Did Trevor May forget how to pitch out of the stretch?

[Willihammer]

There was a graphic on yesterday's game showing opponent batting average against Trevor May with bases empty vs. runners on base.

 

With no one on base: .261

With men on base: .500 (it was actually higher than .500 before last night)

 

Small sample size noise? Check out his splits from this season in Rochester

 

Empty: .206/.266/.294 (305 PA)

Men on:.297/.409/.443 (193 PA)

 

To make it more confusing, compare to his AA numbers

 

2013

Empty: .254/.342/.433

Men on:.258/.340/.396

 

2012

Empty: .245/.354/.427

Men on:.253/.344/.389

 

Did Trevor May forget to pitch out of the stretch or just get really good at pitching out of the windup? Both?

[Platoon]

Maybe he forgot more than that? There was a report that he was using the slide step, with the bases loaded before the Davis bomb! I did not notice that, but I did wonder at the time why he was pitching from the stretch, bases loaded, and a non bunting situation? The numbers shown above make it even more difficult to understand. Is it against major league protocol to yell out of the dugout......

WHY DONT YOU USE THE WINDUP??

[Halsey Hall]

That was my first thought last night as again with men on he just looked like a different pitcher.  There's a problem from the stretch for sure. 

[snepp]

Too many pointers from Ricky Nolasco in spring training.

[TheLeviathan]

Rick Anderson's "coaching" takes effect really fast maybe?

 

*Ducks*

[Kwak]

I think that he doesn't handle pressure well [yet?].  His demeanor on the mound and facial expression changes noticeably when there are base-runners.

[Danchat]

I think that he doesn't handle pressure well [yet?].  His demeanor on the mound and facial expression changes noticeably when there are base-runners.

I think he has some nerves to get over. This situation reminds me of Kyle Gibson last year. He got really nervous and got hit up all last season. The solution for Trevor May is similar to Kyle Gibson's... just keep giving him starts and experience this September and hope he has a good spring training and wins a spot in the rotation.

 

However, if he doesn't turn out, I expect him to be a good bullpen pitcher. That's actually what I predicted him to do last season when he was struggling.

[nater79a]

I'm glad someone took the time to write an article on this.  I've been thinking the same thing during May's last three or four outings.  Looks reasonably effective with no one on and pitching out of the wind-up.  When a runner gets on though all heck breaks lose.  Don't know if it's mental or mechanical but someone needs to get on top of this.  Not sure if Andy is the guy to do it though.

[nater79a]

However, if he doesn't turn out, I expect him to be a good bullpen pitcher. That's actually what I predicted him to do last season when he was struggling.

 

Unfortunately, a relief pitcher often comes in with men on base!

[Ben B]

I think he has some nerves to get over. This situation reminds me of Kyle Gibson last year. He got really nervous and got hit up all last season. The solution for Trevor May is similar to Kyle Gibson's... just keep giving him starts and experience this September and hope he has a good spring training and wins a spot in the rotation.

 

However, if he doesn't turn out, I expect him to be a good bullpen pitcher. That's actually what I predicted him to do last season when he was struggling.

 

I hope the Twins are smart enough to do this with him (and Milone) and just let them keep taking their lumps. The time is now to find out if they're part of the future. 

[Craig Arko]

I hope the Twins are smart enough to do this with him (and Milone) and just let them keep taking their lumps. The time is now to find out if they're part of the future.

Could not agree more.

[stringer bell]

Isn't Milone's situation much, much different from May?  He's older and had established himself as a member of the A's rotation until they super-sized it.  Further, if Milone fails, there is really no option of putting him in the bullpen, while there have been comments about May becoming a bullpen arm since his acquistion . 

[Ben B]

Isn't Milone's situation much, much different from May?  He's older and had established himself as a member of the A's rotation until they super-sized it.  Further, if Milone fails, there is really no option of putting him in the bullpen, while there have been comments about May becoming a bullpen arm since his acquistion . 

 

They're different in that May has more upside and can go to the bullpen if needed. But they're similar in that the Twins just need to see what they have with both of them and let them finish out the year in the rotation. 

[oldguy10]

All of baseball has seen what the Twins have in Milone and May and it sure is not much, is it?

[diehardtwinsfan]

Not sure I'd write either off yet.

[snepp]

All of baseball has seen what the Twins have in Milone and May and it sure is not much, is it?

 

Yup, May and his 19 major league innings are all anybody possibly needs to ever see, his book has been written.

[snepp]

Not sure I'd write either off yet.

 

Nonsense, write them both off now, forever, it's a done deal.

[drjim]

Nonsense, write them both off now, forever, it's a done deal.

I'm ok more or less writing Milone off. Still was a worthwhile gamble.

[ashbury]

Not sure I'd write either off yet.

His (x)FIP numbers in the mid-5's suggest chilling out over a rookie taking some lumps. 

 

The situational stats noted in this thread offer things to work on; the swings and misses on his breaking ball looked good to me, maybe he's having trouble disguising those pitches from the stretch.  I'd put him in the bullpen and use him frequently in long-relief scenarios for the rest of the season.

[USAFChief]

Nonsense, write them both off now, forever, it's a done deal.

Lets compromise and just write off the 19 innings.

[snepp]

I'm ok more or less writing Milone off. Still was a worthwhile gamble.

 

I wouldn't go that far on Milone, still plenty of opportunity there for him to be a quality back end guy for a few years.

[snepp]

Lets compromise and just write off the 19 innings.

 

Cherry picker!

[Riverbrian]

In my opinion... Trevor May is just like someone who listened to Gordon Lightfoot Greatest Hits every day for 7 years,

 

He gets on Jeopardy... Alex Trebec... The whole works... Alex reads: "1976 hit for Gordon Lightfoot about a Great Lakes Freighter that Sank during a storm in Lake Superior".

 

Trevor Buzzes in... Alex calls on him and his mind goes blank.

 

Yep... I think Trevor has forgotten how to do a lotta stuff that's he's been doing for a living for a few years now.

 

He will be ok eventually... He's gonna need to be eased in slower until it comes back to him.

[USAFChief]

What is "Sundown"?

[70charger]

In my opinion... Trevor May is just like someone who listened to Gordon Lightfoot Greatest Hits every day for 7 years,

 

He gets on Jeopardy... Alex Trebec... The whole works... Alex reads: "1976 hit for Gordon Lightfoot about a Great Lakes Freighter that Sank during a storm in Lake Superior".

 

Trevor Buzzes in... Alex calls on him and his mind goes blank.

 

Yep... I think Trevor has forgotten how to do a lotta stuff that's he's been doing for a living for a few years now.

 

He will be ok eventually... He's gonna need to be eased in slower until it comes back to him.

You have a knack for simile.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I'm ok more or less writing Milone off. Still was a worthwhile gamble.

My snark alarm is going off

[Craig Arko]

My snark alarm is going off

Shun the frumious Bandersnatch.

[ashbury]

What is "Sundown"?

What is, um, Gordon Light-hit's Greatest Foot? <shoulders sag in defeat>