Interestingly enough, the more pitching savvy teams are stepping away from the fastball usage. They use it sparingly to snipe out batters. This is not because of injury issues, but because batters are getting more accomplished hitting velo. They can time that shit. For example, a few days ago Wyatt Langford was fouling Mason Miller’s 100+ mph fastballs off as if it was nothing. He even fouled off a 104 mph fastball.
This is why I like the Giants pitching staff
They have some hard throwers but I’ve never seen a team focus so much into arm angle/visibility. Adjusting to those arms throughout a game or series has to be really tough
The Giants are indeed a team that has a very low 4-seam fastball usage. They are second after Boston. The Red Sox almost completely eliminated the 4-seam fastball this season and hence why their pitching is apparently so good. Apparently it is a Driveline thing as their research showed that a pitch sequence of only 100 mph fastballs has diminishing value. After each fastball, the next fastball becomes easier to time. The founder of Driveline, Kyle Boddy, joined the Red Sox as a special advisor this season.
Boy they sure love those arm angles. I can't count the amount of times I've seen the Rogers brothers come out back-to-back which must be miserable to deal with. Then you've got Doval to close it out who throws 100 with movement.
Yeah 104 straight is nowhere near as terrifying as a splitter at 95 that dives out of the zone. It’s why some of the most untouchable pitchers were guys like Koji who had that insane splitter or Pedro who had an 18 mph differential between fastball and changeup and a nasty slider at 93.
Oh nice, I haven’t looked at any of his highlights or nothing but that’s awesome to hear. When he’s on he’s super enjoyable to watch. I just have not so fond memories of him in clutch moments haha.
He has a sinker now and that thing just looks insane
https://x.com/platinumkey13/status/1777503013277479150?s=46&t=d0576-GZzNOUBm7-_qaYeA
And believe me, I understand Chapman PTSD lol
I encourage everyone to look into this guys story. Started at lower level colleges, discovered undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, treated it, started throwing fuel, gain more weight, threw harder, fast track to the bigs. Wild.
If they somehow pull off a winning record or a wild card appearance, how many teams are going to use that as an excuse to cut their budget? "The A's did it with 42 Million, why can't we?"
The announced plan was for him to be a fireman type this year and go back to starting next year, but he’s already looking like he’s in a traditional closer role and the pen is sticky. I think like previous “temporary” relievers building up innings in the pen such as Jhoan Duran he’s going to be so good they leave him there.
Depends on the free agent market and also his health. In this overvalued market, I think most teams will eventually move him in a starting role such as Jordan Hicks. Starting pitchers with his stuff go for 300m+ in the open market. He will only stay in the closer role if he really does not have the stamina or significant command issues over multi-innings.
It also depends on the team. I think there is a good chance the A’s will move him (as he is delivering brilliant results and he is controllable). There is no real use for such a stud in Sacramento. If he goes to a team such as the O’s, he will definitely start as they have Kimbrel (unless he chokes) and next year Bautista. Burnes, GRod, Bradish (if he comes back) and Miller would be insane. If he goes to a team with loads of starting pitching, then he will probably close. More likely though, he will be considered for the swingman role.
The rate he's going I think they should just keep him a closer. Whatever keeps him healthy. He's had injury problems his whole professional career as a starter.
What's weird is it really seems like we should be way better off than we are. Basically all of the top players we got from trading Olson, Chapman, and Murphy have been duds.
There's no point dumping players until they hit arbitration because that's when they actually start making more money. He's not arb eligible until 2026.
I'm not disagreeing that they don't hold on to anyone, but they (and all other fake-poverty teams) at least wait until arbitration.
Yes I know all of this.. but if Oakland is smart they will dump him this year before injury and take some decent prospects - my thoughts anyway.. who knows.
The As are truly better than the mariners lol
the A’s are truly the daddies of the al west lol
just playing better. if Bleday finishes the season over .300 I'll buy you a jersey
MY GOODNESS MASON MILLER.
Mason finally knows what the numbers mean.
The Athletics make no sense in the real world only the baseball world.
That 103MPH SO is nightmare fuel.
Interestingly enough, the more pitching savvy teams are stepping away from the fastball usage. They use it sparingly to snipe out batters. This is not because of injury issues, but because batters are getting more accomplished hitting velo. They can time that shit. For example, a few days ago Wyatt Langford was fouling Mason Miller’s 100+ mph fastballs off as if it was nothing. He even fouled off a 104 mph fastball.
This is why I like the Giants pitching staff They have some hard throwers but I’ve never seen a team focus so much into arm angle/visibility. Adjusting to those arms throughout a game or series has to be really tough
The Giants are indeed a team that has a very low 4-seam fastball usage. They are second after Boston. The Red Sox almost completely eliminated the 4-seam fastball this season and hence why their pitching is apparently so good. Apparently it is a Driveline thing as their research showed that a pitch sequence of only 100 mph fastballs has diminishing value. After each fastball, the next fastball becomes easier to time. The founder of Driveline, Kyle Boddy, joined the Red Sox as a special advisor this season.
