Harden's First Start

[Jon]

http://www.baseball-intellect.com/Articles/rich-harden-trade.html

I just love that last pair of pictures. It's a guessing game.

[RammyFanny]

Never realized it, but Sheets is also a strict 2 pitch pitcher (FB/CV). Does anyone know if he was always like this or if he recently dropped a pitch or two from his arsenal?

[weis21]

Thanks for posting the article TT, that looks a like a pretty interesting site. I'm going to be sure to check it out in the future.

[FergieJ31]

http://www.baseball-intellect.com/Articles/rich-harden-trade.html

I just love that last pair of pictures. It's a guessing game.

 

Awesome vid. That changeup is a thing of beauty.

[badger1679666666]

Anyone got any video of his reception on Saturday from the Wrigley crowd? or of the reception when he was pulled from the game?

[AEisenberg]

Hey guys, I'm the author of that Harden article and I just wanted to express my thanks for the link. It's greatly appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

 

I'm still trying to get the profiles for the rest of the players involved in that deal finished...I'll probably have it finished tomorrow if anybody is interested. In any case, thanks again.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Hey guys, I'm the author of that Harden article and I just wanted to express my thanks for the link. It's greatly appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

 

I'm still trying to get the profiles for the rest of the players involved in that deal finished...I'll probably have it finished tomorrow if anybody is interested. In any case, thanks again.

 

Welcome to the forum!

[Guest]

Hey guys, I'm the author of that Harden article and I just wanted to express my thanks for the link. It's greatly appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

 

I'm still trying to get the profiles for the rest of the players involved in that deal finished...I'll probably have it finished tomorrow if anybody is interested. In any case, thanks again.

 

Good job on the article. Welcome aboard!

[nolanwood]

Hey guys, I'm the author of that Harden article and I just wanted to express my thanks for the link. It's greatly appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

 

I'm still trying to get the profiles for the rest of the players involved in that deal finished...I'll probably have it finished tomorrow if anybody is interested. In any case, thanks again.

 

Welcome to the forum - I really enjoyed the Harden article.

 

Transmogrified Tiger, thanks for the link!

[Laura]

Another "Welcome to the Forum" -- I've had fun reading through your site!

[Ball And Glove]

Never realized it, but Sheets is also a strict 2 pitch pitcher (FB/CV). Does anyone know if he was always like this or if he recently dropped a pitch or two from his arsenal?

 

Brewer fan coming in peace. ;)

 

To answer your question, Sheets has pretty much always been a strict 2-pitch pitcher, but he's experimented with other pitches. Most notably, he's tried throwing a change-up the past couple years, but it's a pitch he'll only show to the most elite hitters (mostly Pujols, but I'm sure guys like ARam and Lee have seen it a couple times). Since he's never really been able to throw it effectively, he only throws it when it's least expected. You'll see it maybe 2-3 times a game, unless he can't drop his curveball in for strikes.

[Laura]

Welcome to the forum, Ball and Glove! It can be a friendly place for fans of other teams who really do come in peace. ;)

[javy knows my name]

If you want some guidelines, read El Caballo's posts and then do the opposite.

Welcome

[UK1679666180]

Hey guys, I'm the author of that Harden article and I just wanted to express my thanks for the link. It's greatly appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

 

I'm still trying to get the profiles for the rest of the players involved in that deal finished...I'll probably have it finished tomorrow if anybody is interested. In any case, thanks again.

 

 

Enjoy your site and welcome to this forum.

 

I agree with his tempo being too slow, at foot strike, his arm isn't at its highest point. I also think his follow-thru puts some undo pressure on his shoulder as far as deceleration with a slight recoil and the lacking of what should be a more peaceful slowing down process of that great arm speed. Part of it might be caused by him flying open and throwing across his body when he breaks down mechanically.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Never realized it, but Sheets is also a strict 2 pitch pitcher (FB/CV). Does anyone know if he was always like this or if he recently dropped a pitch or two from his arsenal?

 

Brewer fan coming in peace. ;)

 

To answer your question, Sheets has pretty much always been a strict 2-pitch pitcher, but he's experimented with other pitches. Most notably, he's tried throwing a change-up the past couple years, but it's a pitch he'll only show to the most elite hitters (mostly Pujols, but I'm sure guys like ARam and Lee have seen it a couple times). Since he's never really been able to throw it effectively, he only throws it when it's least expected. You'll see it maybe 2-3 times a game, unless he can't drop his curveball in for strikes.

he's good enough that he doesn't really need more than 2 pitches

[Ball And Glove]

Never realized it, but Sheets is also a strict 2 pitch pitcher (FB/CV). Does anyone know if he was always like this or if he recently dropped a pitch or two from his arsenal?

 

Brewer fan coming in peace. ;)

 

To answer your question, Sheets has pretty much always been a strict 2-pitch pitcher, but he's experimented with other pitches. Most notably, he's tried throwing a change-up the past couple years, but it's a pitch he'll only show to the most elite hitters (mostly Pujols, but I'm sure guys like ARam and Lee have seen it a couple times). Since he's never really been able to throw it effectively, he only throws it when it's least expected. You'll see it maybe 2-3 times a game, unless he can't drop his curveball in for strikes.

he's good enough that he doesn't really need more than 2 pitches

 

Very true -- his fastball and curveball are so good that he can get away with it against most batters. Bobby Cox has said multiple times that Sheets' curveball is the best he's ever seen, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's just kissing Ned Yost's butt in that regard. It was definitely fun watching Sheets make Derek Jeter and Manny Ramirez look silly with that curveball in the All-Star Game, though.

