Pitchers With Large Hip/Shoulder
Differentials

9/20/2007

If you've followed my work, then you know that I believe that the primary contributor to a pitcher's velocity is the differential between the rotation of their hips and their shoulders. If the hips rotate before the shoulders, then that stretches the muscles of the torso, which enables them to powerfully pull the shoulders around.
     This is what I mean when I say that someone throws with their body more than their arm.
     Below are photos of some major league pitchers whose hips rotate well before their shoulders. In each case, the thing to notice is that their belt buckle is pointing at or near home plate while their shoulders are in line with home plate and second base.

Winston Abreu

Josh Beckett

Casey Fossum

Dan Haren

Dan Haren

Jorge Julio

Scott Kazmir

Tim Lincecum

Akinori Otsuka

Jonathan Papelbon

Steve Trachsel