Closer “Billy Wagner”:http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5536 said he’s working on a splitter, which will have the same effect as a change-up. He throws it with the same delivery and release point as his fastball, but with a different grip.
“I said all a long last year was a grind,’’ Wagner said. “I was throwing 20 pitches in an inning. This is to make me more efficient.’’
Wagner spoke with pitching coach Rick Peterson at the end of the season, but with the playoffs didn’t have the luxury of experimenting. He likes the feel of the pitch and said he is anxious to use it when the games start.
11 Comments
when i saw that. a bugs bunny episode came to mind. :-)
I’d love to see Ollie Perez to develop a split as well. Use is against righties. They would be guessing fastball, slider and splitter. Would really keep hitters on there heels
To Astoria (RE: Perez/split)
Sometimes when Perez gets in trouble it is when he falls behind in the count and has to come in with the fastball. I agree. If he has something else to throw, it would prevent hitters from sitting on the fastball.
A split for ollie? Really? I thought his trouble was command of his existing pitches. I’d rather he have full command of his pitches before he tinkes with a new one…. BTW John you do a great job with the blog, love the behind the scenes stuff that we dont usually get with the traditional reports, keep up the great work.
Hey John just curious howd todays practice go, anything interesting you can tell us that wont be in all the papers tomorrow??
Watch me paste this pathetic palooka with a powerful paralyzing perfect pachydermous percussion pitch.
I watched WAY too much Bugs Bunny as a child.
And as an adult.
heilman should try to develop this same pitch; it really would complement his change-up…
bcuster – not a bad thought. The change is great, another pitch could make him deadlier out of the pen.
To Ed (RE: Bugs): Seriously, can you really watch too much Bugs Bunny?
To Rich (RE: Practice): Great day here. Phil Humber and Jorge Sosa looked good throwing BP, but the pitchers are always ahead at this time. I think you’ll read about El Duque and Cliff Floyd tomorrow.
No, you can never watch too much Bugs Bunny John.
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