Gaining velocity

[monkeywithahalo]

I know everyone noticed Tommy Hanson suddenly throwing hard again the other night, but it turns out that almost across the board, Angel pitchers are gaining velocity. After 2012 when it was pretty much the exact opposite, it makes one wonder if this is just coincidence or if the Angels are actually doing something different in terms of training, coaching or preparation.

 

You may now commence your various comments about how it couldn't possibly be anything Butcher is doing.

[Jim]

Unless it's Butcher who is supplying the PED's, I don't think it has anything to do with him. 

[HaloCory22]

They pumped up the speed gun by 5 MPH.

[monkeywithahalo]

They pumped up the speed gun by 5 MPH.

I know you are kidding, but I actually thought that might be the case when I saw Hanson touching 94 MPH but the Pitch f/x data supports it.

[HaloCory22]

I know you are kidding, but I actually thought that might be the case when I saw Hanson touching 94 MPH but the Pitch f/x data supports it.

I thought the same thing when I saw Weaver hitting 92 against Boston two weeks ago. 

[tomsred]

They secretly moved the pitching rubber in two feet.

[Jim]

They secretly moved the pitching rubber in two feet.

Shhhhhh

[Amazing Larry]

Rubber alignment is the proper term.

[monkeywithahalo]

Sure enough, somebody at least figured out how Hanson got his velo back: http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/tommy-hansons-velocity-is-back-up/

 Good stuff.

[Amazing Larry]

Sure enough, somebody at least figured out how Hanson got his velo back: http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/tommy-hansons-velocity-is-back-up/

 Good stuff.

If this is true it could be huge for the rotation.

[Angel Oracle]

It does help that both missed significant time this season, and thus still have more in the tank than normal for late July.

[monkeywithahalo]

If this is true it could be huge for the rotation.

The problem is it could also mean that his shoulder is going to disintegrate. That's why the Braves had him alter his mechanics in the first place.

 

But, believe it or not, this means the Angels actually do have SOMEONE doing some fine pitching coach work. They had Hanson make this adjustment. De La Rosa says he had his mechanics adjusted to cause his spike in velocity and Weaver made a change to his arm slot to recover his lost fastball. Maybe we shouldn't bury Mike Butcher just yet.

[Jim]

Rubber alignment is the proper term.

That is far more important than people realize.

[Make Angels Great Again]

If he's back that trade suddenly swings wildly in our favor

[fan_since79]

Aroldis Chapman hit 103 last night against the Dodgers, on his final pitch.

[bloodbrother]

The problem is it could also mean that his shoulder is going to disintegrate. That's why the Braves had him alter his mechanics in the first place.

 

But, believe it or not, this means the Angels actually do have SOMEONE doing some fine pitching coach work. They had Hanson make this adjustment. De La Rosa says he had his mechanics adjusted to cause his spike in velocity and Weaver made a change to his arm slot to recover his lost fastball. Maybe we shouldn't bury Mike Butcher just yet.

 

It definitely looks like it will help him get his velocity back to where it was, but as you said, his shoulder is going to get destroyed at some point, which is why I don't want the Halos committing long term to this guy at all.

[Mile High Dreams]

Rubber alignment is the proper term.

That's what she said

[ELEVEN]

That is far more important than people realize.

It's a game of adjustments.

[Mark68]

Marine Layer.

[ettin]

That is far more important than people realize.

 

It helps prevent accidents where the balls are going towards the head.

[Brandon]

Sure enough, somebody at least figured out how Hanson got his velo back: http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/tommy-hansons-velocity-is-back-up/

Good stuff.

Thanks for the link. That was a cool read.

[Angel Oracle]

Hold on to him until either when he's a FA or at least late July going into being a FA.

[Second Base]

Hanson's definitely someone to watch for the remainder of the year.  If his velocity sits 87 and he isn't hitting his spots, the Angels would be better off non-tendering him or trading him if at all possible.  But if he can maintain a velocity of 91+, I say keep him around until that shoulder disintegrates, if it does.  Because if he's throwing that hard, it makes his off-speed stuff all the more effective, gives catchers a fighting chance against runners and helps cover up command shortcomings.  Suddenly, he'd be a solid #3/4 starter. 

 

As for DDLR, I just hope his arm doesn't detach from over-use.  Scioscia's ridden him all year long and it's awfully hard to picture him sustaining this sort of performance across this many innings in the long term. 

[Stradling]

I am thinking that Hanson almost definitely is in the plans for next year considering he is under club control and won't be that expensive to retain given his performance the last couple of seasons. I would guess we see Weaver, CJ, Hanson, Richards and either Vargas (signed to an extension) or an arm that we trade for. The question really is then, who do we trade for? What I am guessing happens is we trade for an arm and sign a veteran guy for depth, that way we aren't having the Roths, Buckners and Enrights of the world making starts for us.

[markb]

If Hanson's new mechanics keep him back into the low-mid 90's again without his arm falling off, then our rotation looks pretty decent going into next year if we can keep Vargas or add someone equivalent.  Having more depth is what they sorely need, since his durability is sketchy and Richards is still a big question mark.