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Former Peoria pitcher Paul Schwendel has made some very interesting comments on Twitter. You need to read them all yourself, but here are a few points. Eno Sarris of The Athletic commented that he has heard the same thing.
– Conflicting direction between some coaches vs. (the director of player development and pitching coordinators) on strikeouts (view of analytics and new school coaches) vs. pitch to contact (bosses and old schoolers).
– Some pitching coaches and coordinators are not educated on new technology.
Sarris adds that with defenses limited by new rules and balls flying out of parks, strikeouts are more important than ever. The Cards are viewed as behind behind the times. This is being brought up in context of the failings of the major league staff (and their preparation in the minors).
I saw that earlier. Some people were questioning the veracity of it. I don’t know Schwendel, but Sarris is a straight shooter.
If that is the case, it sounds like that kind of disconnect needs to be addressed. If the Cardinals are going to rely on the minor league system for pitching on the major league team, and all signs point in that direction, everyone needs to be on the same page. Pitching has been and still is the glaring weakness.
I have never met Paul, but I know Eno quite well. He is very, very intelligent and a good analyst/reporter. In a national role, he can be more frank without associated blowback concerns.
So I have heard. I have no reason to question what he says he has been told.
The whole thing answers some questions in my mind. Pitching used to be a strength some time ago but it clearly is not now and hasn’t been for a while. Some of that is a draft issue of course, but I have often wondered if our development staff are asleep at the wheel.
Interesting. At a local SABR event in February, we toured former major league pitcher Jason Hirsch’s facility. He has a place where high school and college age players can enroll and develop their skills as a hitter and/or pitcher. It is all real high tech with the usual measurements on kid’s spin rate, velocity, etc (for pitchers).
In the Q&A session, someone asked Hirsch how he would build the Rockies’ pitching staff if he was in charge. He said he would draft and develop strikeout guys. He said in Coors Field, you are going to give up the homers, but to be successful you need strikeout pitchers.
He also said the change up is becoming more important than ever in a pitcher’s arsenal. Strike out stuff and change speeds is the way he sees the future, which is pretty much what has been going on in most organizations.
A bit troubling to hear that the Cardinals may be behind the times on that. I think the Rockies are as well.
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