Comments on: IGD: Padres vs Astros (17 Aug 07)

By: LynchMob

LynchMob — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 16:16:40 +0000

45 … I see pictures of clips at the HBT web page … but I don’t see any links to click on that will roll video … am I missing something?

re: Linececum … I thought you said you had “no track record”

Carlos … what are your plans for pursuing your interest in “maximizing arm speed and performance”?

Who were your teachers … and how/where did you do your research?

Pitching arm health and performance are obviously 2 very complicated and valuable subjects … and it sounds like you think that even MLB teams under-invest in research/knowledge in these areas … why? In other words, do you think that these are areas that are ripe for a team getting a competitive advantage? … and, assuming so, are any teams going in that direction? … and if none, what will it take for some team to see opportunities? (I guess I gotta believe that some teams either have or are seeking those opportunities, so I guess I’m asking for your view on the history of those efforts)

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By: Carlos Gomez

Carlos Gomez — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 06:15:52 +0000

Lynch-If you go to that article link I posted, you’ll see clips of Schmidt.
In terms of credentials, all I can tell you is that I’ve done my research since I’m no Ph.D in it. Basically, I have learned from what I’ve been taught and have researched. I’m honestly not as interested in “injury stuff” as I am in maximizing arm speed and performance, so I tend to like pitchers that are more aggressive and yes—higher-risk than most.
Hence my endorsement after the draft last year of Lincecum–risky? yes. An excellent example of rotational efficiency? absolutely.

As to Peavy, he’s been on my list of projects for a while, but haven’t gotten around to do it. Peavy is a guy who again, is risky, but would you rather have Peavy tone it down and throw 87-88mph or less?
Yeah, risky… but hey, I love his aggressive mechanics.

And Anthony, thanks for the props. But I really don’t consider myself a “guru,” just a very interested, very researched observer. I’d say be very weary of annointing someone as a “guru”, but hey, thanks dude…LOL

IMO, pitching coaches, for the most part, are WAY behind in terms of knowledge of biomechanics. My pitching coaches, even at the pro level, basically spew out the same crap over and over.

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By: LynchMob

LynchMob — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 05:56:47 +0000

43 … do you, or Carlos, know anything about Balsley’s knowledge of biomechanics? he seems to be an above average pitching coach (but granted that assessment is anecdotal on my part) … and i wonder how much, if any, input he had on the draft board …

also, one more question for Carlos … what are your biomechanics credentials? … and how do you assess the knowledge of biomechanics of professional pitching coaches?

(and i wonder how anyone can be “even worse” than “shockingly ignorant”?)

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By: Anthony

Anthony — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 05:43:25 +0000

41: One thing I’ve learned from reading Carlos’ work and that of others is that professional pitching coaches are shockingly ignorant of biomechanics. I would imagine it’s even worse in high school and college.

Carlos: Have you looked at Peavy’s mechanics? His follow through has always bothered me. He seems to whip his arm across his body rather than drive it down but maybe that’s due to his low three quarters delivery.

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By: Anthony

Anthony — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 05:38:52 +0000

Schmidt is a great example of why this kind of analysis is both valuable and best left to people like Carlos who really know what they’re talking about. When Schmidt was drafted I looked at a few videos and liked what I saw because he seemed to keep his pitching arm relatively low. That just illustrates the old saw about a little knowledge being a dangerous thing. Looking at the clips in Carlos’ article it’s frightening how abruptly Schmidt stops his arm. How does a pitcher make it all the way through college with mechanics like that, and how does a major league team not see there’s a problem?

It’s particularly troubling because I thought the main selling point of drafting a guy like Schmidt was his durability. Great work as always Carlos. If I was running a team I’d be looking for opinions from you and some of the other mechanics gurus before every move.

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By: LynchMob

LynchMob — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 05:33:15 +0000

Madfriars reported last night that the Padres sign’d Brady Clark to a minor league deal … couldn’t hurt, I s’pose …

40 … can you post a link to a video clip of Schmidt? how does a pitcher stop his arm after release? why wouldn’t coaches have already changed that? THANKS for coming to Ducksnorts to discuss Nick Schmidt …

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By: Carlos Gomez

Carlos Gomez — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 05:24:36 +0000

Sources tell me that he has a torn UCL and well, TJ is what you do with a torn UCL….

Didn’t take the question to be standoffish. Your question is very valid as I have no track record.

As to what % come back?—no idea

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By: LynchMob

LynchMob — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 04:50:42 +0000

27 … Carlos … I didn’t mean for the tone of #27 to be standoffish … I appreciate the analysis you did … if you don’t have a track record, you appear to be off to a good start!

Question for you … what makes you say “possibly headed toward Tommy John surgery”? … all I’ve read says “shut down for a month” … of course, that was the precursor for Carillo also …

What % of pitchers that get TJ surgery come back better? Put another way, how much hope is there that if Schmidt does have TJ surgery that he will still contribute to the Padres in the future? (and the same question goes for Carillo)

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By: Gabe

Gabe — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 04:39:48 +0000

Bleh tomorrow is another day

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By: Rick Schroder (Turbine Dude)

Rick Schroder (Turbine Dude) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 04:38:15 +0000

#36: Not at all. And he does f*ck it up. Later.

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