Rampant Speculation re: Prior Thread (Legit info welcome)

[C.C.]

Both Mark Prior and Kerry Wood reported no unusual soreness on Tuesday, the day after their Cactus League debuts, which was great news, said Cubs manager Lou Piniella.

 

Prior, who threw 40 pitches over 1 1/3 innings on Monday against the Mariners, is slated to pitch on Saturday against the Royals. Left-hander Ted Lilly will start that game, and Prior will follow.

 

Prior didn't throw any breaking pitches on Monday, and his pitches were clocked in the low 80s on the radar gun. Piniella was asked if the right-hander could get his velocity up by Opening Day.

 

FYI, the Cubs will be expecting Prior to go 3 innings on Saturday. I know that is normal but it somewhat surprised me to read considering he technically hasn't thrown 2 innings...

 

And he'll probably "technically" not go 3 innings...

[Soul]

Prior, Lee, and Wood all look like they've lost weight to me. Especially Wood, of course.

 

Maybe I just heard completely wrong about Prior. I could have sworn someone said he looked alright in practice, and that the velocity was O.K., though not great.

 

If that's all he really has -- mid-80's -- then yeah, we're in trouble. You can work on strength all you want, it's not going to suddenly add 10 MPH to a fastball in 1 month. Prior needs to hit 93/94 with that fastball to be effective, IMO.

 

For the last time, the reports after the game said that Prior hit 89, not the 83-85 that the Seattle announcers were talking about. You can't expect his velocity to be 100% in his first ST start. I'm not worried about his velocity at all. If there is anything to worry about, it would be his command, since that was his big problem last year.

 

Hence the qualification in my statement. *IF* he's really only in the mid-80's.

[Wheelimus]

Hope Mark can turn it around. I have no doubt he wasn't going full tilt in his first spring training start. He's bound to be a little bit tentative after all the trouble he's had.

 

Lets hope he's working in the high 80's and topping out in the low 90's, at least, in his next start.

[gerby23]

It could all be mental as well. As someone who has comeback from major knee issues, I can honestly say that even after I was "cleared" I didn't want to push it when running. He may just have had some jitters mentally that prevented him from letting it all hang out.

[Derwood]

pretty much every baseball columnist I've read has little to no hope that Prior will give the Cubs anything this year.

[illiniguy]

Well, if he is done I think we can all give a big thank you to Dusty Baker. Let's hope he isn't.

[Soul]

I'm just waiting to see what his next couple ST starts show, that's all. Certainly doesn't make sense to write the guy off because of his first couple innings in ST since forever.

[CuseCubFan69]

pretty much every baseball columnist I've read has little to no hope that Prior will give the Cubs anything this year.

 

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs.

 

My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him?

[illiniguy]

pretty much every baseball columnist I've read has little to no hope that Prior will give the Cubs anything this year.

 

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs.

 

My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him?

Well at this point he has to have a mental block as well. I really wonder if this isn't similar to the Knoblach, Ankiel, Sax thing.

[CuseCubFan69]

pretty much every baseball columnist I've read has little to no hope that Prior will give the Cubs anything this year.

 

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs.

 

My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him?

Well at this point he has to have a mental block as well. I really wonder if this isn't similar to the Knoblach, Ankiel, Sax thing.

 

Could be, I was thinking that he has the superstar effect. I've seen kids dominate for awhile and when they finally hit the top level they meet failure for the first time and how they react to that shows a lot to me. I never liked what I saw from Prior when he was struggling and I'm not sure he has the mental makeup to be able to fight when he isn't on top of his game. He's still young and I hope he can prove me wrong but he has a ways to go before he can be the pitcher he was in 2003 or 2004.

[illiniguy]

pretty much every baseball columnist I've read has little to no hope that Prior will give the Cubs anything this year.

 

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs.

 

My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him?

Well at this point he has to have a mental block as well. I really wonder if this isn't similar to the Knoblach, Ankiel, Sax thing.

