About The Author
Jordan Tuwiner - Founder and Executive Editor
Jordan founded Orioles-Nation.com in November 2009. He is a computer science & business major at Towson University. He is the site programmer, designer, editor and primary minor league writer. He also contributes to and maintains the site’s prospect rankings and scouting reports. Jordan's work has been recognized in a number of publications including MASN, The Baltimore Sun, MLB Trade Rumors, FanGraphs and Project Prospect. In addition, Jordan is a special contributor to John Sickels’ (formerly of ESPN.com) blog, Minor League Ball. Read more about Jordan at JordanTuwiner.com and follow him on Google+ and on Twitter @JordanTuwiner.
My name is Jordan Tuwiner and I'm a computer science major at Towson University.
Wow, that kid is projectable! I don’t see any major delivery issues though I am no expert. His FB sure seems to have a lot of tail to it.
Vader is one of the kids I am keeping my eye on, much like Cowan last year, he didn’t generate a ton of buzz when we picked him, but I see big potential. I really like the crop of HS arms we took this year with Vader, Bridwell and Esquivel. Combine them with the HS arms from 09(Hobgood, Wirsch, T.Berry, and Coffey) and some of the younger JuCo kids of that year(Henry and Martin) and we have a massive plethora of high ceiling arms coming up together…..
Looks like a pretty clean delivery
I would not call it “clean”, but it is fairly a safe delivery that should not cause major arm issues, if he replicates it every single time. He keeps both arms below the shoulder girdle, keeps his body linear and never crosses it, and his plant is in line as well.
1. He tends to reach back and “gear up” during his delivery. His arm bends the elbow back more towards first base, but it takes his entire arm with him. This is too much movement that has to be perfect to get him in the correct path. This also does not happen every single time and some pitches are more exaggerated than others. This is a little thing that could help any future control issues. It also keeps from tipping pitches, which is an added bonus. I did not look to see if this difference was with the same type of pitch with different effort or if this is a result of different types of pitches.
2. He shortens his follow through and decelerates after releasing the ball. This is something that Pelzer does as well and almost every single young pitcher. He would be better severed by fully turning the hips and planting that his foot down. It will even his back and lower slightly. It means more downward path that tends to keep balls down. It is not a huge item, but something that would make him an even more effective pitcher.
He should be able to fill out by about 15 pounds. If he learns to use his butt more and really drive off and fuly extend the follow through, it could mean a tick or two in the fastball. I like the 3/4 slot from his arm action and the toughtest thing to teach, he seems to already mastered. It is too early to say the type of pitcher, but he is a legit prospect.
BTW: Today is a great lesson to never get too hype about pitchers with poor mechanics, even if they throw 100 mph. Strasburg, who I have said was a time bomb waiting to happen because of his arm slot and action, is set to have TJS soon and a brand new elbow.
Never, and I repeat, never, cock your arms above your head in your delivery. It may never result in blowing your arm, but way too many phenoms have the same slot arm action and whip out rather quickly.
I echo what the poster says below about enjoying your posts. As far as Strasburg, its a shame for the kid and wouldnt wish it upon him, but maybe this will help keep these out of control signing bonuses down in the future. Prior, Strasburg, etc
It’s a very good lesson in the way you described but also to prove there is no such thing as a “safe” prospect. Strasburg is a very good pitcher but throwing 100+ mph + bad mechanics is not a good combo. The guys over at Project Prospect bet multiple people Mike Leake would have a better career than Strasburg. Obviously it won’t be years before we know who’s right but their approach to prospects is a very good one. Big websites like Baseball America don’t take injury risks into account. PP does. They have a nice breakdown of Strasburg’s mechanics here for anyone interested:
http://projectprospect.com/article/2009/10/13/stephen-strasburg-scouting-report
Let me make it clear, I wish I was 100% incorrect in my thinking that Strasburg would ever get hurt. I wish everyone a long, safe career. It was just something that I see that mimicks Cris Carpenter, A.J Burnett, Jake Peavy….
Don, I really enjoy reading your reports on the site. Do you mind sharing your background in the game, even if vaguely? You and Jordan both seem incredibly knowledgable, so I’m just generally curious how your background differs from a simpleton fan like me.
Thanks for the remarks…
I played 5 seasons in the White Soxs organization….