Statcast Bat Tracking, Blake Snell's Big Misses, Spencer Strider's Curveball & Cutter Deep Dive
Mar 1, 2024
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Podcast hosts discuss upcoming Statcast Bat Tracking technology, Blake Snell's free agency status, importance of Spencer Strider's curveball, challenges for teams with early Opening Day, and deep dive into the cutter pitch movement and effectiveness.
Developing a third pitch like a curveball is crucial for pitchers like Spencer Strider to enhance their arsenal and strategic capabilities.
Blake Snell's free agency journey underscores the importance of adapting to changing pitching landscapes and seeking sustainable success.
Preparing for early series poses challenges for pitchers focusing on building endurance and transitioning to a competitive mindset swiftly.
Deep dives
Significance of Developing a Third Pitch for Spencer Strider
Spencer Strider, known for his successful fastball-slider combo, is now working on a curveball. Adding this third pitch is crucial for him to enhance his pitching arsenal. By introducing the curveball, Strider aims to keep batters guessing and improve his sequencing for more effective outcomes. The curveball's purpose extends to inducing takes, ground balls, and freeze strikes, diversifying his pitch selection and strategy.
Exploring Pitch Location and Deception with the Curveball
The curveball's strategic placement closer to the middle of the zone offers a deceptive advantage for Spencer Strider. By disguising the curveball as a slider, he aims to surprise batters with location variations, inducing called strikes and generating ground balls. Utilizing the curveball for varied purposes, including freeze takes on specific counts, contributes to enhancing his overall effectiveness on the mound.
Potential Impact and Future Strategy for Blake Snell in Free Agency
Blake Snell's free agency journey, despite being a two-time Cy Young award winner, unfolds with multiple teams offering similar contracts. The Giants emerge as a likely destination due to pitching needs and timing, making Snell a valuable addition. The importance of developing a complete pitching arsenal, similar to Spencer Strider's curveball evolution, highlights the impact of strategic adaptation and the quest for sustainable success in the competitive baseball landscape.
Challenges of Pitchers and Position Players Preparing for Early Series
Pitchers, especially starting pitchers, face challenges getting ready for early series ahead of the regular schedule. They need to focus on stretching out, building endurance, and transitioning to a competitive mindset rapidly. Position players, particularly middle lineup hitters aiming to regain power in their swings, must balance purposeful practice and swing development without rushing their preparation.
Discussing the Effectiveness and Technical Nuances of Mariano Rivera's Cutter
The episode delves into the effectiveness and complexity of Mariano Rivera's cutter, highlighting its unique qualities like exceptional cut and ride. Comparison to other pitchers attempting to replicate the pitch emphasizes the difficulty in achieving both cut and ride in a cutter. The discussion explores the physical mechanics and grip variations involved in executing a successful cutter, showcasing the precision required to master this pitch effectively.
Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss Statcast's new Bat Tracking technology and the potential benefits of having that information as it becomes publicly available in 2024. Plus, they discuss Blake Snell as a free agent still available in March in a league desperate for quality starting pitchers, the importance of Spencer Strider's developing curveball, the challenges of getting ready for an earlier Opening Day, and take a deep dive into the cutter.
Rundown
1:10 Trevor's Takeaways From Oakland's Fans Fest
7:38 Coming Soon! Statcast's Bat Tracking Leaderboards
15:20 Blake Snell's Big-Miss Dominance
21:56 League-Wide Similarities in Contract Offers & Player Valuations
29:37 The Clear Need for Snell in San Francisco
32:28 The Importance of Spencer Strider's Developing Curveball
38:26 Challenges for the Dodgers and Padres Ramping Up for Early Opening Day in Korea
42:48 Cutter Deep Dive
54:09 Live Q&A: Camilo Doval's Unusual Cutter Movement, Mo's Cutter v. Maddux's Two-Seamer to Lefties, Evaluating Pitchers Coming Back from Tommy John surgery
