Two injuries are discussed in depth by Joe Janish and baseball pitching motion expert Angel Borrelli. First, the broken elbow suffered by Oakland Athletics pitcher Jarrod Parker, who was rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery. Second, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Smyly‘s shoulder injury — Angel goes into detail to explain a labrum tear and how the role of the labrum and shoulder in the pitching motion. Finally, Angel offeres two baseball pitching velocity tips; the first involving the wrist, the second focused on the importance of the glove arm and how it controls rotation. Refer to photos below that illustrate the tips described.
In this episode, Joe and Angel interview Dr. Glenn Fleisig, Research Director for American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) and the foremost expert on biomechanics of the baseball pitching motion. Among the topics covered include Major League Baseball’s willingness to accept science in general and biomechanical analysis in particular; how quantitative and qualitative analysis work together to correct flaws in the pitching motion; and how science can prevent pitching injuries. Dr. Fleisig explains the process of evaluating and applying mechanical adjustments. Finally, Dr. Fleisig answers hot-button questions such as: 1) can mechanical adjustments enhance performance; 2) what is keeping pitchers from making necessary changes; 3) how can pitchers avoid second — or third — Tommy John surgeries; 4) are pitching injuries inevitable.
What’s it like to be the parent of one of the top high school players in the country? How do you protect the arm of a star pitcher from being over-used and abused by overzealous coaches? When do professional baseball scouts and college coaches start calling and visiting your home, and how do you manage them? How do you decide whether to accept a four-year scholarship or sign a million-dollar contract from a MLB team? What can a parent do to keep his/her son’s life balanced and prevent burnout? How can you keep your son’s feet on the ground while he reaches for the stars?
All these questions and more are answered by Tom DeMers, father of College Park High School (Pleasant Hill, California) senior and top-rated pitching prospect Joe DeMers.
In this episode, Joe Janish and Angel Borrelli discuss updates of pitchers from previous episodes, such as Homer Bailey, Jonathon Niese, Justin Verlander, Vic Black, and Masahiro Tanaka. In particular, Angel explains the connection between Vic Black’s herniated disc and his shoulder weakness, and she goes into detail about Tanaka’s reduced velocity. Finally, Angel provides a velocity tip by illustrating — with photos referenced below — how pitchers need to, and fail to, “get over the front leg.”
