

Prior threw 35 pitches to hitters in a live batting practice session around 8:30 a.m. MT on Sunday at Fitch Park. So far, so good for the right-hander, who spent the winter strengthening his shoulder.

 

35 pitches................ so about 1 inning?

 

Yeah, that's about what they are all doing in Mesa (at least I haven't seen an article where more pitches were thrown).

[David]

"He's getting close," Rothschild said. "I wouldn't say full velocity from what you've seen a couple years ago, but it's a definite improvement. He's handled the work load with flying colors."

 

 

 

So no mid 90's fastballs?? he was around 89-92 last year..How much of a improvement?..I wish they would give a range of hard hard these guys are throwing..

 

i think prior is pitching well when he's at 89-93. that's what i remember from 03.

 

To me, Z was the guy who did better when his velocity was in the low 90's. He'd keep the ball down and barely gave up HRs back then.

 

I always picture Mark to be at his best in the 93-95 range...

[Magnetic Curses]

More like 92-95.

 

not really. when he throws harder, his fastball straightens out and he gets hit.

 

in 03, he threw his 2-seamer more often than not, which is an 89-93 type-pitch that sinks.

 

when his 2-seamer is working, he can throw his 4-seamer at 95 occasionally so as to keep hitters on notice. when he's not throwing his 2-seamer effectively for strikes, it makes the 4-seamer pointless and hittable.

[Magnetic Curses]

"He's getting close," Rothschild said. "I wouldn't say full velocity from what you've seen a couple years ago, but it's a definite improvement. He's handled the work load with flying colors."

 

 

 

So no mid 90's fastballs?? he was around 89-92 last year..How much of a improvement?..I wish they would give a range of hard hard these guys are throwing..

 

i think prior is pitching well when he's at 89-93. that's what i remember from 03.

 

To me, Z was the guy who did better when his velocity was in the low 90's. He'd keep the ball down and barely gave up HRs back then.

 

I always picture Mark to be at his best in the 93-95 range...

 

i think that's an incorrect perception. i remember prior throwing his 2-seamer very effectively at 89-90 mph in 03.

[David]

More like 92-95.

 

not really. when he throws harder, his fastball straightens out and he gets hit.

 

in 03, he threw his 2-seamer more often than not, which is an 89-93 type-pitch that sinks.

 

when his 2-seamer is working, he can throw his 4-seamer at 95 occasionally so as to keep hitters on notice. when he's not throwing his 2-seamer effectively for strikes, it makes the 4-seamer pointless and hittable.

 

This is true. I guess I was referring more to his 4 seamer than his 2 seamer. But you're right. I also recall a lot of hitters referring to how even though his velocity itself wasn't that crazy, with his delivery, it just seemed a whole lot faster when they were actually at the plate.

 

Anyone remember when they had the camera and mic on Chipper and I forget who else (DeRosa maybe?) in the Braves dugout in Game 2 or so of the 03 NLDS?

[David]

Heres your answer

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070225&content_id=1815461&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

Prior threw 35 pitches to hitters in a live batting practice session around 8:30 a.m. MT on Sunday at Fitch Park. So far, so good for the right-hander, who spent the winter strengthening his shoulder.

 

35 pitches................ so about 1 inning?

 

Yeah, that's about what they are all doing in Mesa (at least I haven't seen an article where more pitches were thrown).

 

35 pitches would be a rough one inning.

[98navigator]

Heres your answer

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070225&content_id=1815461&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

Prior threw 35 pitches to hitters in a live batting practice session around 8:30 a.m. MT on Sunday at Fitch Park. So far, so good for the right-hander, who spent the winter strengthening his shoulder.

 

35 pitches................ so about 1 inning?

 

Yeah, that's about what they are all doing in Mesa (at least I haven't seen an article where more pitches were thrown).

 

35 pitches would be a rough one inning.

 

Yup, I was agreeing with the pitch number not so much the idea of one inning for Prior. lol

[Magnetic Curses]

More like 92-95.

 

not really. when he throws harder, his fastball straightens out and he gets hit.

 

in 03, he threw his 2-seamer more often than not, which is an 89-93 type-pitch that sinks.

 

when his 2-seamer is working, he can throw his 4-seamer at 95 occasionally so as to keep hitters on notice. when he's not throwing his 2-seamer effectively for strikes, it makes the 4-seamer pointless and hittable.

 

This is true. I guess I was referring more to his 4 seamer than his 2 seamer. But you're right. I also recall a lot of hitters referring to how even though his velocity itself wasn't that crazy, with his delivery, it just seemed a whole lot faster when they were actually at the plate.

 

Anyone remember when they had the camera and mic on Chipper and I forget who else (DeRosa maybe?) in the Braves dugout in Game 2 or so of the 03 NLDS?

 

i remember giles saying something about prior in the dugout.