[AEisenberg]

Hey guys, I'm the author of that Harden article and I just wanted to express my thanks for the link. It's greatly appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

 

I'm still trying to get the profiles for the rest of the players involved in that deal finished...I'll probably have it finished tomorrow if anybody is interested. In any case, thanks again.

 

 

Enjoy your site and welcome to this forum.

 

I agree with his tempo being too slow, at foot strike, his arm isn't at its highest point. I also think his follow-thru puts some undo pressure on his shoulder as far as deceleration with a slight recoil and the lacking of what should be a more peaceful slowing down process of that great arm speed. Part of it might be caused by him flying open and throwing across his body when he breaks down mechanically.

 

 

Thanks for the warm welcome, everybody!!

 

PingHitter,

 

You may be right though I can't say for sure. I'm not exactly a fan of his front side mechanics...you'll notice if you look at each graphic his glove is more by his side at release. He does firm it up, but I would rather see him firm it up earlier and have him keep the glove out in front of his chest. This is said to help protect the shoulder from some of the pounding that naturally occurs through pitching.

 

I wasn't aware that he had a big problem flying open, but if he did, I would bet his front side mechanics would be a possible cause of that.

[AEisenberg]

Also, before I forget, for anybody interested...

 

I published the second part of this trade review, which is in the same vein as the Harden article and contains the same video analysis, except this time on Gaudin, Gallagher, and Murton among others. The link is below:

 

http://www.baseball-intellect.com/Articles/sean-gallagher-chad-gaudin.html

[UK1679666180]

Hey guys, I'm the author of that Harden article and I just wanted to express my thanks for the link. It's greatly appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

 

I'm still trying to get the profiles for the rest of the players involved in that deal finished...I'll probably have it finished tomorrow if anybody is interested. In any case, thanks again.

 

 

Enjoy your site and welcome to this forum.

 

I agree with his tempo being too slow, at foot strike, his arm isn't at its highest point. I also think his follow-thru puts some undo pressure on his shoulder as far as deceleration with a slight recoil and the lacking of what should be a more peaceful slowing down process of that great arm speed. Part of it might be caused by him flying open and throwing across his body when he breaks down mechanically.

 

 

Thanks for the warm welcome, everybody!!

 

PingHitter,

 

You may be right though I can't say for sure. I'm not exactly a fan of his front side mechanics...you'll notice if you look at each graphic his glove is more by his side at release. He does firm it up, but I would rather see him firm it up earlier and have him keep the glove out in front of his chest. This is said to help protect the shoulder from some of the pounding that naturally occurs through pitching.

 

I wasn't aware that he had a big problem flying open, but if he did, I would bet his front side mechanics would be a possible cause of that.

 

To me, I wonder how his follow-thru would look w/his stride leg foot (left foot) landing more closed than it is now. But, he does great stuff and generates alot of torque b/c of his arm speed, so I can see why teams would be in fear of numerous alterations given his abilities despite the numerous arm injuries by eliminating the splitter. You're correct in pointing out the change in his arm circle.

 

I shouldn't have said flying open as that's incorrect, but he does throw across his body.

[weis21]

Also, before I forget, for anybody interested...

 

I published the second part of this trade review, which is in the same vein as the Harden article and contains the same video analysis, except this time on Gaudin, Gallagher, and Murton among others. The link is below:

 

http://www.baseball-intellect.com/Articles/sean-gallagher-chad-gaudin.html

Another great piece! I've never concerned myself much with mechanics and such, but after reading your articles I find them quite interesting. Your writing style is really conducive to learning for newbies like me.

[AEisenberg]

Also, before I forget, for anybody interested...

 

I published the second part of this trade review, which is in the same vein as the Harden article and contains the same video analysis, except this time on Gaudin, Gallagher, and Murton among others. The link is below:

 

http://www.baseball-intellect.com/Articles/sean-gallagher-chad-gaudin.html

Another great piece! I've never concerned myself much with mechanics and such, but after reading your articles I find them quite interesting. Your writing style is really conducive to learning for newbies like me.

 

Thanks. I've spent a long time studying the mechanics of baseball, studied Kinesiology in college (the science behind how the body moves), and felt one aspect of baseball there was very little coverage on was the actual mechanics of baseball and there were even fewer sites using video to supplement the scouting reports provided on various players.

 

I have a background in journalism, so that helps in trying to explain everything in a way that is easy to understand. In any case, I'm glad you've taken an interest and enjoyed my work. Thanks again.

[AEisenberg]

 

To me, I wonder how his follow-thru would look w/his stride leg foot (left foot) landing more closed than it is now. But, he does great stuff and generates alot of torque b/c of his arm speed, so I can see why teams would be in fear of numerous alterations given his abilities despite the numerous arm injuries by eliminating the splitter. You're correct in pointing out the change in his arm circle.

 

I shouldn't have said flying open as that's incorrect, but he does throw across his body.

 

Anything you would suggest to fix this problem? Not necessarily for Harden himself because of the risky nature it is to alter the mechanics of a pitcher that is already so good, but in general.

[UK1679666180]

I'd like to see a straight line from his pivot foot to home plate and see where his stride foot lands. It could be that he generates so much torque with his hips that he has to fall off the mound like that, but it does look like his stride foot is too open/towards 1st base, IMO.