The Pitching Mechanic
September 2008

Real-Time Illustrations and Analyses of
Proper and Improper Pitching Mechanics

9/24/2008

Chris Carpenter's Struggles Continue

The local St. Louis media are reporting that Chris Carpenter is experiencing what some doctors are characterizing as a career-threatening problem in his shoulder...

Disabled Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter is suffering from compression and scarring of a series of nerves feeding his right shoulder, prompting an area thoracic neurosurgeon on Tuesday to recommend the 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner undergo surgery.

This is very frustrating for me because all I see is one attempt after another to deal with Chris Carpenter's symptoms and absolutely no interest in addressing the root cause of his problems. As I have said multiple times before, the root cause is Chris Carpenter's pitching mechanics and problematic arm action (e.g. his Inverted L) and his resulting timing problems.

Chris Carpenter's Pitching Mechanics (2008)

The way Chris Carpenter's shoulders start to rotate before his Pitching Arm Side (PAS) forearm is vertical places more load on his elbow and shoulder than they are able to handle, which is why they keep breaking.
     Nothing will improve significantly until the Cardinals stop focusing on the symptoms of Chris Carpenter's problems and instead start focusing on the root cause of his problems, which is his problematic pitching mechanics.
     In fact, it may be too late to make a significant positive impact on the health of Chris Carpenter's arm. The rapid rate at which he is experiencing problems suggests to me that he may be stuck in a downward spiral.
     Which would totally suck.

9/19/2008

Shaun Marcum Needs Tommy John Surgery

A reader just informed me that Shaun Marcum of the Blue Jays needs Tommy John surgery. This doesn't surprise me at all. As I said way back in August of 2006, Shaun Marcum has an Inverted W in his arm action (based on the photos below I would classify it as more of an Inverted L), that can create a timing problem and significantly increase the load on the elbow (and shoulder).

Shaun Marcum

Shaun Marcum

Shaun Marcum

Shaun Marcum

Shaun Marcum

Shaun Marcum

Shaun Marcum

Shaun Marcum

The photo directly above suggests that Shaun Marcum does in fact have a timing problem (aka rushing), and it is the root cause of his elbow problems. The thing to notice is how his Glove Side (GS) foot has planted, which will cause his shoulders to start rotating, but his Pitching Arm Side (PAS) forearm is not yet vertical and in the high-cocked position.
     Before I close, let me quickly make two related points.
     First, I would not be surprised if the same thing is going on with Anthony Reyes and for similar reasons. Second, the fact that Shaun Marcum has a similar flaw in his pitching mechanics as BJ Ryan and AJ Burnett makes me wonder whether the Toronto Blue Jays, at least when it comes to professional scouting, have bought into the misguided idea that the Inverted L and Inverted W are necessary for throwing hard (and thus things to look for in pitchers). If so, then that doesn't bode well for their long-term success because I think that means that the Blue Jays will experience an increased incidence of pitchers who break down.

9/19/2008

Joba Chamberlain's Pitching Mechanics

I finally got my hands on some good video of Joba Chamberlain. As a result, I just completed a new analysis of the pitching mechanics of Joba Chamberlain.

Joba Chamberlain

9/15/2008

Welcome to My World

I love it when I get positive feedback from my readers -- especially fans at the HS, college, and major league level -- because it counterbalances the hate mail like this one I got yesterday.

a checked out your site and I am sorry, but as a minor league baseball player who is about to become a scout, and a guy who as studied pitching mechanics for the last three years how can you sell your crap. U dont know the first thing about pitching and your (inverted) v theory is crap, I wish someone could stop guys like you from taking peoples money and ruining kids arms.

I'm not exactly sure how I'm ruining kids arms by teaching them to emulate the pitching mechanics of Greg Maddux and Roger Clemens.

Whatever.

9/11/2008

Luke Hochevar's Pitching Mechanics

I recently came across a comparison of the pitching mechanics of Luke Hochevar and Mark Prior that I think is interesting. As a result, I have blown up the clip and have just completed an analysis of the pitching mechanics of Luke Hochevar.

9/8/2008

AJ Burnett's Pitching Mechanics

AJ Burnett has recently been discussed as a possible off-season target of my Cardinals. In my analysis of the pitching mechanics of AJ Burnett I explain why I think signing AJ Burnett would be a mistake due to his Inverted W and resulting timing problems.

AJ Burnett's Inverted W

9/5/2008

CC Sabathia's Pitching Mechanics

I recently DVRed a few good clips of CC Sabathia pitching. As a result, I just completed a quick analysis of the pitching mechanics of CC Sabathia.

9/3/2008

Jaime Garcia: I Hate It When I'm Right

Back on July 21st I took a look at the pitching mechanics of Jaime Garcia. I didn't like what I saw. Well, today I just found out that Jaime Garcia seems to need Tommy John surgery. I'm not at all surprised, given his unusual arm action and resulting timing problem.

9/3/2008

New High-Speed Video of Marshall Mechanics

One of Dr. Mike Marshall's students recently posted to YouTube some high speed video of the Marshall Pitching Mechanics and Motion.

The Pitching Mechanic - August 2008