Article: Between the Chalk: Inside Kyle Gibson's Struggles

[jdotmcmahon]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2193-Between-the-Chalk-Inside-Kyle-Gibson-s-Struggles

[John Bonnes]

Very nice story. Well structured, very clear and lots to digest. You are very talented Jesse.

[CGNikolic]

With his recent over-reliance on his fastball and harder stuff as a whole, do you think Gibson may be overthrowing due to the heightened expectations we put on this young man so soon after having a major surgery? It seems the state of the Twins starting rotation knows no bounds to how bad it can make anyones day Great article though, and here's hoping that Gibson's last 3 starts or so go much better than his previous major league starts have, and that we can have somewhat of a bright spot to look forward to for next year.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Seems to me that control is the last thing that comes back from TJ surgery, and your article indicates that he's having control issues. He's not getting nearly enough first pitch strikes and is leaning more on his fastball than his secondary pitches, which I assume is because he isn't commanding them as well.

 

My guess is that he'll take a nice step forward next year.

[h2oface]

Gibson has been squeezed by inadequate plate umpires in every start according to pitch/fx. He hardly ever gets the great low strike, and they are constantly being called balls. Getting the calls right would have drastically changed his performance. Such is the problem with the anti-human part of the game, the umpires.

[drjim]

Gibson has been squeezed by inadequate plate umpires in every start according to pitch/fx. He hardly ever gets the great low strike, and they are constantly being called balls. Getting the calls right would have drastically changed his performance. Such is the problem with the anti-human part of the game, the umpires.

 

I personally blame bad pitch framing.

[snepp]

I personally blame bad pitch framing.

 

And by extension, Ryan Doumit.

[Linus]

And Terry Ryan. If he would have been called up earlier, he would be doing much better.

[drjim]

And Terry Ryan. If he would have been called up earlier, he would be doing much better.

 

Imagine how good he would be if he got called up in 2012.

[Mike Sixel]

good thing I was on mute reading those last two posts.....LLOL.

[Willihammer]

I personally blame bad pitch framing.

 

The strike zone is subjective

[Willihammer]

Among the 186 starters with at least 30 IP, the Twins have 4 in the bottom 28 of first pitch strike percentage. Gibsons first pitch strike percentage of 50% is 2nd worst only to Zack Wheeler's 49.6%.

[Mike Sixel]

Willihammer......what's with the pink lipstick? If it is a spoiler somehow, just send a PM.....

[Willihammer]

Willihammer......what's with the pink lipstick? If it is a spoiler somehow, just send a PM.....

 

Somehow we got onto lipstick in one of the game threads where Deduno was pitching.

[h2oface]

I personally blame bad pitch framing.

 

Pitch framing is a sad commentary on an umpires incorrect and subjective and inconsistent strike zone. If the instantaneous tools to call the consistent and accurate strike zone are used, it would never, and should never, be a part of the call. Personally, I don't want fake strikes for any batter or pitcher. A false strike zone is the anti-human part of the game. It cheats both the batter and the pitchers..... the human part of the game, the actual players - the part that even traditionalists and non-progressives say they don't want to not be a part of the game.

[drjim]

Pitch framing is a sad commentary on an umpires incorrect and subjective and inconsistent strike zone. If the instantaneous tools to call the consistent and accurate strike zone are used, it would never, and should never, be a part of the call. Personally, I don't want fake strikes for any batter or pitcher. A false strike zone is the anti-human part of the game. It cheats both the batter and the pitchers..... the human part of the game, the actual players - the part that even traditionalists and non-progressives say they don't want to not be a part of the game.

 

I think the balls and strikes problem is vastly overstated. When it comes to umpiring, I am much more concerned about a fair/foul or an obvious play on a base/home plate being wrong.

[jimbo92107]

Frank Viola looked like an immature weenie his first season, like Matt Garza without the evil pointy beard. Whaddaya want??

 

Takes one or two years before even a talented pitcher finds his stride in mlb. Gibson needs to take a few lessons from Andrew Albers. Forget about overwhelming hitters with your amazing stuff, just make them uncomfortable by moving the ball around, keeping it down, pitching inside and staying away from the middle. Right now Gibson is too predictable, throwing his "power sinker" to the same spots too much.

 

Great stuff, Gibbie, now learn how to pitch!