Anthony DeSclafani Needs a Pitch Mix Fix - Caretaker Exclusive

[Rod Carews Birthday]

There are several things about DeSclafani that make him intriguing.  The most obvious, of course, is whether he will be healthy or at least mostly healthy this season.  That in and of itself could take him back to being a solid starting pitcher.  The second is that he possess a four-seamer that is seemingly effective, but that he doesn’t use.  Granted, with more use could come less effectiveness, but it is worth a try.  Finally, both of these things are without the old “learning a new pitch” like the sweeper.  If learning a sweeper was so easy, then every pitcher would do it, so while that is an option, he has two steps before he gets there.  

As others have said, this will come down to whether DeSclafani can make it happen.  Is he ready to change his pitch mix?  Can he make some adjustments to his repertoire that will be effective?  Will the Twins’ coaches be able to say just the right thing that will click?  Those unfortunately are the unknowns, but this does seem to be a worthy path to pursue.  

[Parker Hageman]

Quote

Sinkers generally benefit from being located down in the zone, exactly because they spin less quickly and with more gyroscopic elements. This causes the ball to break down and away to same-handed batters. (Sinkers left above the lower third of the zone tend not to sink to the same extent, thus reducing their effectiveness.)

I'll push back on this statement because as we've seen in recent years, the trend is to throw fastballs in the upper third and sinkers have started to follow their 4-seam brethren up there as well. While it is common to see more home runs, it also gets lower batting average in play, more swinging strikes, and more foul balls (strikes overall). 

Random convo here but the interesting development over the last 10 years is how the 4-seam went from a pitch that was 50/50 on upper half and lower half in 2013 to one that is now 65/35 in 2023 and the sinker went from a pitch that was 42/58 inner half/outer half to 53/47 in/out this past year. Down is now up and outside is now inside. 

Baseball is fun.

[AceWrigley]

2 hours ago, madtowntwin said:

Several Twin's pitchers added the Sweeper last Spring - It's really not Rocket Science.

If you were Roger Clemens pitching coach it would be. 😀

[AceWrigley]

DeSclafini's windup and delivery remind me some of Greg Maddux. Now all he needs is some of Maddux's late movement magic.

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

23 hours ago, Matthew Trueblood said:

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[Matthew Trueblood]

21 hours ago, CCHOF5yearstoolate said:

You got me to subscribe with this one! $50 a year is pretty reasonable, especially to me if it funds deep dives like this. 

Hey hey! Welcome aboard. That's great.