Loading ...Nice article at ESPN about Johnny Cueto:
I thought this was very interesting:
A study by Dr. Glenn Flesig — the head researcher for the American Sports Medicine Institute, home of noted athletic orthopedist Dr. James Andrews — determined that a pitcher’s size does not dictate fatigue.
“There was no difference between the short and tall groups regarding how much load there was on the elbow related to Tommy John injury risk nor on the shoulder related to rotator cuff risk,” wrote Fleisig in an e-mail. “The load stretching the front of the shoulder [related to front shoulder capsule injury risk] was actually less in the shorter group than taller group. Thus, the data does not support the theory that shorter pitchers produce greater loads [and injury risk] on their arms.”
You hear so much about the smaller guys hurting themselves by overthrowing, etc.
But THIS is what I love seeing:
More than likely, Cueto did not arrive in spring training camp in adequate shape, despite having pitched so much during the winter. These days, Cueto is not the spindly pitcher the Reds signed in 2004. Instead, he carries a slight paunch — the spoils of success.
It’s almost impossible to relate how difficult it is for a person who comes from a poor country to handle excess when it’s presented to them. But Cueto is making an effort to get in better shape.
Shortly after throwing a bullpen session this week, Cueto spent time with Reds trainers working out with a medicine ball. After they finished the exercise, Cueto ran up and down a hill near the playing fields.
“I see him working a little extra this year,” said former Reds pitcher Mario Soto, a roving instruction during the spring.
Part of that extra work includes the pantomiming with Price.
“We’re just trying to add some discipline, maintain a delivery and thought process throughout the course of an outing,” Price said. “What we want is a consistency and reliability to his pitches. The more effort he expends the more energy that he needs, and it will affect him throughout the course of a season. Sometimes he works too hard to throw hard.”
I really like that he’s working hard to get in better shape and I like what I’m hearing (not just on Cueto) from Price. Hopefully this is the year that Cueto has a full great season..how good would that be?
(Thanks to reader clarkwgriswold for pointing it out.)
That is a fantastic article. I actually logged on to email it to you guys. It’s always nice when a mainstream writer actually looks things up instead of just quoting conventional wisdom.
I’ve been away a for a few days, but I assume the logging on to comment thing is to help keep away certain unsavory element that frequents another blog on another site that RLN is now affiliated with. Anyhoo, I am the “old” JasonL, but whenever I actually have to sign up for something, I go with Jason461 (because you all care so much). It will be sad to watch my comment ranking sink though. C’est la vie.
I really, really like Bryan Price.
@Travis G.: Same here. From all the quotes he’s given, Pryce seems very articulate and knowledgeable. Hopefully, the Reds staff will get improved results on the field this season.
I wasn’t totally on board with the Price hiring at the time, but from everything I have read, I really like what he is doing. It sounds like he is much more involved with the pitchers in all facets than Dick Pole ever was. Maybe, it’s just because he is new, but it really sounds like a different style than we have seen with the Reds.
I’m happy to hear Cueto is growing up too. With all these young guys, all coming together, it could be a very good year. At least we can hope!
@BJ Ruble: I agree on the Price signing. I was a little worried because I thought the hitting coach needed to be canned moreso than the pitching coach. That being said, I like what I’m seeing. Hopefully, he can get Owings straightened out. He had a 2-1 K to BB rate at Arizona. Last year it was about 1-1. If Price can turn him around that would be quite a feat. You start to wonder though which pitchers might end up getting traded if they all keep pitching so well!
I never really thought of the Diamondbacks as a powerhouse pitching club. But maybe it had more to do with the talent he was working with. Price interests me. He seems to be very engaged with all the pitchers (where does he find the time). The Reds are full of talent. Perhaps he brings the spit and polish.
@Jason461: Good to know that it’s really you, JasonL.
The Cueto article is excellent. We haven’t had a pitching coach with Price’s level of involvement for a long time. Whether it helps much remains to be seen, but I like him already.
Things always sound wonderful in the spring, and the new guy usually gets the benefit of a few puff pieces, but there really seems to be some substance to Price and the work he is doing. I am cautiously optimistic at this point (the last few years make it hard to be much more than that).
IF Price will get off his butt and walk to the mound when his young pitcher is struggling…I’ll be happy. That would be a lot more than Coach Pole did.
Yeah Bill, you’re right, Dick Pole didn’t burn up many calories doing the game.