Rampant Speculation re: Prior Thread (Legit info welcome)

[Sarcastic]

Don't worry about it guys, it had to have been his grip. As soon as let him wrap the ball in a towel, he'll be fine.

 

Every Prior thread needs one.

[C.C.]

Sullivan just said he topped off at 89mph

Seriously? Oh God.

 

What about Wood, what did he top out at?

 

95

[Sarcastic]

Wow, first Miller and now Prior topping out in the mid-80's. That's terrible news, unless your name is Angel Guzman or Neal Cotts. Guys don't lose 10 mph for no reason. There's a chance that it's simply because he hasn't pitched much since 2005 and has lost arm strength, in which case, if he stays healthy, he should be able to get at least some of his velocity back with time. On the other hand, the reason his velocity is down could be because of pain, or another undetected injury, or lingering damage from one of the previous injuries, or some combination thereof.

 

Either way, Prior is young enough and talented enough that if he can get his fastball back up to 87-89, he could still be a good to very good pitcher. It's just going to take some time.

 

For those who didn't read the beginning of the thread, Sullivan reported that Prior topped out at 89.

[KingCubsFan]

LOL, the only info I have is his interview on the news. He said he's not worried; he expects to get better with more ST starts. For the local folks, Chicago Tribune Live will be talking about his outing in about 10 minutes (following the Lance Briggs talk).

 

Cool thansk. Just turned it on...

We traded Thomas Jones?!?!?

 

To the Jets for a second round pick???

 

Really? Not a bad return. I hadn't heard that.

It would be a good return if we didn't send our second round pick too

[Roast]

Wow, first Miller and now Prior topping out in the mid-80's. That's terrible news, unless your name is Angel Guzman or Neal Cotts. Guys don't lose 10 mph for no reason. There's a chance that it's simply because he hasn't pitched much since 2005 and has lost arm strength, in which case, if he stays healthy, he should be able to get at least some of his velocity back with time. On the other hand, the reason his velocity is down could be because of pain, or another undetected injury, or lingering damage from one of the previous injuries, or some combination thereof.

 

Either way, Prior is young enough and talented enough that if he can get his fastball back up to 87-89, he could still be a good to very good pitcher. It's just going to take some time.

 

Can we say Overreaction? Sullivan just reported he topped out at 89, not 83-84. Which I actually believe because, from what I read in the game thread today, the Mariners announcers (who were the ones that said he threw only in the mid 80's) sucked hardcore.

 

Furthermore, It's the first actual game he's pitched in since like July, plus that whole thing about it being the FIRST WEEK OF MARCH. I know that Prior hasn't had the cleanest health record up to this point in his career, but being 4-5 MPH short on his fastball in his first game in ages shouldn't send us into a mad panic.

 

:willynilly:

[Amazing_Grace]

Wow, first Miller and now Prior topping out in the mid-80's. That's terrible news, unless your name is Angel Guzman or Neal Cotts. Guys don't lose 10 mph for no reason. There's a chance that it's simply because he hasn't pitched much since 2005 and has lost arm strength, in which case, if he stays healthy, he should be able to get at least some of his velocity back with time. On the other hand, the reason his velocity is down could be because of pain, or another undetected injury, or lingering damage from one of the previous injuries, or some combination thereof.

 

Either way, Prior is young enough and talented enough that if he can get his fastball back up to 87-89, he could still be a good to very good pitcher. It's just going to take some time.

 

For those who didn't read the beginning of the thread, Sullivan reported that Prior topped out at 89.

 

Arg, that's a big difference. I read the post that said he was saying 83-85. So which is it actually?

 

EDIT: OK, now I see, damn Mariners announcers causing a panic. Thanks Roast.

Edited March 6, 2007 by Amazing_Grace

[98navigator]

Don't worry about it guys, it had to have been his grip. As soon as let him wrap the ball in a towel, he'll be fine.

 

Between the towel reference, Dusty Baker Pick, and ridiculous quote, I'm guessing you are looking to cause trouble

[Allroy]

Come on guys, this thread is for towel drill and simulated game jokes. Not football trade talk.

[Roast]

Don't worry about it guys, it had to have been his grip. As soon as let him wrap the ball in a towel, he'll be fine.

 

Between the towel reference, Dusty Baker Pick, and ridiculous quote, I'm guessing you are looking to cause trouble

 

Careful, dont venture too far out on that limb. :lol:

[98navigator]

Don't worry about it guys, it had to have been his grip. As soon as let him wrap the ball in a towel, he'll be fine.

 

Between the towel reference, Dusty Baker Pick, and ridiculous quote, I'm guessing you are looking to cause trouble

 

Careful, dont venture too far out on that limb. :lol:

 

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Roast]

Come on guys, this thread is for towel drill and simulated game jokes. Not football trade talk.

 

Yes, because those didnt get old two years ago.

 

LOL PRIOR THROWS TOWELLS.

