Harden's velocity is way down

[UMFan83]

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=234468

 

"For not pitching for two weeks, I wanted to keep my walks down; that was my goal today," said Harden, who had five double-digit strikeout games before shoulder woes sidelined him.

 

"I don't know why everybody puts so much on velocity," Harden said. "Location's always the most important thing, change of speed."

 

 

It's a bit overboard to claim he's not the same pitcher. This is the what Harden has to do to keep pitching. Dial it back at times, get some extra rest, leave games early. He did it before coming to the Cubs and he's been doing it since joining the Cubs.

 

So if this is a playoff game, do you think he's hitting 93 consistently?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Hasn't it been publicly stated, by Harden, that he doesn't try to blow people away anymore like he used to earlier in his career. I chalk up the down velocity to the long layoff and a maturing pitcher knowing he can get people out without throwing as hard as he can....JMO.

 

That is a good point.

 

He made that comment ealier this year when he was still humping up that fastball to 96 and regularly throwing 93. Now he isn't doing it even when in a jam. I hope that he still can--and does occassionally in the play-offs. I am a big fan of power arms in the play-offs. They usually win. Time will tell.

 

 

Harden's average velocity as a Cub is under 92. Yesterday it was just under 90. That means this is the only start his "velocity has been down", and it comes in his first outing in 2 weeks, where he still pitched very well, and still hit 94 at the end of his outing. "Harden's velocity is way down, he isn't the same pitcher" is trite, fatalistic, and an overwrought reaction considering the actual details of Harden's time with the Cubs and last night's start.

[Warren Brusstar]

Hasn't it been publicly stated, by Harden, that he doesn't try to blow people away anymore like he used to earlier in his career. I chalk up the down velocity to the long layoff and a maturing pitcher knowing he can get people out without throwing as hard as he can....JMO.

 

That is a good point.

 

He made that comment ealier this year when he was still humping up that fastball to 96 and regularly throwing 93. Now he isn't doing it even when in a jam. I hope that he still can--and does occassionally in the play-offs. I am a big fan of power arms in the play-offs. They usually win. Time will tell.

 

 

Harden's average velocity as a Cub is under 92. Yesterday it was just under 90. That means this is the only start his "velocity has been down", and it comes in his first outing in 2 weeks, where he still pitched very well, and still hit 94 at the end of his outing. "Harden's velocity is way down, he isn't the same pitcher" is trite, fatalistic, and an overwrought reaction considering the actual details of Harden's time with the Cubs and last night's start.

 

Consider the source.

[rocket]

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=234468

 

"For not pitching for two weeks, I wanted to keep my walks down; that was my goal today," said Harden, who had five double-digit strikeout games before shoulder woes sidelined him.

 

"I don't know why everybody puts so much on velocity," Harden said. "Location's always the most important thing, change of speed."

 

 

It's a bit overboard to claim he's not the same pitcher. This is the what Harden has to do to keep pitching. Dial it back at times, get some extra rest, leave games early. He did it before coming to the Cubs and he's been doing it since joining the Cubs.

 

So if this is a playoff game, do you think he's hitting 93 consistently?

 

yes

[jersey cubs fan]

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=234468

 

"For not pitching for two weeks, I wanted to keep my walks down; that was my goal today," said Harden, who had five double-digit strikeout games before shoulder woes sidelined him.

 

"I don't know why everybody puts so much on velocity," Harden said. "Location's always the most important thing, change of speed."

 

 

It's a bit overboard to claim he's not the same pitcher. This is the what Harden has to do to keep pitching. Dial it back at times, get some extra rest, leave games early. He did it before coming to the Cubs and he's been doing it since joining the Cubs.

 

So if this is a playoff game, do you think he's hitting 93 consistently?

 

If it's the same long layoff in between? Probably not. If he pitches in the playoffs on 5-7 days rest, I'm sure he'll be dialing it up when needed.

[YearofDaCubs]

You know I really do believe Harden when he says he's took off velocity on purpose. There are times where he will be throwing his fastball at 88 and at times 94-95 and the occasional 97-98. Call me crazy but I do believe him when he says he's not throwing as hard to prevent injury. He's had only 1 bad outing since he's been there. That is incredible.

[Soul]

It's not like he wasn't getting outs last night. He pitched pretty darn good, outside of the one little blip. It was only 2 runs. Pujols doubles off everyone.

 

I'm not worried based off last night's performance at all. It was a pretty good outing.

[twothousandfive]

one scout said he looked like a guy trying to work himself into shape in a spring training game.

 

Hmmm. . . six innings on March 11, that would typically be followed by six on March 17 ( I think they offer the extra day early in ST) seeking spots to crank up his fastball, then six on March 22 doing much the same, see if he can go six + on March 27 perhaps holding back just a bit, Opening Day starter on April 1 (not this year, but often.) maybe going seven innings. I think Harden is right on track for the playoffs.

