Article: What's Hindering Hendriks?

[Parker Hageman]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?1038-What-s-hindering-Hendriks

[OldManWinter]

Very interesting observation.

[SeanS7921]

Guy couldn't K anybody in the Minors stats show that, might be a good #5 in the National League. Here? Not happening

[Parker Hageman]

Guy couldn't K anybody in the Minors stats show that

 

He had a 19.5% k-rate the past two years in the minors. That's not great but it's not terrible either (like Nick Blackburn who had a 12% k-rate in AAA),

[Twins Twerp]

Or he needs some Vegemite?

[Winston Smith]

Darn maybe he just isn't good enough, but we can still like him! Seems like a nice guy even if he talks funny.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Excellent analysis, Parker. They mirror my thoughts on Hendriks. Pitching across the body to same-sided hitters is folly. You need to go hard and inside on those hitters, giving them as little time as possible to watch the pitch travel to the plate. It shortens the pitch instead of giving a righty the chance to track the ball from the hand, across the plate, and into their wheelhouse (it also gives them a fraction of a second more to set up their swing or decide to take a ball). That's going to lead to disastrous results more often than not (plus, it allows righties to constantly crowd the plate and take the outside pitch away from the hurler).

 

From day one, I've said that Hendriks needs to stop being cute with his pitching and stop pitching scared. He still hasn't done that.

[Shane Wahl]

Great analysis. He is clearly also aiming instead of throwing. I have been surprised by him this year because he seems like a very smart pitcher who takes getting better seriously.

[Wookiee of the Year]

This is a strong analysis, but I'm still left wondering why right-handed hitters in AAA were held to a much lower average than those in the majors. Is the quality of right-handed hitting that much better in the majors? Has Hendrick's pitching strategy changed at all? Your analysis makes sense, except it still leaves me wondering why he found success against right-handers that he can't replicate one step up the ladder.

[Thrylos]

This is a strong analysis, but I'm still left wondering why right-handed hitters in AAA were held to a much lower average than those in the majors. Is the quality of right-handed hitting that much better in the majors? Has Hendrick's pitching strategy changed at all? Your analysis makes sense, except it still leaves me wondering why he found success against right-handers that he can't replicate one step up the ladder.

 

3 variables:

 

- different hitters (less experienced)

- different catchers

- different pitching coach

 

I think all 3 have a role

[SpantheMan]

Guy couldn't K anybody in the Minors stats show that, might be a good #5 in the National League. Here? Not happening

Don't give up on him. To doesn't have the potential to be a #5 starter after less than one season seems harsh

[glunn]

This is a great analysis, but it seems to me that Hendriks may also have developed a problem with his confidence. I wish that something could be done to get him to be more relaxed and just throw the damn ball inside.

[Montecore]

Informative.

[savvyspy]

Scott Diamond is a #5 starter on 90% of major league rosters. Hendricks is Kevin Slowey with an accent. He won't be in the league anywhere in 2 years. The Twins need to stop wasting time on #5 starter types and try to find an ace and #2 & #3 guys. That's all that matters. There hasn't been anyone that's won the title in my lifetime where afterwards anyone said, "Yeah that #5 starter was key". You hear the Twins talk about it because they have nothing else.

 

It an interesting point about the pictching angles but in reality the Twins probably already have seen this and didn't have him make the change for one of two reasons. 1. It didn't change anything or more likely, 2. He stopped throwing strikes.

 

Basically you keep him in Rochester so you don't have to waste time signing someone to AAA this winter and hope you never have to call him up or if you do its because you are chasing a Top 5 draft pick for the 3rd straight season.

[jimbo92107]

Let me ask you guys a question that I find interesting. Is Cole De Vries's "stuff" better than Liam Hendriks's?

 

Most of us would agree that Hendriks has better raw stuff. Faster heater, more sweep on his slider, generally throws the ball a couple mph faster.

 

Why is De Vries so much more successful than Hendriks?

[snepp]

Scott Diamond is a #5 starter on 90% of major league rosters.

 

Name them, and the four starters better than him on those teams.