Wada facing an O's lineup today

[El Gordo]

Wada is pitching for MCC and Hammel for the O's, Interesting. Don't know who to root for here. Maybe Buck has this one rigged as well. O's hitters are to make Wada look like CY and give Buck an excuse to send Matusz to Norfolk? Roch seems convinced he goes on the DL and stays at extended ST to build up his arm. I wonder how long they can do that with him, and who he might replace when he is ready. Also looks like this decision effects whether Neshek stays in the pen. http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2012/04/wada-day.html

[Dipper9]

Wada is pitching for MCC and Hammel for the O's, Interesting. Don't know who to root for here. Maybe Buck has this one rigged as well. O's hitters are to make Wada look like CY and give Buck an excuse to send Matusz to Norfolk? Roch seems convinced he goes on the DL and stays at extended ST to build up his arm. I wonder how long they can do that with him, and who he might replace when he is ready. Also looks like this decision effects whether Neshek stays in the pen. http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2012/04/wada-day.html

Seems to me the Orioles are trying to buy time until they can find some way, ANY way, to get Gregg off this roster!

[El Gordo]

Seems to me the Orioles are trying to buy time until they can find some way, ANY way, to get Gregg off this roster!

Well if Wada goes on the DL, the pen looks like:
Gregg
Patton
Ayala
Strop
Lindstrom
JJ
That leaves room for one more. Neshek is my pick. If we can get rid of Gregg then maybe Wada slots as the long man, but Buck was pretty adamant that he didn't want Wada to have to make the adjustment to the bullpen along with the other things he has to adapt to.

[RZNJ]

Well if Wada goes on the DL, the pen looks like:
Gregg
Patton
Ayala
Strop
Lindstrom
JJ
That leaves room for one more. Neshek is my pick. If we can get rid of Gregg then maybe Wada slots as the long man, but Buck was pretty adamant that he didn't want Wada to have to make the adjustment to the bullpen along with the other things he has to adapt to.

Granted, he did say that, but even if Wada were to stay behind for two weeks, the problem barring an injury, will still exist. We have 5 starters with Wada on the outside looking in. You either have to knock one of the starters out (doesn't seem likely even after two weeks) or make Wada the long man.

[El Gordo]

Granted, he did say that, but even if Wada were to stay behind for two weeks, the problem barring an injury, will still exist. We have 5 starters with Wada on the outside looking in. You either have to knock one of the starters out (doesn't seem likely even after two weeks) or make Wada the long man.It's possible they could move one of Hammel or Hunter into that role, since they have prior experience in the pen. It will be intresting to see how many innings Wada goes today.

[RZNJ]

It's possible they could move one of Hammel or Hunter into that role, since they have prior experience in the pen. It will be intresting to see how many innings Wada goes today.

After one or two starts? I don't think that's a realistic possibility.

[El Gordo]

After one or two starts? I don't think that's a realistic possibility.It's quite pssible one or two starters get knocked out early . With no long man we will have to burn more RP's. It may be necessary to do that. The routine of the bullpen is a big change from the routine of a starter. If he goes to extended ST they will have to have Wada prepare for the pen. He is already stretched out enough to go 2-3 innings.

[RZNJ]

It's quite pssible one or two starters get knocked out early . With no long man we will have to burn more RP's. It may be necessary to do that. The routine of the bullpen is a big change from the routine of a starter. If he goes to extended ST they will have to have Wada prepare for the pen. He is already stretched out enough to go 2-3 innings.


The only reason Wada will stay back, is to build up more innings, which really doesn't make a lot of sense if he's going to be the long man, which is why I don't think he'll stay behind. How does one prepare to be in the bullpen as the long man, when you might not pitch for 7 days and you never know when it might be? You can't? There's no way to prepare for that. The only thing a starter needs to know, in order to go to the bullpen, is how long/short a time it takes him to warm up in the pen to be ready. If Wada goes to the bullpen, it will be a "learn on the job" experience. Since Wada likley pitches 4 or 5 innings today, and a long man seldom goes more than that, I see no reason to leave him behind to build up innings. I also don't see a scenario where he makes the rotation now or two weeks from now, unless Showalter really does not want to give Matusz a spot.

