posted on Saturday, April 05, 2008 2:01 AM
by
Jim
Pitch Counting
Jose Contreras threw 92 pitches
in five difficult innings (and one batter) to the Tigers today.
I counted 50 times that he dropped down. That could be give or take one or two, since FSN Detroit sometimes used a weird camera angle to show the pitch and I couldn't be certain.
So without getting into it, he threw more than half his pitches from the sidearm slot.
But let's get into it a bit further.
Contreras didn't drop down once against lefties, of which there were three in the Detroit lineup: true lefties Clete Thomas (love the name) and Jacque Jones, and switch-hitting Carlos Guillen. He threw 36 pitches in those at-bats.
Evidently he must feel like he can only throw overhand against lefties. So in situations where Contreras had the option, he chose it 89.3 percent (50 of 56) of the time.
That's a ridiculously high percentage. Contreras has shown the tendency to rely on the unorthodox (though 9 out of 10 suggests highly orthodox) arm angle, but that he would throw it that often leads me to one or more of these conclusions:
- He thinks it's effective.
- He couldn't get loose.
- He's hiding an injury.
It can't be No. 1. It can't. Even Hawk Harrelson will admit that Contreras loses velocity and movement when he drops down.
No. 2 is more likely, though the 40-degree weather doesn't explain all of it. He threw overhand far more in Memphis last week, and while it was 10 degrees warmer, it was also raining for most of his start.
Let's hope it's not No. 3. Contreras' health history suggests this is possible, but Ozzie Guillen didn't cut Contreras any slack in a mound visit or
his postgame comments:
“After you get a three-run lead, you're walking the first two guys and
then start walking around the mound,’’ manager Ozzie Guillen said. “The
body language has got to be better next time. I told him, 'If you throw
two innings, I want the best stuff out of your hands.’ '’
Considering the compassion Guillen has shown Contreras for his other various circumstances -- from a subpoena to a divorce -- I wouldn't think he'd be the type to disregard an injury.
If he had difficult getting warm, the weather probably won't be much of a help in the near future. Contreras' next start is Thursday night in Chicago against the Twins.
************************
Hey, did you know the Sox signed
Jeff DaVanon to a minor-league contract? Me neither. He started for Charlotte tonight.
Minor league round-up:- Charlotte 8, Columbus 3
- Josh Fields went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts for the second straight game. He did draw a walk.
- Jeff Liefer homered, doubled and drove in two. Michael Rouse also went deep.
- DaVanon had two hits, and Chris Getz went 1-for-3 with two walks.
- Adam Russell picked up the win with two scoreless innings in relief (0 H, 2 BB, 2 K); Oneli Perez pitched a perfect ninth.
- Birmingham vs. Tennessee PPD
- Winston-Salem vs. Kinston SUSPENDED
- Kannapolis vs. Greenville PPD