MLB Regular Season

kskboys

Well-Known Member
Messages
44,059
Reaction score
46,962
Believe me, I know. After game 4 of the World Series, the Astros never looked in his direction. Give him a 1 run lead and he closes it out. Give him a 4 run lead and he'll blow it. He drives me nuts.
Giles sent to the minors. He has a strong arm, he just doesn’t seem to fool anyone in crunch time.
Giles has what they call a "straight fastball". His fastball doesn't have any movement. At any other level, throwing 100 MPH is enough, but at the major league level, batters have such good hand-eye coordination that they can pick up the pitch and hit it if it doesn't move. You're better off throwing 93 w/ late movement.

Back a few years ago Astros had a kid hitting 105 on the gun. And he consistently got rocked. Even at that speed.

So, it's not about fooling anyone, it's the fact that his fastball doesn't move.
 

Tabascocat

Dexternjack
Messages
26,479
Reaction score
36,006
CowboysZone LOYAL Fan
Giles has what they call a "straight fastball". His fastball doesn't have any movement. At any other level, throwing 100 MPH is enough, but at the major league level, batters have such good hand-eye coordination that they can pick up the pitch and hit it if it doesn't move. You're better off throwing 93 w/ late movement.

Back a few years ago Astros had a kid hitting 105 on the gun. And he consistently got rocked. Even at that speed.

So, it's not about fooling anyone, it's the fact that his fastball doesn't move.

A lot of relievers have/had that problem. A 100mph fastball is plenty enough to be dominate with as long as he can locate his pitches even with a straight fastball. When he has neither movement nor location......we see guys like Giles and my arch nemesis......Armando Benitez :lmao2:

Even if a guy has a straight fastball, he better have a good slider and change-up to go with it to succeed. My Mets have the same problem with Familia, his FB isn't moving coupled with his inability to throw strikes :(
 

kskboys

Well-Known Member
Messages
44,059
Reaction score
46,962
A lot of relievers have/had that problem. A 100mph fastball is plenty enough to be dominate with as long as he can locate his pitches even with a straight fastball. When he has neither movement nor location......we see guys like Giles and my arch nemesis......Armando Benitez :lmao2:

Even if a guy has a straight fastball, he better have a good slider and change-up to go with it to succeed. My Mets have the same problem with Familia, his FB isn't moving coupled with his inability to throw strikes :(
No, it's really not, not at the MLB level. Brad Lidge had the same problem. He threw 97, but they hit it. No matter how good your other stuff is, the hitters can just sit on the fastball if it's hittable due to lack of movement.
 

Tabascocat

Dexternjack
Messages
26,479
Reaction score
36,006
CowboysZone LOYAL Fan
No, it's really not, not at the MLB level. Brad Lidge had the same problem. He threw 97, but they hit it. No matter how good your other stuff is, the hitters can just sit on the fastball if it's hittable due to lack of movement.

I guess you missed the part where I said you have to be able to locate(hit the corners) if it is only a straight fastball.
 

Trouty

Kellen Moore baby
Messages
31,526
Reaction score
80,467
Gosh, re-watching "61" on HBO right now, it's just taking me back to being 17 again and loving, adoring baseball.

Had to change my header. I adore Mickey Mantle. Have since I started watching baseball as a diehard when I was 12-13 and every great was compared to him out the gate, only to eventually disappoint and fall back down to earth. And now his reincarnate plays for my team, I am so blessed. Every fan of baseball, I don't care what market you are in, was mystified and awed by a Yankee at one point in time, everyone. For me, its always been Mantle. Ruth is a very, very close second (really stepping out on a limb there ;) )

I also adore Ty Cobb, and Al Stump is a pos who is hopefully rotting in hell the way he did him.
 

Vegas_Cowboy

Well-Known Member
Messages
5,148
Reaction score
7,343
No, it's really not, not at the MLB level. Brad Lidge had the same problem. He threw 97, but they hit it. No matter how good your other stuff is, the hitters can just sit on the fastball if it's hittable due to lack of movement.


This and Giles' Slider has been inconsistent at best. Not one of his fast balls reached 98 MPH the other night when he was yanked. If you only have one pitch to lean on, they're going to sit on it.
 

Nightman

Capologist
Messages
27,121
Reaction score
24,038
Garrett Richards out with TJ surgery. Stem cell treatment didn't work, whould'a thunkit!?

Next up on Wheel of DL, featuring the Anaheim Angels...
Your favorite...... Poo-holes

At least he hit 2 HRs last night....plus they have no DH all weekend
 

Trouty

Kellen Moore baby
Messages
31,526
Reaction score
80,467
You should be a little happy with poo-hole being put on the 10-day disabled list. :D
He also batted 5th, I repeat 5th, the other day. A huge step forward for the org. Arte must be steaming at that 30M aav going to a player that probably doesn't start on any team in the MLB other than ours

I still think we will be big players for Arenado or Machado, and a dark horse for Kershaw and Harper.
 
Top