The sabermetric community has been abuzz the last few days with attempts to explain the collapse of Chien-Ming Wang. Driveline Mechanics did some interesting work and found that Wang’s velocity and movement are down:
When his velocity was up near 92, he was recording outs without a problem. When it dipped even just a few MPH, he was getting crushed. It reinforces the idea that very small percentage changes make a big difference in baseball.
The major difference in velocity and movement would concern me greatly if I was someone in the Yankees front office. This has all the signs of a “cascade” injury, where the initial injury to Wang’s foot has caused altered mechanics up the line or has exposed a lack of fitness elsewhere. Look for Wang to go on the 15-day disabled list, if only for his complete ineffectiveness.
Interestingly enough, they did an examination of Wang’s 2008 mechanics last year and loved what they saw:
Arm Action: Good. He sweeps his arms down, back, and out in a pendulum swing. His arm is up at footstrike, and he keeps the elbow below the PAS shoulder. He avoids excessive reverse rotation, and naturally “scap loads,” rather than forcing the issue. However, he does show the ball to CF/2b, which I don’t like, as stated before. Otherwise, very good.
Tempo: Great. 19 frames to footplant from maximal leg lift.
Ball Release: Excellent. Gets a ton of hip/torso separation (most important piece of velocity), points the PAS shoulder at the target, and powerfully throws with his whole body.
Followthrough: Excellent. Casual viewers will see what looks like gloveside flyout and not throwing against a firm front side, but it’s actually the opposite. Wang brings his chest to the glove and lets his arm travel across his body as his shoulders continue to rotate. He does indeed firm up the front side during the followthrough step, even tucking the elbow into his side to some degree (which I love). It’s only after his arm is about done with the followthrough step and into recovery where his GAS flies back, which I have no problem with. Furthermore, he aggressively brings his PAS leg up and to the side of his body, and though I’d like a bit more rotation, his great followthrough step compensates for it.
A pitcher with previously excellent mechanics is throwing with less velocity and decreased movement. I would say that a combination of rust and altered mechanics would likely be the cause for Wang’s awful start. The mechanical issue is confirmed by RAB, who found that:
In general, Wang’s throwing the ball from a spot about six inches higher this year than he did last year, no matter if you consider the good ‘08 Wang or the bad ‘08 Wang.
This is something that needs to be worked out in the bullpen rather than during games. The Yankees should skip Wang’s next start and work to improve his mechanics over the next ten days. Hopefully they can get him straightened out by the time his slot in the rotation comes up again.
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If Joe Giarardi starts Wang against Beckett on friday he should be fired. I am sorry I dont see how this gy can compete in the American League where every team is a good offensive team. What I saw Saturday made me sick and there is no excuse for Wang to pitch that way. I would rather put Hughes in the five spot in the rotation there is no way he can be any worse. Wang is holding this team back they had atwo run lead and could have won that game staurday and thus the series. I am sorry I now it sounds cold but this team and the fans derserve ebtter-Yanks are 7-6 and not a lot has gone right-soon AROD will be back in the lineup and if Hughes is ready then lets put him in the rotation. At some pint you have to be mentally tough enough to win without your best stuff and I never thought wang mentaly tough a la 2007 playoffs mryankee(Quote)
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
April 20th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I agree that they shouldn’t let Wang make his next start. However, the whole mentally tough thing is ridiculous. He was mentally tough enough to pitch with an under 4 ERA in the AL East and win 19 games. He also pitched well in the 2005 and 2006 playoffs. One bad postseason and three bad starts means he is not mentally tough. I think that is silly. And Wang has won without his best stuff all the time. You dont put up ERA’s lower than 4 in that division without being able to pitch without your stuff being perfect. Moshe Mandel(Quote)
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Are we sure the foot is 100%? He walks almost gingerly on it.
Nothing obvious but he walks very slowly. Leftylarry(Quote)
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
April 20th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Lol. In fact, now that you mention it, he should go to the DL. Immediately. Moshe Mandel(Quote)
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