Velocity vs. command

[BrockFloodMaris]

Everyone it seems is looking for guys that throw upper 90's. What's wrong with average velocity and great command?

you don't get as much run on the fastball at lower velocity...better arm and glove side movement with a fastball at 95mph vs. 92-93mph

edit ~ the possibility of the movement is greater at higher velocities....not everyone can get that movement. Sorry, I misspoke

Greg Maddux got a lot of movement on his 80's speed fastball. Of course he also got a foot wider strike zone from the umpires.

It's velocity, control, movement, changing speeds, ability to throw multiple pitches with the same delivery so the batters don't have a "tell".

Maddux was a freak! He could “tunnel” several different pitches from the same arm slot. He would change velo, location, spin rate and movement direction from the same delivery. The Professor was otherworldly.

True - but if everybody else got his strike zone they would be similarly successful.

So true. I think Glavine actually got the widest strike zone. But Maddux and Smoltz got a ton of generous called strikes.

[ScotchMIrish]

Everyone it seems is looking for guys that throw upper 90's. What's wrong with average velocity and great command?

you don't get as much run on the fastball at lower velocity...better arm and glove side movement with a fastball at 95mph vs. 92-93mph

edit ~ the possibility of the movement is greater at higher velocities....not everyone can get that movement. Sorry, I misspoke

Greg Maddux got a lot of movement on his 80's speed fastball. Of course he also got a foot wider strike zone from the umpires.

It's velocity, control, movement, changing speeds, ability to throw multiple pitches with the same delivery so the batters don't have a "tell".

Maddux was a freak! He could “tunnel” several different pitches from the same arm slot. He would change velo, location, spin rate and movement direction from the same delivery. The Professor was otherworldly.

True - but if everybody else got his strike zone they would be similarly successful.

So true. I think Glavine actually got the widest strike zone. But Maddux and Smoltz got a ton of generous called strikes.

Part of that was Bobby Cox leading MLB in being ejected every year for arguing balls and strikes. And by the way I like your username. First game I ever saw in 1968 Maris had the walk off hit in extra innings.

[BrockFloodMaris]

Everyone it seems is looking for guys that throw upper 90's. What's wrong with average velocity and great command?

you don't get as much run on the fastball at lower velocity...better arm and glove side movement with a fastball at 95mph vs. 92-93mph

edit ~ the possibility of the movement is greater at higher velocities....not everyone can get that movement. Sorry, I misspoke

Greg Maddux got a lot of movement on his 80's speed fastball. Of course he also got a foot wider strike zone from the umpires.

It's velocity, control, movement, changing speeds, ability to throw multiple pitches with the same delivery so the batters don't have a "tell".

Maddux was a freak! He could “tunnel” several different pitches from the same arm slot. He would change velo, location, spin rate and movement direction from the same delivery. The Professor was otherworldly.

True - but if everybody else got his strike zone they would be similarly successful.

So true. I think Glavine actually got the widest strike zone. But Maddux and Smoltz got a ton of generous called strikes.

Part of that was Bobby Cox leading MLB in being ejected every year for arguing balls and strikes. And by the way I like your username. First game I ever saw in 1968 Maris had the walk off hit in extra innings.

Thanks. It’s the first outfield I remember. Most people don’t catch it.

[ScotchMIrish]

Everyone it seems is looking for guys that throw upper 90's. What's wrong with average velocity and great command?

you don't get as much run on the fastball at lower velocity...better arm and glove side movement with a fastball at 95mph vs. 92-93mph

edit ~ the possibility of the movement is greater at higher velocities....not everyone can get that movement. Sorry, I misspoke

Greg Maddux got a lot of movement on his 80's speed fastball. Of course he also got a foot wider strike zone from the umpires.

It's velocity, control, movement, changing speeds, ability to throw multiple pitches with the same delivery so the batters don't have a "tell".

Maddux was a freak! He could “tunnel” several different pitches from the same arm slot. He would change velo, location, spin rate and movement direction from the same delivery. The Professor was otherworldly.

True - but if everybody else got his strike zone they would be similarly successful.

So true. I think Glavine actually got the widest strike zone. But Maddux and Smoltz got a ton of generous called strikes.

Part of that was Bobby Cox leading MLB in being ejected every year for arguing balls and strikes. And by the way I like your username. First game I ever saw in 1968 Maris had the walk off hit in extra innings.

Thanks. It’s the first outfield I remember. Most people don’t catch it.

One of the best outfields in the history of the Cardinals.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Everyone it seems is looking for guys that throw upper 90's. What's wrong with average velocity and great command?

you don't get as much run on the fastball at lower velocity...better arm and glove side movement with a fastball at 95mph vs. 92-93mph

edit ~ the possibility of the movement is greater at higher velocities....not everyone can get that movement. Sorry, I misspoke

Greg Maddux got a lot of movement on his 80's speed fastball. Of course he also got a foot wider strike zone from the umpires.

It's velocity, control, movement, changing speeds, ability to throw multiple pitches with the same delivery so the batters don't have a "tell".

Maddux was a freak! He could “tunnel” several different pitches from the same arm slot. He would change velo, location, spin rate and movement direction from the same delivery. The Professor was otherworldly.

True - but if everybody else got his strike zone they would be similarly successful.

So true. I think Glavine actually got the widest strike zone. But Maddux and Smoltz got a ton of generous called strikes.

Part of that was Bobby Cox leading MLB in being ejected every year for arguing balls and strikes. And by the way I like your username. First game I ever saw in 1968 Maris had the walk off hit in extra innings.

Thanks. It’s the first outfield I remember. Most people don’t catch it.

Could I argue Brock Flood Pinson