7 replies to this topic

[Infield Infidel]

Here's a vid of Bard talking about trying to find his old mechanics

http://www.milb.com/...py_22113501&v=3

Toward the end he mentions that he recently found out that he's been landing on a softer front side all season, and that he saw that his older mechanics he landed on stiffer front side, or a harder front leg. For those more well-versed in mechanics, what does that exactly entail and how does that relate to the decrease in velocity this season? Does it mean he needs to push off harder, or have a longer or shorter stride?

Edited by Infield Infidel, 08 June 2012 - 10:45 AM.

[JakeRae]

Here's a vid of Bard talking about trying to find his old mechanics

http://www.milb.com/...py_22113501&v=3

Toward the end he mentions that he recently found out that he's been landing on a softer front side all season, and that he saw that his older mechanics he landed on stiffer front side, or a harder front leg. For those more well-versed in mechanics, what does that exactly entail and how does that relate to the decrease in velocity this season? Does it mean he needs to push off harder, or have a longer or shorter stride?

I'm not an expert, but a softer front leg would likely mean less ability to generate torque during the delivery and reduced velocity. So, based on my general understanding of bio-mechanics, this could be a significant factor in his velocity loss.

As a non-expert on pitching mechanics, I can't answer the questions about mechanical cause and effect relationships geared toward fixing this problem. I will say that it is great to hear of a real mechanical issue that could be at the heart of his struggles. I'd love to see them give him a piggy-back starter and limit him to 3-4 innings for a while to keep his inning count down while he sorts out his mechanics. If they manage this right and his issues are fixable, he could start to stretch back out in another month or so and be ready to take over for Doubront when he hits his innings limit (which he presumably has) or for someone else if they get hurt. Being in AAA and having a problem to fix could be the perfect opportunity to reduce his workload for a month or two and set him up to be back in the rotation playing a significant role down the stretch. (I know, I'm an optimist. I'm not counting on him contributing later, but we'll know a lot more in a month and can worry about acquiring another starter at that point if he still hasn't fixed whatever is wrong.)

If it's not clear already, I am still very much not willing to give up on the Bard as starter project.

[Infield Infidel]

got this pm from lurker benkramer

Hey there, thought I could chime in:

It could be several specific things, but it likely means that his landing foot has not been in the position he wants. "Soft" usually would refer to either landing on the front/outside part of the foot (imagine rolling your ankle inwards) or on the heel. Landing on either of those spots - as opposed to the foot landing flat - could cause he torso to open to early, or for him to lose additional stability in his release slot because he does not have a steady landing spot.

Ideally, a pitcher lands with his foot at a 45 -degree angle towards home plate, allowing him to rotate over his torso and create velocity as well as a consistant release point. Landing on either the front side or heel could adversely affect that and - as Bard himself mentions in the video - is undetectable from most TV angles.

[Sprowl]

Cuzitt's report on the minor league day included this column by Paul Kenyon (ProJo) about the changes in mechanics and mindset that Bard undertook to become a starter:

Bard has spoken about how he might have tried to change too many parts of his motion because he was moving from the bullpen into a starting role.

“The intentions were good from everybody, including every coach I talked to and myself,” he said. “We came into spring training and said, ‘How do we need to change everything I do to fit the starting role?’ I don’t think we needed to change as much as we thought we did. We tweaked a lot of things mechanically trying to simplify me, trying to get the best windup that I’m comfortable with. We probably did a little too much. You can’t pitch and think at the same time. I think that’s the key to it.”

Is Bard's delivery simpler than in 2011? Pitchfx can only give us release points, which are at best partial reflections of arm slot, which is only one element of mechanics. What do you observe?

I see a pitcher who wanders between two different slots, delivering the slider, changeup, and some fastballs from a 3/4 slot. Most fastballs are coming from a more sidearm angle, closer to 10 o'clock. The first arm slot is fairly close to Papelbon's; the second slot looks more like Masterson's. Slinging the fastball makes it harder to control for Bard. If Bard could bury the 2-seamer at the batter's knees, it would be a great pitch, but Wild Bard can't get the fastball down.


(hat tip to deconstruction for catching the delivery point of the changeup)

[Plympton91]

As I posted in the minor league thread, I can count on one finger the number of pitchers who lost 5 mph off their fastball, attributed it to mechanical problems, and ended up solving the mechanical problems rather than having surgery on their elbow or shoulder. Shut him down and get him an MRI with Dr. Andrews.

[Rudy Pemberton]

Sorry if I missed it, but what's the explanation for limiting Bard's minor league start to one inning?

[Infield Infidel]

They want him to pitch more frequently so his mechanics become more automatic. So he pitches an inning or two, and then he'll probably pitch again in a couple days. Then they'll stretch him out.

It seems like they'll go with short outings for a week or two, then a couple weeks stretching out. I wouldn't expect him back until after the ASB

[Rudy Pemberton]

Interesting. Thanks.