LA Times: Angels' Jered Weaver, Garrett Richards are thinking finesse, not speed

[AngelsWin.com]

Veteran right-hander once threw in the mid-90s, much like his younger counterpart does now, before gradually losing velocity. But they believe that there is more to pitching than throwing hard.

TEMPE, Ariz. â€” Jered Weaver was just like Garrett Richards a few years back, a young buck with the mound bravado that often accompanies a 95-mph fastball.

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[Second Base]

I don't think Richards needs to be emulating Weaver too much.  They're just two different pitchers, and to be accurate, Weav never threw as hard as Richards does, he's always held the advantage of deception, movement and control.  Whereas Richards has swing and miss stuff but is pitching to contact until he gains more confidence. 

 

In particular, I like what Richards has been doing with his curve ball.  If he keeps throwing that for a strike, opponents won't know what to do.  96 mph 4-seamer, 94 mph sinking FB, 92 mph 2-seamer, knee-buckling 12-6 and wipeout slider. 

[Angelsjunky]

Richards may be one of those pitchers for him everything just gels at once and he goes from a #5/mopup pitcher to  #2-3 starter in the blink of an eye.

[ukyah]

so, unless it's just me somehow, are we now just posting partial articles that require subscription?