Wetmore: Neil Allen Unveils New Rule To Work On Command

[John Bonnes]

In today's update from Fort Myers, ESPN 1500's Derek Wetmore says that pitching coach Neil Allen is adding a new rule to bullpen sessions for the staff specifically to work on fastball command:

 

Every pitcher will start his bullpen session throwing glove-side fastballs, according to a few people with knowledge of the plan. Once a pitcher hits the glove at least three out of five times in that location, he can progress to throwing arm-side fastballs. Hit three out of five spots there and you can freely move on to the rest of your pitches during your bullpen session.

 

But if you don’t go three for five in either spot, you’re starting over until you reach that level of competence—even if you have a ‘dynamite’ changeup, Allen told several pitchers.

 

Want to work on your curve ball today? You’d better hit your locations. If you don’t hit those spots with the fastball in your allotted number pitches for that day’s bullpen session, then you won’t be working on your secondary offerings.

 

 

A few quick thoughts to kick off discussion:

1. It's not exactly huge news that a Twins team is emphasizing "control" to their pitching staff. A quick look at last year's team stats show that the Twins had league average control last year. Is that really the issue?

 

2. Do the Twins think they took it a little too easy in spring training the last few years, given their regular season starts? Phil Hughes seems to think this is about making sure everyone is focusing:

 

 

“It’s just trying to create some consistency and some accountability, concentration right off the bat instead of just throwing to throw,” starter Phil Hughes said. “There’s a purpose and some intent behind what you’re doing.”

 

3. Ultimately, I suppose this rule is up to the bullpen catchers to implement; and I suspect they are pretty forgiving, so I can't imagine it will really impact anyone's ability to work on their secondary pitches much.

 

4. I found it interesting that there wasn't any discussion with Neil Allen about this in the story. Just with Hughes.

[old nurse]

The edict might have come from above Allen. It would have been implemented earlier if it was his way to do business

[nicksaviking]

I'm not sure if this is anything new; we heard a synopsis of Allen's command-focused development plan when Falvey decided to retain him last fall.

 

I would guess this is not the entirety of the development ideas though. Reports were that Allen was fairly scathing in his review of the organization's prior ?philosophy/game-plan/development? regarding the pitching, so I'd think the only way that Allen could have kept his job when other field staff did not was by telling Falvey something that he liked. And Falvey came from an organization that has had recent success with pitching. I'm optimistic that SOMEONE has an idea as to what was previously wrong and I really don't care who that someone is as long as we start to see improvement, which frankly, shouldn't be hard; nowhere to go but up.

[gunnarthor]

I can see it as a focus thing but I sorta wish they were working more on throwing fastballs in instead of away.

[Oldgoat_MN]

I like it.

One thing about Greg Gagne I always enjoyed is that he occurred like every throw was important, even during warmups. He seemed like he was never 'going through the motions'. Like every time he threw a baseball was a chance to get better.

 

I think this is a good thing.

[nicksaviking]

 

I can see it as a focus thing but I sorta wish they were working more on throwing fastballs in instead of away.

 

It sounded like they were working both sides of the plate, though not one any more than the other.

 

Though I want to see them working up in the zone more as opposed to the team's fairly strict adherence to working low. It seems even more important now that the strike zone is at the top of the knees.

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins have typically had good control...

 

But what they need is much better fastball command. I personally like this.

 

Specifically as it relates to Berrios. He had terrible fastball command last year, so making it a priority is wise, in my opinion. 

[Halsey Hall]

I doubt very much some will follow this, and the catchers won't either. I can see (just for example only, May) getting 2 of 5, trying again and getting 2 of 5, screw it, going to the other side and doing the same, and then going to his other pitches, letting the catcher know what he's throwing.  He's already in 20 pitches and on a 40 pitch limit to start the season. The catcher isn't going to tattle. 

 

But it's a good exercise to try, and can't hurt. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

I don't see the harm.  Seems the hitters had issues like that too, not working on directional hitting, but just swinging during BP.  Seems like having a plan to actually accomplish something is good... should help with some of those fine motor skills needed to put that pitch where the pitcher wants it.

[crapforks]

Corporate bartenders usually have to free pour in various amounts before their shift starts. Its annoying, but it cuts down on over/under pouring and helps maintain consistency. Passing a test every day before you start working works on many levels. I'm all for this. Good way to see if someone isn't right (injury/ailment) or if the mechanics are out of whack. 

[Thrylos]

In concept kinda makes sense, but getting the command of 80-82 mph fastballs that they are throwing now is a tad different than getting the command of 92-95 mph fastballs that they will be throwing when ready.

 

We shall see whether it works or not, but looks kinda silly from here now...

 

When I first read Allen's idea about organizational prioritization of the command of the fastball what I had in my mind was implementation in the minor leagues when people where throwing 100%.

[Walter's Whites]

 

In today's update from Fort Myers, ESPN 1500's Derek Wetmore says that pitching coach Neil Allen is adding a new rule to bullpen sessions for the staff specifically to work on fastball command:

 

 

A few quick thoughts to kick off discussion:

1. It's not exactly huge news that a Twins team is emphasizing "control" to their pitching staff. A quick look at last year's team stats show that the Twins had league average control last year. Is that really the issue?

