SB Nation User Blog: Jhusk

Report from Memphis

Jhusk — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:30:56 -0000

Went to the Redbirds/Isotopes game on Tuesday, thought I'd give a report on what I saw.

Blake Hawksworth got the start for the Redbirds, and came out smokin'. Struck out the first four batters he faced, and ended the night with over 10 K's. He was consistently in the low-90's according to the AutoZone gun, and showed pretty good offspeed stuff, with good location.

It was a pitcher's duel for the majority of the game, tied 1-1 for a good while. Hawksworth gave up a solo homerun to Dallas McPherson (funny story: before the game, McPherson was warming up right in front of where we were sitting, and a buddy of mine says, "Is that Dallas McPherson?" I say, "I can find out," and yell out "DALLAS!" and look down. Apparently McPherson looked right at me. So yeah. Dallas McPherson, everybody.)

Fifth inning or so (sorry I can't be more specific, was with a big group so it was tough to really pay attention), Hawksworth got in trouble, gave up another home run, and Redbirds were down 5-1.

Hugo Castellanos (sp??) came in, and I give a decided... meh. He pitched well, but didn't do anything to really catch my eye. He gave way to Mark Worrell, who I thought pitched extremely well. Struck out the Isotopes' centerfielder Carroll to give Carroll the ol' Golden Sombrero, which was definitely the highlight of my night.

So, pitching summary: Hawksworth was lights out, till he wasn't. One bad inning spoiled a potential gem of a start.

Now, for the guy I was there to see.

Rasmus started in center, and led off. Top 1, batter hits a rope to deep right center. Rasmus sprints a good 70 feet, dives headlong onto the warning track and comes down with the catch. It was easily one of the top 3 catches I've ever seen in person.

There wasn't any chance for him to show off the arm, so I can't comment on that. But he looked comfortable, and man... that catch was somethin' else.

At the plate, I was a little nervous. His first two plate appearances, he saw a total of... two pitches. He hit a soft liner to short in the first, and grounded out his next time up. That didn't sit well with me at all. But his next two trips to the dish he worked walks. Neither time could anybody behind him do anything, so I can't comment on his speed on the paths.

Other random observations...

Hoffpauier has the look of a guy who knows he can play some ball (in a good way.) I definitely see a lot of Dustin Pedroia in him.

Amaury Cazana Marti can mash. He stroked a double in the ninth that I swear dented the left-center wall. He also runs like a duck.

Josh Phelps is really skinny.

Brian Barden doesn't look comfortable at short. He had an error where he let a ball under the glove through his legs. Don't know if he'll see the big club before September.

Cards interested in Cliff Lee?

Jhusk — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:00:19 -0000

Hmmm...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3140986&name=winter_meetings

I've always liked Cliff Lee, but I don't like him for Reyes AND Anderson. Bryan Anderson is a potential star. We need to flip him for young, stud pitching. Lee's a lefty, but has struggled in Cleveland. I think he'd pitch well in St. Louis, but I just really believe that Mo could get much more for Reyes and Anderson.

McCarver Completely Inaccurate in Pitching Analysis

Jhusk — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 00:43:26 -0000

Tim McCarver proved he does not have adequate knowledge of proper pitching mechanics early in Friday night's game. After Carlos Delgado went yak off Carpenter in the first inning, McCarver kept going back to the fact that Carpenter was "leading with his elbow," and how that's bad, and that Carp needs to "get on top of the ball." The only thing is, that's not possible. Every pitcher "leads" with his elbow. The number of motions that, put together, make up the pitching delivery, is referred to as the "kinetic chain." The rotation of the hips leads the rotation of the shoulders, which brings that arm around. At the moment of maximum shoulder rotation, the arm is at "full external rotation of the upper arm." The elbow lays back flat, which stretches the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the elbow to the maximum. This is when a pitcher is "leading with his elbow." At that stretch, the body, as a reflex, sharply contracts those muscles. This motion brings the hand forward and delivers the ball. So, for all you young pitchers out there, don't listen to Tim McCarver. If you try to throw and "not" lead with your elbow, 1) you will lose tons of velocity, and 2) open yourself up for injuries to the shoulder. "Leading with the elbow" is a natural occurrence of the proper kinetic chain. The problem MIGHT be, is the LEVEL of the elbow. I didn't notice, but if Carp's elbow is LOWER than normal, that can lead to a loss of velocity and movement. THAT is the proper problem that McCarver should be referring to.