JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 8/21/2023

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Eh?

2:19

Why did we need to add the "Sweeper" pitch this year? Isn't it just a certain shape of slider? If we're adding a pitch for that, shouldn't we also add one for 12-6 curveball vs normal curveball? Or an? overhand vs 3/4 vs sidearm vs submarine release point fastball?

Ben Clemens

2:19

I'm kinda with you, to be honest, but I think it comes down to this

enough pitchers were throwing a sharp slider and a sweeping slider that the aggregates couldn't handle them

2:20

a lot of systems just called the sharp one a cutter, that's what I would have done

But I have been researching pitchers because their sliders looked weird, only to find that it was two sliders

And it's useful to have those split out, in my opinion

even if the name is a bit cheesy

Liam

2:20

My early guess for the (hopefully) upcoming mid pitcher article: braxton garrett

Ben Clemens

2:20

That article will come up as soon as I need to fill an empty day, haha

Nervous Flyball Pitcher

2:20

Re: Urias cutter, can you describe the process of pitchers adding a pitch? Sometimes it seems like guys add a sinker or sweeper at the drop of a hat, but I seldom hear about someone adding a changeup or curveball.

Ben Clemens

2:21

So, here's my mental hierarchy, with the caveat that I'm not in development or anything

The easiest pitches to add, it seems, are fastballs

so adding a 4-seamer or sinker if you predominantly throw the other one is largely a matter of seam orientation

and then some intent as well

but those are pretty easy things to teach. Same grip, same finish

the cutter that they're teaching a lot these days is similar; seems to have a very similar grip, just different finish

2:22

So with those, you can take a thing the player has done a lot over many years, not change much, and let him work with it

I get the sense that sweepers are similar in that it's a relatively simple grip/intent modification

changeups are HEAVILY based on feel and arm speed and a lot of stuff that isn't "oh just move the ball this way and do this with your finger"

so those are harder

I think curves are similar

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