One more day of June baseball to play... Yet June of Twenty-Seventeen already holds the record in MLB: The most home-runs slugged ever in one month - including the PED-era.
And yet, all the naive people in here continue to argue it's not a juiced ball.
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Quote Originally Posted by Pendo:
One more day of June baseball to play... Yet June of Twenty-Seventeen already holds the record in MLB: The most home-runs slugged ever in one month - including the PED-era.
And yet, all the naive people in here continue to argue it's not a juiced ball.
In my opinion, this is the main reason for the increase in HRs. Players are crushing the ball and have forgotten how to play small ball. We've seen so many double digit scores this season, it's become so commonplace now. In this day and age when steroid use isn't as rampant as the Barry Bonds era, players are still getting an advantage from somewhere. Crappy bullpens, and juiced baseballs are probably factors to some degree.
I believe the term the sports-casters have coined is called "launch angle". So many pitchers trying to keep the ball low in the strike zone has forced the batter to adapt to this type of swing.
I agree with what the MLB casters were saying that if the pitcher would throw higher in the zone at least occasionally it would keep the batter guessing more instead of just developing a "golf swing" at the plate.
Pitchers who keep the batters guessing give up less homers anyways. Your goal as a pitcher is to never be predictable. Look at what Chapman COULD BE if he would occasionally drop in a 70 MPH curve. Everything at 100 is no guess to the batter.
I would think that if the pitcher has 95 mph and higher velocity they should be working the upper half of the zone more because the batter can't get the "launch angle" they need.
One of the worst pitches to ever throw is a low inside pitch to a pull hitter...bye bye..They will golf it right out of here.
Develop high heat fastballs and then work a sinker pitch in around that height and that will reduce HR's.
Blake Treinen has the NASTIEST stuff in the league IMO. 97 cutter and the bottom drops out...CMON..
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Quote Originally Posted by Sareesataka:
In my opinion, this is the main reason for the increase in HRs. Players are crushing the ball and have forgotten how to play small ball. We've seen so many double digit scores this season, it's become so commonplace now. In this day and age when steroid use isn't as rampant as the Barry Bonds era, players are still getting an advantage from somewhere. Crappy bullpens, and juiced baseballs are probably factors to some degree.
I believe the term the sports-casters have coined is called "launch angle". So many pitchers trying to keep the ball low in the strike zone has forced the batter to adapt to this type of swing.
I agree with what the MLB casters were saying that if the pitcher would throw higher in the zone at least occasionally it would keep the batter guessing more instead of just developing a "golf swing" at the plate.
Pitchers who keep the batters guessing give up less homers anyways. Your goal as a pitcher is to never be predictable. Look at what Chapman COULD BE if he would occasionally drop in a 70 MPH curve. Everything at 100 is no guess to the batter.
I would think that if the pitcher has 95 mph and higher velocity they should be working the upper half of the zone more because the batter can't get the "launch angle" they need.
One of the worst pitches to ever throw is a low inside pitch to a pull hitter...bye bye..They will golf it right out of here.
Develop high heat fastballs and then work a sinker pitch in around that height and that will reduce HR's.
Blake Treinen has the NASTIEST stuff in the league IMO. 97 cutter and the bottom drops out...CMON..
I believe the term the sports-casters have coined is called "launch angle". So many pitchers trying to keep the ball low in the strike zone has forced the batter to adapt to this type of swing.
I agree with what the MLB casters were saying that if the pitcher would throw higher in the zone at least occasionally it would keep the batter guessing more instead of just developing a "golf swing" at the plate.
Pitchers who keep the batters guessing give up less homers anyways. Your goal as a pitcher is to never be predictable. Look at what Chapman COULD BE if he would occasionally drop in a 70 MPH curve. Everything at 100 is no guess to the batter.
I would think that if the pitcher has 95 mph and higher velocity they should be working the upper half of the zone more because the batter can't get the "launch angle" they need.
One of the worst pitches to ever throw is a low inside pitch to a pull hitter...bye bye..They will golf it right out of here.
Develop high heat fastballs and then work a sinker pitch in around that height and that will reduce HR's.
