SB Nation User Blog: NoNameOnCard

"I wouldn’t say it was a mistake," Anthopoulos said of Ryan’s contract. "I think it’s unfortunate he...

NoNameOnCard — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:29:38 -0000

"I wouldn’t say it was a mistake," Anthopoulos said of Ryan’s contract. "I think it’s unfortunate he got hurt. The one thing you can never predict is health."

Blue Jays release LHP B.J. Ryan - Apparently, no one saw B.J. Ryan's injuries coming. Ha!

Brandon McCarthy: Scap Load Failure

NoNameOnCard — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:04:21 -0000

Brandon McCarthy: Scap Load Failure

Brandon McCarthy was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his scapula on Monday. On Tuesday, I published a story that examines a potential cause.

Draft Prospect: Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS

NoNameOnCard — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:26:19 -0000

Draft Prospect: Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS

After finishing my article on Matthew Purke, I became slightly obsessed with figuring out why scouts seem to be so positive about Tyler Matzek's mechanics.

I compare the two and break Matzek's arm action down a little.

Draft Prospect: Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS (Mechanics)

NoNameOnCard — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:23:22 -0000

Draft Prospect: Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS (Mechanics)

I wanted to take a look to see why scouts like Matzek's mechanics so much, so here it is.

So of the "opposite" of Matthew Purke, Matzek's motion is compared loosely to Purke's motion.

Draft Prospect: Matthew Purke, LHP, Klein HS (Mechanics)

NoNameOnCard — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:15:47 -0000

Draft Prospect: Matthew Purke, LHP, Klein HS (Mechanics)

Some of you have probably read that scouts are concerned about Purke's mechanics. I have, but I was never able to find any specifics.

I found a pretty good video on YouTube and published this quick but pretty verbose look at what they might be talking about.

Draft Prospect: Matthew Purke, LHP, Klein HS

NoNameOnCard — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:12:20 -0000

Draft Prospect: Matthew Purke, LHP, Klein HS

As the 2009 draft approaches, I kept reading about Purke's questionable mechanics. No one was specific about them despite the proliferation of these concerns.

I stumbled across a decent enough video on YouTube and took this quick but wordy look at Purke to see what folks are so worried about.

Video: Robbie Ross and Joseph Ortiz

NoNameOnCard — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:07:51 -0000

Here's the final entry in my Texas Rangers prospects video series:

Texas Rangers Prospects: Robbie Ross and Joseph Ortiz

I also made a couple of changes to my site's appearance. A couple of excerpts are included below.

Robbie Ross:

Out of the wind-up, Ross has a very high leg kick, reminiscent of Nolan Ryan's leg kick. After the kick, he starts to drift forward before sitting down on his back leg. This loads the leg very well, but it also lowers his potential release point.

Joseph Ortiz:

Ortiz's arm also wraps slightly across his body, but with a more alarming recoil. Ortiz's arm appears to collide with his rib cage after the throw. The collision doesn't appear to be terribly violent, but the leverage caused by the impact can place extra stress on the posterior capsule of the shoulder where the muscles are already contracting to help decelerate the arm.

Video: Joseph Wieland and Matt Thompson

NoNameOnCard — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:21:29 -0000

Here is my second-to-last Rangers prospects video entry. This time, I bring you two 2008 draft choices: 4th round pick RHP Joseph Wieland and 7th round pick RHP Matt Thompson.

Texas Rangers Prospects: Joseph Wieland and Matt Thompson

Joseph Wieland excerpt:

When Wieland's front foot lands, his pitching forearm is nearly vertical, and active external rotation has already stopped. Though he picks up the ball with his elbow, he avoids an inverted arm position.

Matt Thompson excerpt:

Thompson flexes his trunk and rotates his shoulders simultaneously, and he does so while staying fairly tall. This description is similar to what I said about Neftali Feliz's trunk and shoulders, and even though Thompson does this very well, Feliz does it much better.

Video: Martin Perez and Juan Grullon

NoNameOnCard — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:55:39 -0000

This is latest entry in my Texas Rangers Prospects video scouting series. It features LHP prospects Martin Perez of whom you've heard good things and Juan Grullon of whom you've probably heard nothing.

Martin Perez:

Perez pronates like this on each of his pitches - fastball, curveball, and change up - and it is excellent for both health and performance. Pronation allows for better ball rotation (more spin therefore more movement) and helps protect the elbow from forearm flyout. This is a good thing because Perez doesn't get his arm nearly as vertical when he throws his fastball and change up compared to when he throws his curveball.

Juan Grullon:

The simplicity of his motion allows Grullon supreme control over his follow-through. Under such control, Grullon's pitching arm stays on the pitching arm side of his torso; it does not wrap across his body. His pitching arm is decelerated so well by his latissimus dorsi that his elbow actually winds up tucked in next to his rib cage as he finishes his follow-through.

Read the whole thing here: Texas Rangers Prospects: Martin Perez and Juan Grullon

Video: Wilmer Font and Evan Reed

NoNameOnCard — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:35:07 -0000

Video: Wilmer Font and Evan Reed

Here is the next entry in my Texas Rangers prospects series. This time it's Wilmer Font paired with Evan Reed. I've got very brief scouting reports on the two, and a more lengthy look at their mechanics.