 

2. Do the Twins think they took it a little too easy in spring training the last few years, given their regular season starts? Phil Hughes seems to think this is about making sure everyone is focusing:

 

 

3. Ultimately, I suppose this rule is up to the bullpen catchers to implement; and I suspect they are pretty forgiving, so I can't imagine it will really impact anyone's ability to work on their secondary pitches much.

 

4. I found it interesting that there wasn't any discussion with Neil Allen about this in the story. Just with Hughes.

I think the drills aren't emphasizing control but actually command. Being able to throw strikes is fine in lower level ball, but in order to succeed in the bigs pitchers need to be able to place their fastball where they want. The number one thing I noticed this year in the postseason is that all the good major league pitchers can paint the corner at will, and the Twins simply haven't been able to do that very well.

[brvama]

I doubt very much some will follow this, and the catchers won't either. I can see (just for example only, May) getting 2 of 5, trying again and getting 2 of 5, screw it, going to the other side and doing the same, and then going to his other pitches, letting the catcher know what he's throwing.  He's already in 20 pitches and on a 40 pitch limit to start the season. The catcher isn't going to tattle.

If that happens I think that is a major concern. If they can't follow some simple programs and routines put in place by the team then I don't want them on it. This isn't some extreme and potential harmful practice. They certainly have other programs to promote their health, etc.

[ashbury]

Being a natural born rules-bender, I have to wonder what constraints are on the pitcher to go max effort when doing this exercise. Is the radar gun on, and are they required to hit their usual fastball speed?

[Thrylos]

 

Being a natural born rules-bender, I have to wonder what constraints are on the pitcher to go max effort when doing this exercise. Is the radar gun on, and are they required to hit their usual fastball speed?

 

No radar guns in the pens.  And no max effort for another 2-3 weeks.  Way too early on their arms for that (same reason, they are building up starters' endurance a bit at a time.)  I'd say 75-80% max effort now.  Thus my comment at #11 above

[ashbury]

No radar guns in the pens.  And no max effort for another 2-3 weeks.  Way too early on their arms for that (same reason, they are building up starters' endurance a bit at a time.)  I'd say 75-80% max effort now.  Thus my comment at #11 above

Well, regardless of the level of effort (max or otherwise), there is a difference between pitching and merely aiming the ball, and I'd be worried about unintended consequences of a rule like this. I have no doubt that coach Allen has an answer that addresses my concern; I just haven't seen it yet.

[theBOMisthebomb]

It seems gimmicky, although it probably won't hurt.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

Being a natural born rules-bender, I have to wonder what constraints are on the pitcher to go max effort when doing this exercise. Is the radar gun on, and are they required to hit their usual fastball speed?

 

They're working on mechanics and command, no attempt to be at 100% velocity. That will come shortly, and they'll (I assume) still be expected to be working on the command.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

Well, regardless of the level of effort (max or otherwise), there is a difference between pitching and merely aiming the ball, and I'd be worried about unintended consequences of a rule like this. I have no doubt that coach Allen has an answer that addresses my concern; I just haven't seen it yet.

 

At this stage of their career, if they're 'aiming the ball' it's amazing they made it this far. They're using their natural mechanics and pitching to the glove. It's just being forced upon them to make sure to have that command. It makes all the sense in the world.

[Blake]

Fastball command and Tyler Duffey come to mind.

 

Duffey needs to locate his fastball to be effective and last year, he was completely discombobulated according to my (aging) eyes.

[sorney]

I mean, they are professionals, right?  I would think they would WANT to be able to master the *3 out of 5*...Seems pretty silly and childish that they would try to skirt the rule and just say *good enough*.  None of the pitchers on this squad are *good enough* to skip working command...

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

 

 

When I first read Allen's idea about organizational prioritization of the command of the fastball what I had in my mind was implementation in the minor leagues when people where throwing 100%.

 

Are you sure there's no implementation in the minors?  Seems that was part of Allen's rather scathing review in that fastball control/command was not emphasized nearly enough at the lower levels.  I'm not sure this implies that it is the only thing Allen is doing.

[ashbury]

I mean, they are professionals, right?  I would think they would WANT to be able to master the *3 out of 5*...Seems pretty silly and childish that they would try to skirt the rule and just say *good enough*.  None of the pitchers on this squad are *good enough* to skip working command...

*shrug* Guess I just revealed what a lousy athlete I would have made, even if blessed with any talent.

[nicksaviking]

 

Are you sure there's no implementation in the minors?  Seems that was part of Allen's rather scathing review in that fastball control/command was not emphasized nearly enough at the lower levels.  I'm not sure this implies that it is the only thing Allen is doing.

 

Right, spring training just comes first. If they didn't start working on command in ST first, we'd probably be shaking our heads.

[mazeville]

Frankly this is a good idea for a staff that should be much better than average when it comes to control because they don't strike people out.

 

What I don't understand is that the writer here anonymously sourced this story -- which is a benign spring training workout story. It's weird. I'm guessing it's a reporter issue, rather than any indication of issues with the major league staff or anything. 

[Willihammer]

Seems a little cookie cutter. Everybody throws a fastball, but not everybody is Brandon Kintzler.