Blake Treinen has the NASTIEST stuff in the league IMO. 97 cutter and the bottom drops out...CMON..
Blake Treinen's nasty stuff didn't look too nasty yesterday. He needed ONE out for a victory with a two run lead and instead gave up 3 runs and lost. His nasty stuff has helped him earn a 6.11 ERA.
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Quote Originally Posted by Qwan61:
I believe the term the sports-casters have coined is called "launch angle". So many pitchers trying to keep the ball low in the strike zone has forced the batter to adapt to this type of swing.
I agree with what the MLB casters were saying that if the pitcher would throw higher in the zone at least occasionally it would keep the batter guessing more instead of just developing a "golf swing" at the plate.
Pitchers who keep the batters guessing give up less homers anyways. Your goal as a pitcher is to never be predictable. Look at what Chapman COULD BE if he would occasionally drop in a 70 MPH curve. Everything at 100 is no guess to the batter.
I would think that if the pitcher has 95 mph and higher velocity they should be working the upper half of the zone more because the batter can't get the "launch angle" they need.
One of the worst pitches to ever throw is a low inside pitch to a pull hitter...bye bye..They will golf it right out of here.
Develop high heat fastballs and then work a sinker pitch in around that height and that will reduce HR's.
Blake Treinen has the NASTIEST stuff in the league IMO. 97 cutter and the bottom drops out...CMON..
Blake Treinen's nasty stuff didn't look too nasty yesterday. He needed ONE out for a victory with a two run lead and instead gave up 3 runs and lost. His nasty stuff has helped him earn a 6.11 ERA.
I guess it only took batters about 2 years to figure out the magic homerun swing that no one could figure out in over 100 years of baseball...
You DO understand I did not disagree with the loaded baseballs theory?
IMO, you are seeing a different thinking from players that were never considered or will ever be home run hitters developing the golf swing attempting to be long ball hitters.
This was not as prevalent in past years as it is today. Pete Rose accepted his role as a singles contact hitter and never tried to be a HR hitter. Had he "trained" himself to that role he would have likely hit more HR.
I dont know if it is about press coverage nut hugging the HR hitters and showing their highlight reel HR's on TV or whether there is a pay advantage for the player to be considered a long ball threat.
Clearly, the HR threat guy can overstay his time in the majors simply because of this alone. Most HR hitters typically hit low average...fact. If a single guy hitter hits at that average they will be in the minors pretty quick...
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Quote Originally Posted by undermysac:
I guess it only took batters about 2 years to figure out the magic homerun swing that no one could figure out in over 100 years of baseball...
You DO understand I did not disagree with the loaded baseballs theory?
IMO, you are seeing a different thinking from players that were never considered or will ever be home run hitters developing the golf swing attempting to be long ball hitters.
This was not as prevalent in past years as it is today. Pete Rose accepted his role as a singles contact hitter and never tried to be a HR hitter. Had he "trained" himself to that role he would have likely hit more HR.
I dont know if it is about press coverage nut hugging the HR hitters and showing their highlight reel HR's on TV or whether there is a pay advantage for the player to be considered a long ball threat.
Clearly, the HR threat guy can overstay his time in the majors simply because of this alone. Most HR hitters typically hit low average...fact. If a single guy hitter hits at that average they will be in the minors pretty quick...
Actually,,, it used to be Haiti,,, it's Costa Rica now.... I remember getting that wrong years ago playing along on that old tv show Who Wants To Be a Millionare for the $500,000 question... i was stunned and pissed
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Quote Originally Posted by Pendo:
Haiti makes most of the balls
Actually,,, it used to be Haiti,,, it's Costa Rica now.... I remember getting that wrong years ago playing along on that old tv show Who Wants To Be a Millionare for the $500,000 question... i was stunned and pissed
I believe the term the sports-casters have coined is called "launch angle". So many pitchers trying to keep the ball low in the strike zone has forced the batter to adapt to this type of swing.
I agree with what the MLB casters were saying that if the pitcher would throw higher in the zone at least occasionally it would keep the batter guessing more instead of just developing a "golf swing" at the plate.