 

Could be, I was thinking that he has the superstar effect. I've seen kids dominate for awhile and when they finally hit the top level they meet failure for the first time and how they react to that shows a lot to me. I never liked what I saw from Prior when he was struggling and I'm not sure he has the mental makeup to be able to fight when he isn't on top of his game. He's still young and I hope he can prove me wrong but he has a ways to go before he can be the pitcher he was in 2003 or 2004.

The 2003 Prior is gone. That's why it hurts so much we didn't win it all that year. I still think he can get back to being a good pitcher, his window is shrinking though.

[CuseCubFan69]

pretty much every baseball columnist I've read has little to no hope that Prior will give the Cubs anything this year.

 

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs.

 

My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him?

Well at this point he has to have a mental block as well. I really wonder if this isn't similar to the Knoblach, Ankiel, Sax thing.

 

Could be, I was thinking that he has the superstar effect. I've seen kids dominate for awhile and when they finally hit the top level they meet failure for the first time and how they react to that shows a lot to me. I never liked what I saw from Prior when he was struggling and I'm not sure he has the mental makeup to be able to fight when he isn't on top of his game. He's still young and I hope he can prove me wrong but he has a ways to go before he can be the pitcher he was in 2003 or 2004.

The 2003 Prior is gone. That's why it hurts so much we didn't win it all that year. I still think he can get back to being a good pitcher, his window is shrinking though.

 

What is that stat or thing that posters bring out when a pitcher is overused? What was Prior at in 2003...I just thought of it, abuse rating.

[illiniguy]

pretty much every baseball columnist I've read has little to no hope that Prior will give the Cubs anything this year.

 

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs.

 

My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him?

Well at this point he has to have a mental block as well. I really wonder if this isn't similar to the Knoblach, Ankiel, Sax thing.

 

Could be, I was thinking that he has the superstar effect. I've seen kids dominate for awhile and when they finally hit the top level they meet failure for the first time and how they react to that shows a lot to me. I never liked what I saw from Prior when he was struggling and I'm not sure he has the mental makeup to be able to fight when he isn't on top of his game. He's still young and I hope he can prove me wrong but he has a ways to go before he can be the pitcher he was in 2003 or 2004.

The 2003 Prior is gone. That's why it hurts so much we didn't win it all that year. I still think he can get back to being a good pitcher, his window is shrinking though.

 

What is that stat or thing that posters bring out when a pitcher is overused? What was Prior at in 2003...I just thought of it, abuse rating.

That or Dusty's stupidity. Game 2 we are up what 9-0 and we let him throw 130 pitches. Thanks Dusty, thanks a bunch.

[CuseCubFan69]

pretty much every baseball columnist I've read has little to no hope that Prior will give the Cubs anything this year.

 

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs.

 

My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him?

Well at this point he has to have a mental block as well. I really wonder if this isn't similar to the Knoblach, Ankiel, Sax thing.

 

Could be, I was thinking that he has the superstar effect. I've seen kids dominate for awhile and when they finally hit the top level they meet failure for the first time and how they react to that shows a lot to me. I never liked what I saw from Prior when he was struggling and I'm not sure he has the mental makeup to be able to fight when he isn't on top of his game. He's still young and I hope he can prove me wrong but he has a ways to go before he can be the pitcher he was in 2003 or 2004.

The 2003 Prior is gone. That's why it hurts so much we didn't win it all that year. I still think he can get back to being a good pitcher, his window is shrinking though.

 

What is that stat or thing that posters bring out when a pitcher is overused? What was Prior at in 2003...I just thought of it, abuse rating.

That or Dusty's stupidity. Game 2 we are up what 9-0 and we let him throw 130 pitches. Thanks Dusty, thanks a bunch.

 

Thanks for reminding me of that! Was Cruz on the playoff team at the time? If he was or another reliever was ready to go, this is where Baker shot down the whole series due to his narrow thinking.

[illiniguy]

pretty much every baseball columnist I've read has little to no hope that Prior will give the Cubs anything this year.

 

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs.

 

My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him?

