Scouting report on Ryan Dempster?

[third eye]

Obviously the numbers and peripherals have been great this year. But from a mechanics/stuff perspective, what has the big difference been? Has he added a plus pitch? Just better command of his existing pitches? Is there a real reason we can point to for the great performance thus far?

[sporrer17]

I wouldn't know much about the difference in his mechanics or anything like that, but I would say building some confidence in the bullpen in high-pressure spots and coming in this spring in the best shape of his career have something to do with it.

 

He's also added that timing mechanism with his glove flip/wave thing. That's more of a mental thing, but he's always had good pure talent, consistency was a big problem. Health + consistency + confidence + pre-existing talent= one suddenly dangerous starting pitcher.

[BigSlick]

Nthing the better shape thing. I wouldn't have said Dempster was fat before, but he looks like he's lost about 20 pounds from last year.

 

Same thing with Ramirez, he also looks like he's slimmed down and added some muscle.

[sneakypower]

he's not tipping his pitches

he's sacrificed velo on his fastball for more movement

throwing his fastball much more, likely helping helping him reach best BB rate of career

[third eye]

he's not tipping his pitches

 

Is that the reason for the glove waggle? IIRC, there was some discussion about possibly tipping pitches toward the end of last year, but I hadn't heard anything about the rationale behind the new glove tick.

[sneakypower]

yes, and it was his idea to start doing it

[rocket]

i'll be very disappointed if dempster's glove waggle isn't included in next year's baseball video games.

[third eye]

yes, and it was his idea to start doing it

 

Those crafty Canucks :D

[Clem Fandango]

I think the reason for his success this year is the glove wiggle, but not because of the timing or pitch tipping. It's probably because he has a piece of sand paper glued to the palm of it. Seriously.

 

Disclaimer: Not serious

[Donzo1679666396]

On two occasions this year, I saw him reference learning from Maddux in his last stint with the Cubs.

 

Just the whole professional approach of pitching- watching tape, setting hitters up, extreme focus, mental toughness etc etc... Dempster said this has made a huge difference for him. Something I learned last night is how good he's been in the clubhouse- Sutcliffe said he was the leader of the Cubs clubhouse... Watching an under aching talent like Dempster mature & put it all together is one of the funner things for me in sports.

 

BTW, the whole learning from Maddux thing, was suggested to Dempster by---- Stone..... Dempster said Stoney told him to attach himself to Maddux & learn whatever he can from him--- Stone told Dempster if he took the same approach as Maddux, Dempster would be one of the top five pitchers in the game..... Stoney & his crazy predictions- awesome!

[bhogg]

voo doo

[Donzo1679666396]

He throws a slider here the inning is over--- slider--- boom, inning over.

 

it's scary!

[NCCubFan]

I'm actually hoping for Dempster to win the Cy Young Award over Zambrano this year. Z is just coming into his own and should have more chances in the future, while Dempster is having a career year that he may not repeat, so this may be his one and only chance. I'll take it if they finish 1-2 in either order, though.

[Ivy.n.Denver]

I'm sure that would make him much easier to sign in the off-season.

[NCCubFan]

I'm sure that would make him much easier to sign in the off-season.

If he's set on returning to the Cubs and willing to give a hometown discount I don't think that would be much of a factor.

[Brett]

I'm sure that would make him much easier to sign in the off-season.

If he's set on returning to the Cubs and willing to give a hometown discount I don't think that would be much of a factor.

 

Eh. If I'm him, I just can't let myself give a discount. This is his one chance to REALLY cash in. And he deserves it.

[GhostRunner]

I'm sure that would make him much easier to sign in the off-season.

Did CT change his name? Or is blue the new sarcasm green?

[Wilson A2000]

Did Dempster use his splitter as effectively as a closer as he is now? I have heard that a splitter puts more pressure on the arm, so most guys don't try to use it. I hope he stays healthy, but I don't think he has had injury problems lately has he?

[NCCubFan]

I'm sure that would make him much easier to sign in the off-season.

If he's set on returning to the Cubs and willing to give a hometown discount I don't think that would be much of a factor.

 

Eh. If I'm him, I just can't let myself give a discount. This is his one chance to REALLY cash in. And he deserves it.

He could give a discount and still be a very rich man. Getting top dollar isn't everything.

[Skyballer]

I don't ever remember Dempster using a splitter before. Is this the first year using it? I always remember him being fastball/slider.

[David]

http://www.homeruncards.com/imagesrc/ryan-dempster.jpg

[Clem Fandango]

I'm sure that would make him much easier to sign in the off-season.

If he's set on returning to the Cubs and willing to give a hometown discount I don't think that would be much of a factor.

 

Eh. If I'm him, I just can't let myself give a discount. This is his one chance to REALLY cash in. And he deserves it.

He could give a discount and still be a very rich man. Getting top dollar isn't everything.

 

Or he doesn't give a discount and we let him walk and take what I would assume would be pretty good draft picks (did I get that right? don't know much about Free Agent Types)