New pitchers - same problem

[nate]

Angels are last in MLB in first pitch strikes.  http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10835243/los-angeles-angels-miss-strike-zone-no-other-team-mlb

 

I am sure it has nothing to do with the philosophy of their pitching coach, right?

[Halos of Anaheim]

First pitch strikes are a false stat.

[Chuck]

I'm pretty sure Butcher has instructed all of his pitchers to throw ball one when they take the rubber. 

[mancini79]

So the Angels philosophy is to start every AB with a 1-0 count? Angels must have lost yesterday because stupid threads are plentiful today.

[HBMike]

CJ has always been a nibbler and Santiago was  walking guys with the White Sox. Get a F*** ing clue. Butcher has done pretty nice job with the young starters. 

Edited April 27, 2014 by HBMike

[eligrba]

That is what I would expect with a young staff. First pitch strikes at the major league level are not that easy and require knowledge and skill. Young pitchers are developing both.

[Stradling]

Nate you're smarter than this.

[Broad Street]

Guys... GUYS!!!! It's ok, Sosh isn't worries. He's never worried.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Nate. normally I'm with you on most things. I don't believe that throwing first pitch balls has anything to do with the teachings of a pitching coach. I'm sure there isn't a pitching coach at any level who tells his guys to get behind in the count. Mike Butcher isn't the top pitching coach around by a long shot, but this is a gigantic reach.

[nate]

It all comes down to gameplan.  We have seen it year after year, Angels pitchers are not aggressive enough.

 

The moronic condescending comments about Butcher telling them to throw balls is hilarious.  It is about teaching control and emphasizing first pitch strikes.

[Stradling]

Let me know which pitching coaches will help Santiago and Wilson throw more strikes. Hell, even Richards for the most part, he's never had much control. Should I keep going? Ok, Skaggs big problem last year was control with the D-Backs.

[SC81]

Someone has to be last.  I worry more about WHIP and ERA.

[nate]

Let me know which pitching coaches will help Santiago and Wilson throw more strikes. Hell, even Richards for the most part, he's never had much control. Should I keep going? Ok, Skaggs big problem last year was control with the D-Backs.

 

Except the Angels aren't last in walks.  It is strategy.  Butcher goes with the milquetoast nibble approach.  You can see it with all the pitchers on the team outside of Weaver.  None of the Angels pitchers actually challenge batters.  The fact is, if you don't get strike 1, you are setting yourself up for failure.

[Stradling]

I don't believe it's an approach as much as it is lack of execution.

[Splint7438]

I don't believe it's an approach as much as it is lack of execution.

are you calling for the execution of our pitching coach?

[nate]

I don't believe it's an approach as much as it is lack of execution.

 

If only there was a coach that could help with that execution.  Some sort of pitching coach maybe.

[Stradling]

The same coach that has, as you put it earlier, helped them not walk many

[AngelsFaninGA]

Why do pitchers on the Angels seemingly have more control issues than those on every other team? Butcher or not, there's something wrong there. 

[Second Base]

The last thing I'm worried about is our starters. They're performing brilliantly. It's our relievers that keep throwing first pitch balls that's screwing them. They fall behind, become predictable and get hit.

In fact, our relievers are throws balls instead of strikes in just about every pitch.

[arch stanton]

Why do pitchers on the Angels seemingly have more control issues than those on every other team? Butcher or not, there's something wrong there. 

I guess the obvious answer to that question is that they don't.

[nate]

The same coach that has, as you put it earlier, helped them not walk many

 

They are 5th to last.  Nice try though.

[Inside Pitch]

Except the Angels aren't last in walks.  It is strategy.  Butcher goes with the milquetoast nibble approach.  You can see it with all the pitchers on the team outside of Weaver.  None of the Angels pitchers actually challenge batters.  The fact is, if you don't get strike 1, you are setting yourself up for failure.

 

Just curious, have you taken a look at the contact or miss rates for the Angels pitches in and out of the zone at all?.  You seem fairly confident that it's an actual strategy.  I'm not at all being a wiseass, I'm genuinely curious if you have looked at the data to see if there is any correlation between first pitch strikes and their actual performance as it relates to how the pitching staff is getting guys out in relation to the rest of the league because I haven't looked at it at all..  I there's any correlation then that's something worth following.

Edited April 28, 2014 by Inside Pitch

[nate]

The article goes into detail about it.

 

Angels pitchers nibble more than any team I have ever seen.

[Angel Oracle]

Butchey is sleeping well though.

Actually, the starters would make me sleep well too.

[dimitrig]

Angels are last in MLB in first pitch strikes.  http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10835243/los-angeles-angels-miss-strike-zone-no-other-team-mlb

 

I am sure it has nothing to do with the philosophy of their pitching coach, right?

 

I think it has more to do with the pitchers they have. The Angels only have about 6 pitchers that are any good and even some of the ones that are good (like Wilson) are nibblers.

Edited April 28, 2014 by dimitrig