OT: Tigers Fire-Ballers

Submitted by SFBlue on
Wow. So Zumaya led the majors last year by hitting 100 mph 189 times in 31 innings. That guy throws like Dolly Parton looks. A quick glance at that list suggests that pitch speed is kind of like winning the long drive competition (excluding Verlander, arguably Wilson). You need touch, man. Get a change-up already... http://detnews.com/article/20100126/SPORTS0104/1260420
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MaizeAndBlueWahoo

January 26th, 2010 at 5:40 PM ^

Thing is, Zumaya actually has a pretty decent change, he just needs to have his mechanics exactly right to be really effective with it and being hurt all the time jams up his motion. I just think he's going to be the type of pitcher that can't stay healthy. Not with an arm like that. Hope I'm wrong. He's a real treat to watch. And I'd like to see him throw a knuckleball, just once, just to watch the batter be done swinging before the ball is halfway there.

Joined: 07/02/2008

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Steve Lorenz

January 26th, 2010 at 6:22 PM ^

Schlereth, Perry and Valverde can wing the ball too. Not quite at a Zumaya-like level but they will likely be more effective than him this year. If Zumaya can stay healthy though, we might actually have one of the better BPs in baseball this year.

Joined: 01/26/2010

MGoPoints: 6841

Subrosa

January 26th, 2010 at 6:26 PM ^

By my count and without looking too deeply at statistics, at least Broxton and Jimenez should count as top-shelf guys who throw in the triple digits. Broxton was money until the playoffs and Jimenez has some of the best pure stuff in the NL. A little more command last year, and Ubaldo is challeging Timmy and Carpenter for the Cy. I mean, I hate sticking up for either of those guys because I'm a Giants fan, but if they were on my team I'd be pretty psyched. (OK, maybe not Broxton because screw the Dodgers.)

Joined: 08/16/2008

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Tater

January 26th, 2010 at 11:25 PM ^

A staff of all fireballers is not good. A staff needs pitchers of various speeds; if almost everyone throws the same speed, opponents can time them too easily. Following a fireballer with a "finesse" pitcher or vice-versa is a great way to keep other teams from timing pitches too easily. That can keep opponents chronically off-balance. Anyway, I just hope most of them stay healthy this year.

Joined: 08/13/2008

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