Well at this point he has to have a mental block as well. I really wonder if this isn't similar to the Knoblach, Ankiel, Sax thing.

 

Could be, I was thinking that he has the superstar effect. I've seen kids dominate for awhile and when they finally hit the top level they meet failure for the first time and how they react to that shows a lot to me. I never liked what I saw from Prior when he was struggling and I'm not sure he has the mental makeup to be able to fight when he isn't on top of his game. He's still young and I hope he can prove me wrong but he has a ways to go before he can be the pitcher he was in 2003 or 2004.

The 2003 Prior is gone. That's why it hurts so much we didn't win it all that year. I still think he can get back to being a good pitcher, his window is shrinking though.

 

What is that stat or thing that posters bring out when a pitcher is overused? What was Prior at in 2003...I just thought of it, abuse rating.

That or Dusty's stupidity. Game 2 we are up what 9-0 and we let him throw 130 pitches. Thanks Dusty, thanks a bunch.

 

Thanks for reminding me of that! Was Cruz on the playoff team at the time? If he was or another reliever was ready to go, this is where Baker shot down the whole series due to his narrow thinking.

I don't think he was. Game 7 was a clinic. Jack uses Beckett to get to the world series. Meanwhile we saved Zambrano and Clement for games 1 and 2 in the world series. Silly Jack he won't have anyone to pitch those games. Or in game 1 when we decided it was better to face Lowell than Lenny Harris. My dad and brother still love that one.

[Sammy Sofa]

All this talk about Prior being able to bounce back mentally has got to hold some weight, but at the same, this is hardly the first time he's had to "bounce back." He came back from the collision and the linedrive very fast and pitched very well, so the notion that this is "the first big failing for a superstar that he needs to overcome" is a bit of a fallacy.

[CuseCubFan69]

All this talk about Prior being able to bounce back mentally has got to hold some weight, but at the same, this is hardly the first time he's had to "bounce back." He came back from the collision and the linedrive very fast and pitched very well, so the notion that this is "the first big failing for a superstar that he needs to overcome" is a bit of a fallacy.

 

I think there is a difference between an injury like that with Giles and one when you are throwing mentally. Do you know why he is rehabbing in the first place and why the lack of velocity?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

All this talk about Prior being able to bounce back mentally has got to hold some weight, but at the same, this is hardly the first time he's had to "bounce back." He came back from the collision and the linedrive very fast and pitched very well, so the notion that this is "the first big failing for a superstar that he needs to overcome" is a bit of a fallacy.

 

There's a point where when you are experiencing pain in a particular motion that you are afraid of repeating that pain in the future, even if sufficient healing has taken place. There very well could be some mental healing that needs to take place with him as he could have potentially altered his delivery to alleviate discomfort he was having before.

[Sammy Sofa]

All this talk about Prior being able to bounce back mentally has got to hold some weight, but at the same, this is hardly the first time he's had to "bounce back." He came back from the collision and the linedrive very fast and pitched very well, so the notion that this is "the first big failing for a superstar that he needs to overcome" is a bit of a fallacy.

 

I think there is a difference between an injury like that with Giles and one when you are throwing mentally. Do you know why he is rehabbing in the first place and why the lack of velocity?

 

None of us do. But I can't imagine he felt great after either of those injuries and he still had to fight back. Of course, this is the first time he's basically missed an entire year. I'm not totally dismissing the mental aspect of what's going on with him, but I'm so sure it's the main issue.

[CuseCubFan69]

All this talk about Prior being able to bounce back mentally has got to hold some weight, but at the same, this is hardly the first time he's had to "bounce back." He came back from the collision and the linedrive very fast and pitched very well, so the notion that this is "the first big failing for a superstar that he needs to overcome" is a bit of a fallacy.

 

I think there is a difference between an injury like that with Giles and one when you are throwing mentally. Do you know why he is rehabbing in the first place and why the lack of velocity?

 

None of us do. But I can't imagine he felt great after either of those injuries and he still had to fight back. Of course, this is the first time he's basically missed an entire year. I'm not totally dismissing the mental aspect of what's going on with him, but I'm so sure it's the main issue.