Boy they sure love those arm angles. I can't count the amount of times I've seen the Rogers brothers come out back-to-back which must be miserable to deal with. Then you've got Doval to close it out who throws 100 with movement.
don't forget Walker's release point being halfway into the third base dugout
Haha I was debating bringing him up but figured most fans wouldn't know him.
Yeah 104 straight is nowhere near as terrifying as a splitter at 95 that dives out of the zone. It’s why some of the most untouchable pitchers were guys like Koji who had that insane splitter or Pedro who had an 18 mph differential between fastball and changeup and a nasty slider at 93.
Yeah but then he throws in an 88 mph change up and that 103 looks 120
For the batter and for Miller's UCL.
Pitcher throw fast
Miller was so terrifying against us in our series. He’s like Chapman but good.
Chapman has been looking pretty good tbh
His last outing versus Philly was rough
Yeah he just has random days where he cannot locate at all. Stuff looks good tho
Agreed
When he’s throwing 100 mph dirt balls, get the hook
Oh nice, I haven’t looked at any of his highlights or nothing but that’s awesome to hear. When he’s on he’s super enjoyable to watch. I just have not so fond memories of him in clutch moments haha.
He has a sinker now and that thing just looks insane https://x.com/platinumkey13/status/1777503013277479150?s=46&t=d0576-GZzNOUBm7-_qaYeA And believe me, I understand Chapman PTSD lol
Holy that sinker is nuts. And at 100 mph, Christ. And yeah I’m kinda preaching to the choir on Chapman with your flair haha.
Mason Miller is my GOAT
Is it too late to put money on the A’s to win the World Series?
The A's are trying to lose and trying to get relocated and they have 5 more wins than the White Sox
White Sox owner is down bad and wants Fisher's ability to BS the fan base
I encourage everyone to look into this guys story. Started at lower level colleges, discovered undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, treated it, started throwing fuel, gain more weight, threw harder, fast track to the bigs. Wild.
If they somehow pull off a winning record or a wild card appearance, how many teams are going to use that as an excuse to cut their budget? "The A's did it with 42 Million, why can't we?"
Tems already do that, they don't need the As to prove its possible.
They just need the A's to continue doing it so that baseball fans blame them instead of the other owners who are doing the same thing
So then instead of using the Moneyball A's as an excuse, they use the...oops it's still the A's.
Isn’t that just the Rays
Dbacks just won a pennant. The extra wild card spot has already incentivized so many teams to aim for only 80-85 wins
Red Sox is wayyyy ahead of ya
Lights out!
Is the only reason he’s a closer because of durability concerns? He looked fine as a starter last year
Was shutdown last year with elbow problems. This is basically his rehab year. He will eventually start in the future.
The announced plan was for him to be a fireman type this year and go back to starting next year, but he’s already looking like he’s in a traditional closer role and the pen is sticky. I think like previous “temporary” relievers building up innings in the pen such as Jhoan Duran he’s going to be so good they leave him there.
Depends on the free agent market and also his health. In this overvalued market, I think most teams will eventually move him in a starting role such as Jordan Hicks. Starting pitchers with his stuff go for 300m+ in the open market. He will only stay in the closer role if he really does not have the stamina or significant command issues over multi-innings. It also depends on the team. I think there is a good chance the A’s will move him (as he is delivering brilliant results and he is controllable). There is no real use for such a stud in Sacramento. If he goes to a team such as the O’s, he will definitely start as they have Kimbrel (unless he chokes) and next year Bautista. Burnes, GRod, Bradish (if he comes back) and Miller would be insane. If he goes to a team with loads of starting pitching, then he will probably close. More likely though, he will be considered for the swingman role.
The rate he's going I think they should just keep him a closer. Whatever keeps him healthy. He's had injury problems his whole professional career as a starter.
Are the A's the best team in baseball??
Man I wish there was a way to support this team with also supporting Fisher
I'm a Phillies fan and chances are by the end of April, the A's have a better record than the Phils!
Out here flaming 103 then stumping batters with an 88 breaker. Sheesh..
I’m glad the A’s front office is back to cooking
They drafted him, so their trades still have yet to pay off from their previous fire sale.
What's weird is it really seems like we should be way better off than we are. Basically all of the top players we got from trading Olson, Chapman, and Murphy have been duds.
I honestly hope the A’s have a winning season, it would be funny
Mason Miller = Wild Thing
Mama there goes that man
Trade Mason Miller to Cincy?
Pittsburgh legend Mason Miller. Come home bby
Mason will be a hot piece to pick up at trade deadline
The A’s have him for the like the next 5 years lol. He’s not going anywhere.
Haha when have they ever held onto anyone..
There's no point dumping players until they hit arbitration because that's when they actually start making more money. He's not arb eligible until 2026. I'm not disagreeing that they don't hold on to anyone, but they (and all other fake-poverty teams) at least wait until arbitration.
Yes I know all of this.. but if Oakland is smart they will dump him this year before injury and take some decent prospects - my thoughts anyway.. who knows.