Pitchers who keep the batters guessing give up less homers anyways. Your goal as a pitcher is to never be predictable. Look at what Chapman COULD BE if he would occasionally drop in a 70 MPH curve. Everything at 100 is no guess to the batter.
I would think that if the pitcher has 95 mph and higher velocity they should be working the upper half of the zone more because the batter can't get the "launch angle" they need.
One of the worst pitches to ever throw is a low inside pitch to a pull hitter...bye bye..They will golf it right out of here.
Develop high heat fastballs and then work a sinker pitch in around that height and that will reduce HR's.
Blake Treinen has the NASTIEST stuff in the league IMO. 97 cutter and the bottom drops out...CMON..
Craig Kimbrel just said in SI : "When I was young I was always told to keep the ball down. But I learned that good hitters, especially lefties crush low fastballs. Today I keep all the hard stuff up high but will throw breaking pitches down. It works for me."
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Quote Originally Posted by Qwan61:
I believe the term the sports-casters have coined is called "launch angle". So many pitchers trying to keep the ball low in the strike zone has forced the batter to adapt to this type of swing.
I agree with what the MLB casters were saying that if the pitcher would throw higher in the zone at least occasionally it would keep the batter guessing more instead of just developing a "golf swing" at the plate.
Pitchers who keep the batters guessing give up less homers anyways. Your goal as a pitcher is to never be predictable. Look at what Chapman COULD BE if he would occasionally drop in a 70 MPH curve. Everything at 100 is no guess to the batter.
I would think that if the pitcher has 95 mph and higher velocity they should be working the upper half of the zone more because the batter can't get the "launch angle" they need.
One of the worst pitches to ever throw is a low inside pitch to a pull hitter...bye bye..They will golf it right out of here.
Develop high heat fastballs and then work a sinker pitch in around that height and that will reduce HR's.
Blake Treinen has the NASTIEST stuff in the league IMO. 97 cutter and the bottom drops out...CMON..
Craig Kimbrel just said in SI : "When I was young I was always told to keep the ball down. But I learned that good hitters, especially lefties crush low fastballs. Today I keep all the hard stuff up high but will throw breaking pitches down. It works for me."
MLB's record for home runs in a month was May in the year 2000... Blasted by that mark.
1,101 hit in June.
The Dodgers hit 53, breaking a franchise record for a calendar year. All while hitting a sexy .250...remember when Dodger stadium was a pitcher's park?
Cody Bellinger has a beautiful swing. Reminds me of Griffey Jr.
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Quote Originally Posted by Pendo:
MLB's record for home runs in a month was May in the year 2000... Blasted by that mark.
1,101 hit in June.
The Dodgers hit 53, breaking a franchise record for a calendar year. All while hitting a sexy .250...remember when Dodger stadium was a pitcher's park?
Cody Bellinger has a beautiful swing. Reminds me of Griffey Jr.
Did you watch Cody Bellinger in the HR derby? Why would any pitcher throw him something down and in? He just golfs it out of the park.
His stance and arm position(pre pitch) would make any hitting coach cringe. But once he starts to load, it's one of the quickest and smoothest swings aound. Very Ken Griffey Jr. like. And yes I do agree, crazy how he get the barrel on the ball on pitches inside.
Tony Gwynn was a "golfer" as well, but he would inside out those to the opposite field.
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Quote Originally Posted by Getty3:
Did you watch Cody Bellinger in the HR derby? Why would any pitcher throw him something down and in? He just golfs it out of the park.
His stance and arm position(pre pitch) would make any hitting coach cringe. But once he starts to load, it's one of the quickest and smoothest swings aound. Very Ken Griffey Jr. like. And yes I do agree, crazy how he get the barrel on the ball on pitches inside.
Tony Gwynn was a "golfer" as well, but he would inside out those to the opposite field.
His stance and arm position(pre pitch) would make any hitting coach cringe.
If I saw players like that when I used to pitch it looked to me like they were a poor hitter and usually they were.
If I see a guy wagging the bat over the place, I would delay my pitching for one thing to let him tire his arm muscles out more. Secondly, I would throw him garbage and they would usually swing because it is a tell-tale sign that they are aggressive and WANT to swing.
