Jeff Passan "Single Season HR Record Set To Fall"

[Stradling]

I figured pitching velocity being up had more to do with the expectations of starting pitchers going only 6 innings or so.  

[AngelsFanSince86]

1 hour ago, Stradling said:

I figured pitching velocity being up had more to do with the expectations of starting pitchers going only 6 innings or so.  

I think its a combination of this and of expectations.  The radar gun wasn't really as commonplace until recently.  It's now widely available and used at many levels of the game.  Scouts grade pitchers on their average fastball velocity.  This has all taken time to trickle down, but now it starts at a young age.  Combine that with the ever improving training regiments and the fact they aren't expected to pitch as many innings as they used to and you get an influx of flamethrowers.  

You would expect that if these guys were all taking steroids that they would not get injured as often as they do, but it seems the opposite is true.  They are overworking their arms to produce the desired velocity and in the process are wearing down their arms.  

[Angels#1Fan]

Pitchers throwing harder..record pace for home runs?

Yeah, it's better training and the natural evolution of the players..yeah, that's it.

[Angel Oracle]

The Fisters may end up being successful ultimately, due to MLB hitters getting more used to high velocity pitchers.