 

the gist of the conversation was that prior's pitches seem to look slower coming out of his hand but gain velocity as they near home plate.

[FergieJ31]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/273029,CST-SPT-cub26.article

 

So when he groans or moans, creaks or squeaks -- or backs off his pitching schedule -- it quickly inspires eye rolls and profanity-laced doubts among the Cubs' faithful.

 

But the Cubs say it's different this time. Really.

 

Rothschild says Prior's velocity isn't completely back, but Piniella says:

 

''We're just going to make sure that he really feels that he's ready,'' Piniella said. ''There's no issues, nothing.''

[UMFan83]

We've certainly heard this tune before...

 

From last year:

 

"I haven't seen any signs of him looking weak or sick," (Hendry) said. "There is no controversy, no problems. There is nothing wrong with him."

 

Compared to this year:

 

'We're just going to make sure that he really feels that he's ready,'' Piniella said. ''There's no issues, nothing.''

 

More from last year:

 

(Chicago Cubs Pitching Coach Larry) Rothschild explained that Mark Prior has done well enough in his flat-ground preparations that he will be throwing off the mound on Friday or Sunday.

 

"There's a good chance he will get on the mound Sunday," Rothschild said. "But if he feels real good Friday, we might venture that then."

[badger1679666666]

I've seen this re-run 15 times.

[CuseCubFan69]

Does anyone know what he's hitting on the gun? Does anyone know why he isn't throwing like he did since it's not suppose to be from an injury?

[USSoccer]

Isn't this just a pessismistic spin on the story that was run Saturday?

[moorecg]

We actually have seen pictures of him throwing a baseball this year, which is a step up from years past if I remember correctly.

[C.C.]

We actually have seen pictures of him throwing a baseball this year, which is a step up from years past if I remember correctly.

 

Not really...

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060224&content_id=1321928&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

[CuseCubFan69]

Isn't this just a pessismistic spin on the story that was run Saturday?

 

Possible. It reminds me of the stock market and how it effects the buyers and sellers.

[Soul]

When we see Prior pitching a regular season game and doing well, then he's back.

[98navigator]

There's no reason to doubt them unless he misses his start on March 7 or 8.

[moorecg]

We actually have seen pictures of him throwing a baseball this year, which is a step up from years past if I remember correctly.

 

Not really...

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060224&content_id=1321928&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

yeah, but that article had a picture of Wood throwing...and just a "Rothschild said" when speaking of Prior.....

 

just trying to be positive....someties its hard.

[C.C.]

We actually have seen pictures of him throwing a baseball this year, which is a step up from years past if I remember correctly.

 

Not really...

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060224&content_id=1321928&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

yeah, but that article had a picture of Wood throwing...and just a "Rothschild said" when speaking of Prior.....

 

just trying to be positive....someties its hard.

 

Just have low expectations and you'll keep your sanity. I honestly feel if he does make it back he won't be in the 2003-04 form nor will he last the entire year. Just a feeling and I pray and hope I'm wrong.

[CubinNY]

There's no reason to doubt them unless he misses his start on March 7 or 8.

In regard to Prior, there is plenty of reason to doubt them.

 

Fool me once shame on me, fool me tiwice,. . . fool, you won't get fooled again?

[98navigator]

We actually have seen pictures of him throwing a baseball this year, which is a step up from years past if I remember correctly.

 

Not really...

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060224&content_id=1321928&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

yeah, but that article had a picture of Wood throwing...and just a "Rothschild said" when speaking of Prior.....

 

just trying to be positive....someties its hard.

 

Just have low expectations and you'll keep your sanity. I honestly feel if he does make it back he won't be in the 2003-04 form nor will he last the entire year. Just a feeling and I pray and hope I'm wrong.

 

2005 Prior was also good. Last year is the only truly horrible season he's had.

[C.C.]

We actually have seen pictures of him throwing a baseball this year, which is a step up from years past if I remember correctly.

 

Not really...

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060224&content_id=1321928&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

yeah, but that article had a picture of Wood throwing...and just a "Rothschild said" when speaking of Prior.....

 

just trying to be positive....someties its hard.

 

Just have low expectations and you'll keep your sanity. I honestly feel if he does make it back he won't be in the 2003-04 form nor will he last the entire year. Just a feeling and I pray and hope I'm wrong.

 

2005 Prior was also good. Last year is the only truly horrible season he's had.

 

You're right...2005 he was good, but I still don't think his health is going to hold up to support even those numbers.

[KenCub]

Here we go again???

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/273029,CST-SPT-cub26.article

 

They say it's nothing, and I hope they're right.

[98navigator]

I think a lot of the media is trying to stir the pot on the Prior story by raising fears with fans. It sells papers. I like this from Bruce Miles

 

When asked about early standouts in camp Bruce writes this about Prior:

 

...Mark Prior is already ahead of the game because he’s thrown a live batting practice session, too.