Read on Twitter
When I try to guess what Cubs see in Stewart, I keep coming back to the sinker (his main pitch). In 2018, he allowed a 276 wOBA with it. In 2019? 446 wOBA.
The organizational fascination with sinkers makes me think they believe they can return it to its 2018 form.
The organizational fascination with sinkers makes me think they believe they can return it to its 2018 form.
So my first thought was: well did the movement change on the pitch? Answer: not really.
Second thought, release point? Yes! Horizontally. From -2.25 feet in 2018 to -1.68 feet in 2019.
You can see the change visually, but I guess my question is: how much will that matter?
Second thought, release point? Yes! Horizontally. From -2.25 feet in 2018 to -1.68 feet in 2019.
You can see the change visually, but I guess my question is: how much will that matter?
I don’t think the Cubs know whether a slight shift on the rubber will matter either. But here are the 2018 and 2019 charts of him throwing the sinker. Did the 2018 spot help him stay armside (and more importantly: miss armside) better? I bet they’ll find out.
For the record, here was the horizontal release point on all sinkers or 2 seamers thrown by a RHP for the Cubs in 2020. It’s a broad range, so I don’t think the Cubs have a broad organizational philosophy about what’s “right” for everyone.
But what Cubs do believe is there’s a “right” release point for each individual guy. Which made me think of Kyle Ryan’s story, which @GDubCub wrote last February.
A five inch release point fix. “Life-changing.”
The Stewart release point change we’re talking about? 7 inches.
A five inch release point fix. “Life-changing.”
The Stewart release point change we’re talking about? 7 inches.
Sorry for the long thread, I’m sure it’s going to land me a “thanks a lot, that was boring as hell” reply in a day or two.
But I’m just endlessly fascinated in baseball’s increasingly scientific ways to have coaching optimize player performance. It’s the edge.
But I’m just endlessly fascinated in baseball’s increasingly scientific ways to have coaching optimize player performance. It’s the edge.
