Article: How Will Derek Falvey Improve Twins Pitching

[Lee-The-Twins-Fan]

It makes sense in a way... before a batter heads to the plate he's in the on-deck circle taking practice swings - with what? One or more heavier bats. Then he picks up his bat and it's lighter. the muscles get used to the heavier bat.

 

Is it legal for pitchers to be throwing a heavier baseball during warm-ups before a game, in the bullpen and between innings? Would they want to? Would it help?

[Teflon]

If the other Major League teams are also going to be employing these new training techniques won't the Twins at best only be preserving their current standing relative to the rest of the clubs? (Which was last, 130 runs worse than anybody else) I would cast my vote for finding some more successful pitchers somewhere.

Edited February 3, 2017 by Teflon

[Twins33]

I am definitely most interested in the pitching development. I remember multiple tweets and articles saying Falvey had his fingerprints all over the Indians MLB staff and minors.

 

The Indians were bottom 10 in MLB pitching from 2009-2012. Top 15 in 2013 and top 10 the last three years. I hope it doesn't take that long for the Twins pitching to turn around due to the young offensive core mostly already being in place. Either way, we all know things need to change. Hopefully we see the benefits ASAP.

[tobi0040]

I think Falvey is a great add. To Brock's point, a guy like Kohl is a good litmus test. But for the franchise to turn a corner, we are going to need several of Berrios, Romero, Gonsalves, Stewart, and unnamed top pick next year to develop into good pitchers. Sounds like we have the right guy.

[Oldgoat_MN]

How Will Derek Falvey Improve Twins Pitching?

 

Apparently by signing NL older relief pitchers to one year contracts to pitch the all-important 7th inning on a non-contending team.

[terrydactyls]

 

It makes sense in a way... before a batter heads to the plate he's in the on-deck circle taking practice swings - with what? One or more heavier bats. Then he picks up his bat and it's lighter. the muscles get used to the heavier bat.

 

Is it legal for pitchers to be throwing a heavier baseball during warm-ups before a game, in the bullpen and between innings? Would they want to? Would it help?

I'm not sure I would want a pitcher warming up with a weighted ball.  That might seriously impact the angle the ball come to the plate.  Between games, I think it might be very beneficial for strengthening the arm, but not during a game.  Hitting a ball and throwing a ball are two very different muscle memory functions.

[Miraclebat]

 

He's not a poor defensive catcher at all, and for a catcher he is only a slightly below average hitter.

The stats say different.   below average arm, way below average stolen base %.  J Ryan Murphy was bounced down to AAA for poor hitting...but basically hitting like Castro's average the past three years.   And JR is a better defensive catcher AND actually a better pitch framer.  (And I'm NOT a JR Murphy fan)

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

The stats say different.   below average arm, way below average stolen base %.  J Ryan Murphy was bounced down to AAA for poor hitting...but basically hitting like Castro's average the past three years.   And JR is a better defensive catcher AND actually a better pitch framer.  (And I'm NOT a JR Murphy fan)

John Ryan Murphy had a .413 OPS last season. When he was demoted in May, his OPS was a laughably bad .219.

 

Jason Castro has a career .699 OPS. In 2016, his OPS was .684. His three season OPS was .660.

 

Murphy's framing was -0.07 calls per game last season according to StatCast.

 

Castro was +0.92 calls per game.

 

So, no, not the same thing at all.

 

 

[Rosterman]

I think he is in a holding pattern. See if Berrios is the real deal, if May can start. We still have Santana. Gibson could rebound. We have Hughes under contract. And need to have a good looksee at Gonsalves and Stewart and a few others.

 

And, supposedly, there is a whole hsot of bullpen arms that have to be better than the ones we currently have on the roster.

 

It is rebuilding time. This year is critical. The offense has to find its place. People are playing for jobs. He has shown that he is not afraid to cut salary. And if you are a prospect, the world is yours if you show your stuff and work with the Twins system.

 

But there will be a lot of empty seats at Target Field and closed concession stands.

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Weighted ball training sounds fantastic. I also wonder what is the ideal hand or finger size for throwing certain pitches, like how we read about Berrios tipping his change or maybe certain other pitchers should give up on their split finger.

[bird]

I'm most encouraged by Falvey's language when it comes to individual goals and honest two-way communication about how to "close the gap." Thinking hard, I can't honestly recall a single in-depth article or interview where either a Twins pitching prospect or a Twins baseball person discussed having a development plan or training regimen customized for a player as part of an organizational initiative. 

 

Maybe the beat writers don't explore these things. But I think it's safe to say we're going to see some positive changes on the development front. Good news, and terrific article, Parker. Thank you once again.

[DocBauer]

I'm most encouraged by Falvey's language when it comes to individual goals and honest two-way communication about how to "close the gap." Thinking hard, I can't honestly recall a single in-depth article or interview where either a Twins pitching prospect or a Twins baseball person discussed having a development plan or training regimen customized for a player as part of an organizational initiative. 

 

Maybe the beat writers don't explore these things. But I think it's safe to say we're going to see some positive changes on the development front. Good news, and terrific article, Parker. Thank you once again.

This goes back to the part of the interview I really liked where he talks about a pitcher's best pitch and maybe not using it as much as he should, or that a pitcher's perspective on a pitch working or not working may be skewed and the information gathered may show otherwise. Coaching and player development should always be geared to each player on a personal level.

[mgbode_WFNY]

Apologies for not finding this article sooner (and hat tip to Driveline for sending it out).

 

Any Twins fans that want some insight into exactly what the Driveline model looks like should read some articles here:

https://www.drivelinebaseball.com/blog/

 

If you want a quicker view of Driveline weighted balls, Jaeger Sports (long-toss), Texas Baseball Ranch (full body focus), and Arizona Baseball Ranch (band training), then I did a summary article about the Cleveland Indians here:

http://waitingfornextyear.com/2016/01/cleveland-indians-player-development/

 

I see many comments above talking about the need to draft and develop better. You are absolutely correct. I cannot speak to Falvey's ability to draft. However, you are going to develop talent - particularly pitchers - better now.

 

I look forward to some great games against our clubs in the future years. Enjoy the ride.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Weighted ball training sounds fantastic. I also wonder what is the ideal hand or finger size for throwing certain pitches, like how we read about Berrios tipping his change or maybe certain other pitchers should give up on their split finger.

I've already seen more weighted balls in Twins camp the past two weekends than I have in camp over the past 5 years combined.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

I've already seen more weighted balls in Twins camp the past two weekends than I have in camp over the past 5 years combined.

Any talk anywhere of using weighted balls for fielders? Seems that it could help the guys that sre deemed not to have good enough arms to play SS of 3B. Or weak armed OF's. Just have not heard anything on that front.