[WEAVERMAN]

Seems to me the Orioles are trying to buy time until they can find some way, ANY way, to get Gregg off this roster!

That sounds like a great plan.

[El Gordo]

The only reason Wada will stay back, is to build up more innings, which really doesn't make a lot of sense if he's going to be the long man, which is why I don't think he'll stay behind. How does one prepare to be in the bullpen as the long man, when you might not pitch for 7 days and you never know when it might be? You can't? There's no way to prepare for that. The only thing a starter needs to know, in order to go to the bullpen, is how long/short a time it takes him to warm up in the pen to be ready. If Wada goes to the bullpen, it will be a "learn on the job" experience. Since Wada likley pitches 4 or 5 innings today, and a long man seldom goes more than that, I see no reason to leave him behind to build up innings. I also don't see a scenario where he makes the rotation now or two weeks from now, unless Showalter really does not want to give Matusz a spot.Why do you suppose Roch seems certain he goes on the DL and Showalter doesn't want him ion the pen?

[RZNJ]

Wada has thrown two innings so far, allowing one gift hit and walking a batter. He's thrown 32 pitches, 20 for strikes. His fastball has topped out at 92 mph, and its touched 90 multiple times.

Jason Hammel has retired all nine batters he's faced, allowing only one ball out of the infield. He's thrown 29 pitches in three innings, 20 for strikes. His fastball is 92-93 mph.


From Roch's blog. Interesting. We know Hammel generally has been throwing 92-94 this spring. He's been clocked about the same today. The reports on Wada in Japan were that he topped out at 87-88. Earlier this spring he touched 90 and there was some skepticism. Today he touched 92 and 90. He must be feeling better and maybe trying to show somebody something. I assume it's the same gun being used for Hammel and Wada. The readings seem legit.

[RZNJ]

Why do you suppose Roch seems certain he goes on the DL and Showalter doesn't want him ion the pen?


I don't think Roch is certain. I think the feeling before spring was that Wada was a starter. His elbow problems and Matusz's pitching changed that. Buck also said Eveland and Simon were still in the running for starting spots a day before they were waived.

[OFFNY]

.
Yesterday, we had our own batters intentionally get picked off of first base.

Today, we have our own pitcher as our pitching opponent.

I mean really, why don't we just borrow a few players from the Tides have a split-squad scrimmage ???

[Frobby]

These games against college teams seem pretty useless. I'm glad Wada is pitching against the Orioles, he needs more work against a real lineup.

[El Gordo]

These games against college teams seem pretty useless. I'm glad Wada is pitching against the Orioles, he needs more work against a real lineup.Some may take exception with this characterization. Not me of course.

[dan-O]

These games against college teams seem pretty useless. I'm glad Wada is pitching against the Orioles, he needs more work against a real lineup.

Hammel just gave up 2 runs. Hmm. I suspect he's not really trying all that hard, though. At least I hope.

[33rdst]

JJ hit another HR, his fourth, off of Wada

[OFFNY]

JJ hit another HR, his fourth, off of Wada

As an O's fan, is that good for JJ, or bad for Wada ???

[33rdst]

As an O's fan, is that good for JJ, or bad for Wada ???


Orioles fan? Go Manatees BABY!!!!!!!

[Frobby]

Three tweets from Roch:


Wada was so efficient in 5th, he stayed on mound for 2 extra hitters. Done for day. 1 run, 5 hits (including Chavez triple), 1 walk, 2 Ks

got Wada for 75 pitches, 50 strikes, in 5 innings for SCF. Gregg has replaced Hammel for #orioles

Hammel throws 65 pitches, 43 for strikes, in 5 innings. He allows 2 runs, 3 hits, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, 1 WP

Buck's decision just got a little tougher.

[OFFNY]

Buck's decision just got a little tougher.

Good. There are two ways for his decision to get tougher. One is for them both to pitch well, and one is for them both to totally suck. I'm glad that it's the former.

