SB Nation User Blog: NoNameOnCard

Neftali Feliz's change-up grip.

NoNameOnCard — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:07:38 -0000

I was going to make this a FanShot, but it didn't really fit with the options...

I am looking for a screen shot of the close up of Feliz's change-up grip. It was shown after his first strikeout (Adam Kennedy on the 91-mph change-up).

Evan Grant swears that Feliz throws it with a split-finger grip, but I'm not convinced yet. If you've got the skills, please post your screen cap here.

Thanks.

Pitcher Injuries Linked to Preseason Shoulder Strength in Study

NoNameOnCard — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:28:09 -0000

Pitcher Injuries Linked to Preseason Shoulder Strength in Study

An article about shoulder injuries... well the title really says it all. Have a read.

"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.