284 sats \ 6 replies \ @Cje95 16 Apr \ on: CJ Wilson / @Str8edgeracer AMA AMA
Hey CJ! As a huge baseball fan (sorry I am from Houston so I grew up an Astros fan) what are your thoughts on flat arm syndrome that seems to be striking down pitchers across baseball? Is there something there or is it being overhyped as the cause?
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671 sats \ 5 replies \ @CJWracing OP 16 Apr
right now guys are getting hurt because of a few things:
  1. pitch clock (I have tweeted about this a lot)
  2. emphasis on throwing 100 instead of 0.00 ERA (velo vs pitching)
  3. taking away grip substances, which forces players to 'squeeze' the ball harder and damages the entire kinetic chain in the forearm/elbow/shoulder
when you promote dumb throwers with 5.00 ERA because they throw 99mph, you're not rewarding good behavior. MLB scouts are not the brightest, and can hide behind radar gun readings "hey this guy throws hard at least" whereas the nuance of pitchers who can actually pitch is harder to spot.
My ability to make the ball move and therefore NOT give up homeruns was way more valuable than my raw velocity. That's what allowed me to be creative and try different tactics, different pitches etc. I was not just a one trick pony...that's why I lasted as long as I did with 'average' velocity.
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150 sats \ 1 reply \ @Cje95 16 Apr
That makes a ton of sense! I don't know if you ever messed with it but I think its Japan that they pre-tac their baseballs is that something MLB should look into to address the 3rd point?
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120 sats \ 0 replies \ @CJWracing OP 16 Apr
100% if MLB baseballs had a more uniform coating/ process it would reduce arm issues a ton. Baseball slipperiness varies day to day and has to do with the work ethic of the clubhouse team and the umpires. Slick baseballs = problems
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100 sats \ 2 replies \ @grayruby 16 Apr
who is your favourite pitcher to watch now?
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110 sats \ 1 reply \ @CJWracing OP 16 Apr
I really like watching Scherzer when he is healthy, along with Cole and Kershaw. Strider is a beast, sad to see him get hurt. I really like seeing Alcantara from Miami throw 200+ IP. Glasnow is a total beast when he is on, I really hope he stays healthy.
I have to say the guys who only go 4 2/3s and 5IP are NOT my favorites to watch. I'm absolutely baffled that managers and front offices are emphasizing that type of pitcher to be in their starting rotation.
Nolan Ryan said something to me that made a lot of sense at the time:
The more pitchers you put in a game, the more likely one of them is to have an off day and cost you a win.
The better the starting pitcher, the longer he should be encouraged to go.
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100 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby 16 Apr
If it's good enough for Nolan, it's good enough for me. Haha.
Thanks for the response.
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