One guy who had the worst stance and if you didnt know better would have thought he had never played baseball a day in his life was Rod Carew. It obviously worked very well for him...
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Quote Originally Posted by undermysac:
His stance and arm position(pre pitch) would make any hitting coach cringe.
If I saw players like that when I used to pitch it looked to me like they were a poor hitter and usually they were.
If I see a guy wagging the bat over the place, I would delay my pitching for one thing to let him tire his arm muscles out more. Secondly, I would throw him garbage and they would usually swing because it is a tell-tale sign that they are aggressive and WANT to swing.
One guy who had the worst stance and if you didnt know better would have thought he had never played baseball a day in his life was Rod Carew. It obviously worked very well for him...
What goes around, comes around, and MLB will find ways to
address the issue. Not only is the ball wound too tight but they are getting
complaints from pitchers, teams, coaches and trainers about the ball causing
more blisters than ever before because it is more difficult for the pitchers to
grip the ball properly to get the desired break on any pitch, fastballs
included.
Pitchers need to learn to pitch up in the zone. Nolan Ryan
was not afraid to do that and he struck out more guys than anyone in history.
He put that heater between the belly button and letters and hitters simply
could not catch up with it, and as an added benefit we can now appreciate it
was impossible to get the desired launch angle.
The National League needs to get out of the dark ages and
adopt the DH. That alone would get fifteen pitchers out of the major leagues
that don’t belong there. National League “purists” are only kidding themselves.
Purity has nothing to do with it. Would the same “purists” like a return to one
platoon football so they could watch their start quarterback get hurt playing
free safety? I think not.
The A.L. is running away with All-Star games and almost the
World Series. That gap will only get wider.
The concept that the N.L. is the “pitcher’s league” is also
nonsense. A.L. teams are winning in N.L. parks during Interleague play, and I
can explain why. There is no more disadvantage
to losing the DH than there is advantage
to your pitchers not facing one.
FFT
Now and then even a BLIND squirrel can find an acorn
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What goes around, comes around, and MLB will find ways to
address the issue. Not only is the ball wound too tight but they are getting
complaints from pitchers, teams, coaches and trainers about the ball causing
more blisters than ever before because it is more difficult for the pitchers to
grip the ball properly to get the desired break on any pitch, fastballs
included.
Pitchers need to learn to pitch up in the zone. Nolan Ryan
was not afraid to do that and he struck out more guys than anyone in history.
He put that heater between the belly button and letters and hitters simply
could not catch up with it, and as an added benefit we can now appreciate it
was impossible to get the desired launch angle.
The National League needs to get out of the dark ages and
adopt the DH. That alone would get fifteen pitchers out of the major leagues
that don’t belong there. National League “purists” are only kidding themselves.
Purity has nothing to do with it. Would the same “purists” like a return to one
platoon football so they could watch their start quarterback get hurt playing
free safety? I think not.
The A.L. is running away with All-Star games and almost the
World Series. That gap will only get wider.
The concept that the N.L. is the “pitcher’s league” is also
nonsense. A.L. teams are winning in N.L. parks during Interleague play, and I
can explain why. There is no more disadvantage
to losing the DH than there is advantage
to your pitchers not facing one.
trend is your friend ,,,juiced or not juiced who cares ,my primary purpose is to make $$$ , now I believe the books over compensated the O/U ,,exploit any edge & make $$$
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trend is your friend ,,,juiced or not juiced who cares ,my primary purpose is to make $$$ , now I believe the books over compensated the O/U ,,exploit any edge & make $$$
I am not ready to say the balls are juiced. If they actually are do you think the MLB will admit it? NO WAY would they admit it.
That would be like the NBA saying oh we made the hoops bigger to increase scoring and fan excitement. Not happening...
DEFINITELY no way MLB admits it. But if the problem persists with the pitchers' blisters and them missing starts, they'll have no choice but to go back to at least a semi-baseball, one that raises the seams back to their original position. To compensate for the drop in HR's at that point, they'll simply wind the core tighter, you know, like a TopFlite......