 

More likely, given the challenges the hurricane will present, they can pitch him on five days against Mil on Tues, and get a sense of how he's recovering -- even predetermine that it's five innings. If he feels pretty good, then they know his first start back after an extended layoff might be subpar (but still pretty good, and he can keep going). That would offer the opportunity to give him seven days between starts and send him out against the Mets, then he can be ready on Day 5 after that for the playoffs. Or give him nine and he should be set for game three.

 

Yesterdays start may not have been dominating, but as a lead-up to the playoffs, it fit the bill.

[bcl412]

I am not worried in the least bit. As other people have said, this is what Harden does. He is pretty much a fastball changeup pitcher at this point. He does throw breaking stuff occasionally but he pretty much throws those two pitches.

 

Harden looks like a really smart pitcher and knows you aren't going to get by as a starter by throwing two pitches, so he throws fastballs with different velocities and it is clearly really effective as he has only had one bad outing since joining the Cubs.

[Peoriaman]

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=234468

 

"For not pitching for two weeks, I wanted to keep my walks down; that was my goal today," said Harden, who had five double-digit strikeout games before shoulder woes sidelined him.

 

"I don't know why everybody puts so much on velocity," Harden said. "Location's always the most important thing, change of speed."

 

 

It's a bit overboard to claim he's not the same pitcher. This is the what Harden has to do to keep pitching. Dial it back at times, get some extra rest, leave games early. He did it before coming to the Cubs and he's been doing it since joining the Cubs.

 

 

Thanks for the link. Good points.

[Old Style]

ZOMG! WE'RE DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!

 

actually I think that is an overreation. I think there is a reasonable chance that Harden can get his velocity back. Even if he doesn't, he can still be a quality pitcher.

 

I am very optimistic of the Cub's chances in the play-offs.

 

LOL at this guy taking the above post seriously

 

 

I am actually laughing at you for not appreciating MY sarcasm.

 

I make a post that Harden's velocity is obviously down for 2 straight games, and suddenly I am proclaiming doom and gloom. I am the last guy to do that. I am the eternal optimist.

 

Welcome to NSBB...

I actually was serious. I'm posting from the ledge of the Sears Tower right now. I can't bear to see another Cub loss. Hold on, Harry. I'm coming. Get ready to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" one more time.

[Fro]

I am not worried in the least bit. As other people have said, this is what Harden does. He is pretty much a fastball changeup pitcher at this point. He does throw breaking stuff occasionally but he pretty much throws those two pitches.

 

Harden looks like a really smart pitcher and knows you aren't going to get by as a starter by throwing two pitches, so he throws fastballs with different velocities and it is clearly really effective as he has only had one bad outing since joining the Cubs.

 

Yep, that's what makes him so good, all those fastballs let him throw in such a range that the speed blends together with his changeup speeds.

[UK1679666180]

I'm still concerned about his shoulder heading into this post-season. The way he looked after his last start before yesterday, him grabbing his shoulder like he had between innings and what not. He has such a quick arm that there is alot of tension in slowing it down. I don't think he's 100%, whether it's pitching himself back into 100% or pitching thru pain, he wasn't as sharp as he's been even w/out factoring velo.

 

They have to baby him from here till October as far as stressful outings.

[nolanwood]

I am not worried in the least bit. As other people have said, this is what Harden does. He is pretty much a fastball changeup pitcher at this point. He does throw breaking stuff occasionally but he pretty much throws those two pitches.

 

Harden looks like a really smart pitcher and knows you aren't going to get by as a starter by throwing two pitches, so he throws fastballs with different velocities and it is clearly really effective as he has only had one bad outing since joining the Cubs.

 

:thumbsup:

[David]

I'm still concerned about his shoulder heading into this post-season. The way he looked after his last start before yesterday, him grabbing his shoulder like he had between innings and what not. He has such a quick arm that there is alot of tension in slowing it down. I don't think he's 100%, whether it's pitching himself back into 100% or pitching thru pain, he wasn't as sharp as he's been even w/out factoring velo.

 

They have to baby him from here till October as far as stressful outings.

 

Ping should have a special title of some kind here so that it's not only the long time board regulars who know that he isn't just some random fan pulling these types of opinions out of his misinformed ass.

[Laura]

Thoughts based on today's performance?

[Peoriaman]

Much better today as far as velocity. Goosed it up to 94 and 95 a few times. Command was poor, but he had better stuff than last time.

[jersey cubs fan]

Thoughts based on today's performance?

 

3 weeks to live

[Laura]

Thoughts based on today's performance?

 

3 weeks to live

 

Hopefully Lou considers this when making his playoff rotation.

[Brett]

Much better today as far as velocity. Goosed it up to 94 and 95 a few times. Command was poor, but he had better stuff than last time.

 

That is a relative relief. With the way he changes speeds, velocity is obviously important - though it seems like he can get by sitting in the low 90s.