Article: Jose Berrios Is Tipping His Pitches

[Steve Lein]

Though this is probably associated with this idea in general, he definitely doesn't hide the ball in his motion. Puts it right out there in full view for the hitter.

 

I definitely think MLB hitters are capable of noticing this and taking advantage.

 

 

 

 

[Monkeypaws]

The lad just turned 22 in May. He is averaging nearly a K per inning.

 

He's having huge growing pains, as is Buxton, but holy crap, these guys gonna be good at 25. We have prospects in the system that are that old, or older.

 

I'm still bullish on his future.

[jimbo92107]

I remember several years ago when I spotted how Francisco Liriano was tipping his pitches. Basically from the set he pointed his lead shoulder where he was going to spot the ball. It was so obvious that I wrote about it repeatedly, with no results. Finally he stopped doing sometime the next season. 

 

While he's working on changing his change-up, Berrios could do one other thing: Grip the fastball just a little different, so his pinky sticks out. If batters think that's going to be a change, he'll blow it right by them. As long as they can't be sure what they're seeing, the visual indication will no longer be reliable, and will become a distraction. 

[drunksam]

A schooner is a sailboat ...

[theJemmer]

As he's having issues throwing strikes I hope the Twins take an analytical approach.  The longer his arm movement is the more possibility that something will be "off" resulting in a ball rather than strike (for those of you that are golfers - the difference between a short backswing and overly long backswing).  I mean, look at some of his pitches - he is missing the strike zone in a massive way like a little leaguer. 

 

So - simplify the arm movement.  Keep his hands and arm high through the motion.  Don't allow the arm to drop down behind and under the back knee.  Straight back, straight through to home.  Start just playing catch - then move slowly to a full pitching motion.

 

Just take a look at Bartolo's motion tonight - simple and very effective.  A strike throwing machine.

[Guest]

Great article, but it raises a confusing issue, because a month ago the big concern was that too many people were giving him advice. If that was the case, it's surprising (worrisome?) that none of them picked up on Berrios tipping his pitches.

[twinsnorth49]

 

A schooner is a sailboat ...

and a damn fine beer.

 

[adorduan]

 

I don't know as it is this simple. Many pitchers show the ball behind their back without issue. I've always been told that hitters focus on the anticipated release point in order to pick up the ball at the earliest point. Even if he had a perfect circle change grip it would be visually different on the backswing. I think his biggest problem is just being in hitters counts all the time.

This.  If he hits his spots with his fastball, about 90% of his problems go away.  He's getting into hitters counts way to often because he can't throw his fastball for a strike.

[Blake]

The image shown not only shows the ball basically in the palm of the hand, the glove is pointed at the center of the catcher versus the glove pointing at the knee of the catcher.

 

 

[ND-Fan]

I think Berrios problem is reason the Twins are having so much trouble developing pitching. The problem is Twins have not put the resources of coaching and people aiding coaching staff pick up on tipping pitching or its mechanical problems its been being missed until they reach majors and then they are to well develop to make these changes and we are running into why the Twins are behind other teams in pitching development. I also think it goes into their scouting people to know what they are looking at. This is important to the Twins future as is anything they need people who are on top of this from the beginning with their players. I also think they people checking on the people doing instructing to see that they are not missing something. Because a problem at this level is not easily correctable if its not caught until major league level or triple A. I am willing to bet ST. Louis has system that is good because look at the arms they have produced over last 10 years. Also the mets over my lifetime the number of number one pitchers they have developed is amazing. I Think the new head of baseball organization this will be as important to the team as how they structure the Twins baseball clube will be next two years because if they don't correct this the Twins will never be able to compete with other teams.

[Teddy]

Is it just me, or was Berrios also cocking his wrist on the changeup, ala Rick Sutcliffe?

[ashbury]

Is it just me, or was Berrios also cocking his wrist on the changeup, ala Rick Sutcliffe?

I don't know. Show us some video of how you throw your changeup.

[Teddy]

Sadly, every pitch I threw was considered a change-up.

[Parker Hageman]

Last night's broadcast was the first time I've seen someone with the organization admit that Berrios' arm path was tipping his pitches. 

 

https://twitter.com/ParkerHageman/status/780961503985831936

[nicksaviking]

Parker, after Derek Falvey hires you as a member of his staff, will you still contribute here?