 

LOL THE CUBS LEAD BASEBALL IN SIMULATED GAMES WON HAHAHLOLOL

[Allroy]

Don't worry about it guys, it had to have been his grip. As soon as let him wrap the ball in a towel, he'll be fine.

 

Between the towel reference, Dusty Baker Pick, and ridiculous quote, I'm guessing you are looking to cause trouble

 

Not really, just having a little fun. I want Prior back as much as anyone, but I'm done being sad about it.

Edited March 6, 2007 by Allroy

[Sarcastic]

Wow, first Miller and now Prior topping out in the mid-80's. That's terrible news, unless your name is Angel Guzman or Neal Cotts. Guys don't lose 10 mph for no reason. There's a chance that it's simply because he hasn't pitched much since 2005 and has lost arm strength, in which case, if he stays healthy, he should be able to get at least some of his velocity back with time. On the other hand, the reason his velocity is down could be because of pain, or another undetected injury, or lingering damage from one of the previous injuries, or some combination thereof.

 

Either way, Prior is young enough and talented enough that if he can get his fastball back up to 87-89, he could still be a good to very good pitcher. It's just going to take some time.

 

For those who didn't read the beginning of the thread, Sullivan reported that Prior topped out at 89.

 

Arg, that's a big difference. I read the post that said he was saying 83-85. So which is it actually?

 

EDIT: OK, now I see, damn Mariners announcers causing a panic. Thanks Roast.

 

Actually, I think it was both. A report he wrote minutes after Prior was pulled said low to mid 80s, but someone here posted that he more recently reported 89. My guess is he got low to mid 80s from the same source that the announcers got it, and it wasn't really reliable.

[RichHillIsABeast]

If Prior topped out at 89 mph that's good news. That's more in line with the previous reports that his velo was down "a little" during his batting practice session.

 

That 83-85 mph news scared me, b/c there's no way he'd have been rushing it above 90 mph regularly come April.

 

* And a second round pick for Jones? C'mon. :x

[CubColtPacer]

If Prior topped out at 89 mph that's good news. That's more in line with the previous reports that his velo was down "a little" during his batting practice session.

 

That 83-85 mph news scared me, b/c there's no way he'd have been rushing it above 90 mph regularly come April.

 

* And a second round pick for Jones? C'mon. :x

 

Check the Bears thread-the Bears only moved up in the second round from #63 to #37, they didn't actually get an extra second rounder.

[David]

If Prior topped out at 89 mph that's good news. That's more in line with the previous reports that his velo was down "a little" during his batting practice session.

 

That 83-85 mph news scared me, b/c there's no way he'd have been rushing it above 90 mph regularly come April.

 

* And a second round pick for Jones? C'mon. :x

 

Check the Bears thread-the Bears only moved up in the second round from #63 to #37, they didn't actually get an extra second rounder.

 

Yea, a second round pick would've been good. Moving up in the second round, not so much.

[RichHillIsABeast]

If Prior topped out at 89 mph that's good news. That's more in line with the previous reports that his velo was down "a little" during his batting practice session.

 

That 83-85 mph news scared me, b/c there's no way he'd have been rushing it above 90 mph regularly come April.

 

* And a second round pick for Jones? C'mon. :x

 

Check the Bears thread-the Bears only moved up in the second round from #63 to #37, they didn't actually get an extra second rounder.

 

And the hits just keep on comin'... :cry:

[cubweiser03]

Obviously, he wasn't pitching well last year, but I remember him topping off at around 89 in his first few starts and was up into the 92-93 range by a few starts after he was brought up, am I right?

 

I also seem to remember us freaking out about Wood throwing in the low 90's when he first came back last year.

 

Am I remembering any of this wrong?

 

I remeber all this too. Prior was around 89 in his rehab assingments, he eventually add some more ticks on his fastball later with work.

 

I feel better hearing 89. This is a very workable ST foundation.

[Balsa]

89 is very doable. That's good news.

[brinoch]

Come on guys, this thread is for towel drill and simulated game jokes. Not football trade talk.

 

How about none of the above?

[Sammy Sofa]

Why does ESPN list him as day-to-day?

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6787

 

I hate ESPN.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

Why does ESPN list him as day-to-day?

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6787

 

I hate ESPN.

 

Steve Stone says... "Day to day, aren't we all Chip?"

[98navigator]

Why does ESPN list him as day-to-day?

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6787

 

I hate ESPN.

 

That's just ridiculous...

[98navigator]

Rotoworld's take:

 

Mark Prior admitted he wasn't finishing his pitches while getting roughed up by the Mariners on Monday, but he said after the game that his arm felt good.

"The most important thing for me is this is the first time in almost 2 1/2 years I wasn't more worried about my arm than facing batters," he said. Unfortunately, Prior was only topping out at around 87 mph today. He'll throw harder than that once he gets some more work in, but the dominant Prior of old isn't likely to make an appearance anytime soon.

[Mephistopheles]

I can't understand why the hell some of you are comparing to how his velocity progressed last season. In case I needed to remind you, Prior following the path he took last season wasn't exactly useful.