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Quote Originally Posted by Qwan61:
Here is a record of the number of HRs hit per season. It has an obvious upward slope and if past history is correct the trend will increase.
I am not ready to say the balls are juiced. If they actually are do you think the MLB will admit it? NO WAY would they admit it.
That would be like the NBA saying oh we made the hoops bigger to increase scoring and fan excitement. Not happening...
DEFINITELY no way MLB admits it. But if the problem persists with the pitchers' blisters and them missing starts, they'll have no choice but to go back to at least a semi-baseball, one that raises the seams back to their original position. To compensate for the drop in HR's at that point, they'll simply wind the core tighter, you know, like a TopFlite......
Clearly in 2014 the offensive #'s were low, and if I remember correctly it was a bad year for t.v. ratings even though there were some phenomenal pitcher performances that year. 21 teams finished with an ERA under 4 that year.
In 2015 only 15 teams had under a 4 ERA. (this is the year where this "new" ball was introduced post all star break)
In 2016 only 7 teams had under a 4 ERA.
In the current 2017 season, also only 7 teams have under a 4 ERA.
Have the batting averages changed much? No, not significantly. Are hitters better? No.
The most alarming thing to me out of all the info I've read is the lowered seams on the baseball. The articles I've linked mention how it effects the flight of the ball. But they fail to mention how important the seams are for a pitcher to grip the ball and create movement on their pitches.
We shall continue this thread for a long time I suspect
Twas my biggest concern after sifting through all the info on the subject.
Keyelement mentions movement on "fastballs" This is HUGE. To the average baseball fan, a fastball is thought to be a straight fast pitch. Of coarse, it is still thrown in that fashion. But pitchers must be selective with the 4 seamer, and it must be placed well, and it can't be a pitcher's ONLY fastball.
If it ain't cuttin, tailin or sinkin, it's going out of the park.
Ask Nathan Eovaldi how his 98-101 mph fastball worked out when it was on a clothes line? He couldn't get it to move. Eventually he started throwing a forkball/splitter which destroyed his elbow.
The fact that pitchers are developing blisters is horrible. We are only half way through.
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Quote Originally Posted by undermysac:
2013: BA=.253 HR's=4661
2014: BA=.251 HR's=4186
2015: BA=.254 HR's=4909
2016: BA=.255 HR's=5610
Clearly in 2014 the offensive #'s were low, and if I remember correctly it was a bad year for t.v. ratings even though there were some phenomenal pitcher performances that year. 21 teams finished with an ERA under 4 that year.
In 2015 only 15 teams had under a 4 ERA. (this is the year where this "new" ball was introduced post all star break)
In 2016 only 7 teams had under a 4 ERA.
In the current 2017 season, also only 7 teams have under a 4 ERA.
Have the batting averages changed much? No, not significantly. Are hitters better? No.
The most alarming thing to me out of all the info I've read is the lowered seams on the baseball. The articles I've linked mention how it effects the flight of the ball. But they fail to mention how important the seams are for a pitcher to grip the ball and create movement on their pitches.
We shall continue this thread for a long time I suspect
Twas my biggest concern after sifting through all the info on the subject.
Keyelement mentions movement on "fastballs" This is HUGE. To the average baseball fan, a fastball is thought to be a straight fast pitch. Of coarse, it is still thrown in that fashion. But pitchers must be selective with the 4 seamer, and it must be placed well, and it can't be a pitcher's ONLY fastball.
If it ain't cuttin, tailin or sinkin, it's going out of the park.
Ask Nathan Eovaldi how his 98-101 mph fastball worked out when it was on a clothes line? He couldn't get it to move. Eventually he started throwing a forkball/splitter which destroyed his elbow.
The fact that pitchers are developing blisters is horrible. We are only half way through.
Got home last night just as Molina hit the HR to tie the All Star Game. They then flashed the "launch angle and exit velocity" figures up on the screen and my immediate reaction was: My God, what have they done to this sport?
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Got home last night just as Molina hit the HR to tie the All Star Game. They then flashed the "launch angle and exit velocity" figures up on the screen and my immediate reaction was: My God, what have they done to this sport?
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