In Season 2, Episode 6 of The Fix, Joe Janish and Angel Borrelli discuss in detail Justin Verlander‘s triceps cramp, why it happened, his risk of continuing to pitch with it, how the issue can be fixed, and what pitchers should do if they suffer similar symptoms. In doing so, Angel explains the scientific process of diagnosing and fixing pitching mechanics from the perspective of a kinesiologist. Also, Angel uses Masahiro Tanaka‘s minor UCL tear as an example of what can happen when pitchers pitch through major injuries.
Additionally, Angel answers a question from a listener regarding whether weighted balls and weighted ball programs are worthwhile for improving pitching performance.
Finally, listeners are treated to a free tip to increase a baseball pitcher’s velocity, and it has to do with maximum external rotation.
Above is the photo that Angel refers to in the podcast during her velocity tip.
The New York Mets announced that Zack Wheeler underwent successful Tommy John surgery to repair his UCL and a torn flexor tendon. That’s good news. However, Wheeler could have avoided the surgery. How? Listen to Season 2, Episode 5 of The Fix.
Baseball pitching motion expert Angel Borrelli and Joe Janish discuss the rash of pitching injuries suffered in the first week of 2015 spring training games. Is long toss a good idea when a pitcher has a sore arm and/or a possible arm injury? Should he “throw through” soreness? A particular focus on Gavin Floyd‘s chronic and recurring elbow injuries, as well as the contrast between how Yu Darvish and Mark Appel reacted to warning signs experienced during their pregame warmups. Other pitchers discussed include Cliff Lee, Brandon Cumpton, Tim Collins, Adam Wainwright, and Vincent Velasquez. Finally, Angel shares a secret to pitching velocity.
Angel Borrelli and Joe Janish start off season two of The Fix discussing pitching mechanics and injury prevention. The beginning of spring training / spring practice through the beginning of the season is the time when most pitching injuries occur — why? Here’s a hint: you can’t blame it directly on cold weather. Also, what is the single most important factor to consider in keeping pitchers healthy this year — for pitchers at all levels from little league through the big leagues? (Another hint: it has nothing to do with pitch counts nor innings limits.) What should you be looking for, and asking your pitchers, when spring practice begins. Finally, Angel provides a secret to pitching velocity that pitchers can begin working on today.
Pitching motion expert Angel Borrelli and baseball coach / blogger Joe Janish talk about the offseason for pitchers — both healthy pitchers and those recovering from injury. In particular, what baseball pitchers should be thinking about, doing, and training in preparation for the spring. Angel addresses the question of whether pitchers should be playing other sports, and also explains how to reverse-engineer their offseason throwing program to ensure they’ll be ready for spring training / spring practice. Finally, Angel and Joe discuss mechanical adjustments — when they should occur, and when and why they can be dangerous.
Pitching motion expert Angel Borrelli and baseball coach/blogger Joe Janish discuss the Mets’ decision to stall Matt Harvey‘s rehabilition schedule based on teammate Jeremy Hefner‘s setback. Angel offers theories on why the Mets may have come to this decision and explains the possible risks of slowing down Harvey’s progress. Additionally, she offers insight on what pitchers — both healthy and those rehabbing from injury — should be doing in the offseason. Finally, Angel answers a question from a listener regarding an offseason long-toss program recommended to a high school pitcher.
Pitching motion expert Angel Borrelli and ESPN SweetSpot blogger Joe Janish start out by discussing the deceleration phase of the baseball pitching motion and how it is important toward both staying healthy and in troubleshooting mechanics. Then, they talk about a mechanical flaw that some pitchers exhibit (most notably Stephen Strasburg, Mark Prior, and Zack Wheeler) that is described in some circles as an “inverted W.” Finally, Joe recounts the Seattle Mariners’ decision to leave pitcher Roenis Elias in a recent game after he suffered a forearm cramp.
Baseball coach/blogger and pitching mechanics expert / sport kinesiologist Angel Borrelli discuss the importance of recovery for a baseball pitcher. Toward that end, Angel goes in detail to explain the meaning, and best use of, pitch counts. This is an episode that every pitcher, baseball coach, and parent should hear.
According to various reports and rumors swirling about the baseball blogosphere, Johan Santana is throwing this winter with an eye toward returning to the mound in 2014.
Though the Mets declined a $25M option to keep him another year, the team didn’t close the door on signing him to a much less expensive deal for next season. There also has been some banter that a reunionbetweenSantana and the Minnesota Twinsis a possibility. With pitching a priority for every MLB club not based in St. Louis, some team, somewhere, almost assuredly will take a flyer on Santana. I get the feeling he’s going to look for a one-year flyer at somewhere between $6M and $10M. Will he be worth the gamble?