 

I don't think any of us really can be sure and are just speculating on what we think it might be. As I said earlier, Prior is the one and only guy that really knows.

[cubweiser03]

Jayson Stark said on M&M this morning that Prior was throwing 81 and 82. No one has even come close to mentioning these numbers. This seems like irresponsible journalism. Give the story some time and soon it will be he was throwing in the high 70's. Jeez

[CuseCubFan69]

Jayson Stark said on M&M this morning that Prior was throwing 81 and 82. No one has even come close to mentioning these numbers. This seems like irresponsible journalism. Give the story some time and soon it will be he was throwing in the high 70's. Jeez

 

I'm sorry but I'm still thinking about Jennie Finch being on the show to even remember what Stark had to say! Speaking of that, I wonder how hard she could throw a baseball from 60 feet?

[radarluv1]

pretty much every baseball columnist I've read has little to no hope that Prior will give the Cubs anything this year.

 

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs.

 

My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him?

Well at this point he has to have a mental block as well. I really wonder if this isn't similar to the Knoblach, Ankiel, Sax thing.

 

Could be, I was thinking that he has the superstar effect. I've seen kids dominate for awhile and when they finally hit the top level they meet failure for the first time and how they react to that shows a lot to me. I never liked what I saw from Prior when he was struggling and I'm not sure he has the mental makeup to be able to fight when he isn't on top of his game. He's still young and I hope he can prove me wrong but he has a ways to go before he can be the pitcher he was in 2003 or 2004.

The 2003 Prior is gone. That's why it hurts so much we didn't win it all that year. I still think he can get back to being a good pitcher, his window is shrinking though.

 

What is that stat or thing that posters bring out when a pitcher is overused? What was Prior at in 2003...I just thought of it, abuse rating.

That or Dusty's stupidity. Game 2 we are up what 9-0 and we let him throw 130 pitches. Thanks Dusty, thanks a bunch.

thanks for reminding me of this. the rest of my day is ruined. with a little luck and a lot of beer, i may be able to recoup later in the week.

oh and great use of veres in a key spot. wasnt that his last major league appearance? theres a reason for that.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Jayson Stark said on M&M this morning that Prior was throwing 81 and 82. No one has even come close to mentioning these numbers. This seems like irresponsible journalism. Give the story some time and soon it will be he was throwing in the high 70's. Jeez

 

I just got a report out of Arizona that they had a tee set up near homeplate, and Prior just simulated a delivery while someone ran out and put the ball on the tee.

[CubColtPacer]

pretty much every baseball columnist I've read has little to no hope that Prior will give the Cubs anything this year.

 

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs.

 

My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him?

Well at this point he has to have a mental block as well. I really wonder if this isn't similar to the Knoblach, Ankiel, Sax thing.

 

Could be, I was thinking that he has the superstar effect. I've seen kids dominate for awhile and when they finally hit the top level they meet failure for the first time and how they react to that shows a lot to me. I never liked what I saw from Prior when he was struggling and I'm not sure he has the mental makeup to be able to fight when he isn't on top of his game. He's still young and I hope he can prove me wrong but he has a ways to go before he can be the pitcher he was in 2003 or 2004.

The 2003 Prior is gone. That's why it hurts so much we didn't win it all that year. I still think he can get back to being a good pitcher, his window is shrinking though.

 

What is that stat or thing that posters bring out when a pitcher is overused? What was Prior at in 2003...I just thought of it, abuse rating.

That or Dusty's stupidity. Game 2 we are up what 9-0 and we let him throw 130 pitches. Thanks Dusty, thanks a bunch.

thanks for reminding me of this. the rest of my day is ruined. with a little luck and a lot of beer, i may be able to recoup later in the week.

oh and great use of veres in a key spot. wasnt that his last major league appearance? theres a reason for that.

 

I think it was his last appearance in the majors to this point-he still has a shot of being in a major league game this year with his comeback attempt.