[El Gordo]

Three tweets from Roch:



Buck's decision just got a little tougher.Very interesting. Well, they could keep him in the pen, send Matusz to Norfolk, or send him to extended ST to wait for someone in the rotation to falter. Or he could accept an assignment to Norfolk.

[Can_of_corn]

Wada has thrown two innings so far, allowing one gift hit and walking a batter. He's thrown 32 pitches, 20 for strikes. His fastball has topped out at 92 mph, and its touched 90 multiple times.

Jason Hammel has retired all nine batters he's faced, allowing only one ball out of the infield. He's thrown 29 pitches in three innings, 20 for strikes. His fastball is 92-93 mph.


From Roch's blog. Interesting. We know Hammel generally has been throwing 92-94 this spring. He's been clocked about the same today. The reports on Wada in Japan were that he topped out at 87-88. Earlier this spring he touched 90 and there was some skepticism. Today he touched 92 and 90. He must be feeling better and maybe trying to show somebody something. I assume it's the same gun being used for Hammel and Wada. The readings seem legit.

I do not buy that velocity from Wada. Three years of pitch data from him in Japan and his top velocity was 89.97. No way is he hitting 92.

Maybe Hammel is dialing it back throwing to college kids, maybe the O's are just feeding false information.

I was willing to accept him touching 90 in a short stint earlier. Not 92.

http://www.npbtracker.com/data/player.php?p_id=198

[RZNJ]

I do not buy that velocity from Wada. Three years of pitch data from him in Japan and his top velocity was 89.97. No way is he hitting 92.

Maybe Hammel is dialing it back throwing to college kids, maybe the O's are just feeding false information.

I was willing to accept him touching 90 in a short stint earlier. Not 92.

http://www.npbtracker.com/data/player.php?p_id=198


No problem. But even if the gun is 3mph fast, it's still good that he's upper 80's. I guess Hammel could be taking it easy.

[Can_of_corn]

No problem. But even if the gun is 3mph fast, it's still good that he's upper 80's. I guess Hammel could be taking it easy.

Honestly I am more concerned about his FB-Change speed differential then I am his FB velocity. I just do not like being purposefully mislead. Historically he is about 8 MPH slower with his Change, I would like to see it around 10.

[RZNJ]

Honestly I am more concerned about his FB-Change speed differential then I am his FB velocity. I just do not like being purposefully mislead. Historically he is about 8 MPH slower with his Change, I would like to see it around 10.

My point is that his elbow should be feeling good if he's around his normal velocity. That's all.

[Frobby]

Honestly I am more concerned about his FB-Change speed differential then I am his FB velocity. I just do not like being purposefully mislead. Historically he is about 8 MPH slower with his Change, I would like to see it around 10.

In what way do you think you are being purposefully mislead? If the gun is off, it's off, but no reason to suspect the O's are trying to mislead anyone about Wada's velocity.

To me, the main takeaway is he seems to be healthy and was effective, and is now stretched out to 5 IP. Whatever his velocity was.

[Can_of_corn]

My point is that his elbow should be feeling good if he's around his normal velocity. That's all.

I agree and I am certainly not annoyed with you in any fashion.

[Can_of_corn]

In what way do you think you are being purposefully mislead? If the gun is off, it's off, but no reason to suspect the O's are trying to mislead anyone about Wada's velocity.

To me, the main takeaway is he seems to be healthy and was effective, and is now stretched out to 5 IP. Whatever his velocity was.

Obfuscation is a valid battlefield tactic. Wada has not seen many ML hitters this spring and I would not put it past the Orioles to attempt to sow a bit of misinformation.

[Frobby]

Obfuscation is a valid battlefield tactic. Wada has not seen many ML hitters this spring and I would not put it past the Orioles to attempt to sow a bit of misinformation.

Let's assume the Orioles are "sowing misinformation." If they are doing it to mislead their competitors, rather than misleading the fan base, does it still bother you?

[33rdst]

Obfuscation is a valid battlefield tactic. Wada has not seen many ML hitters this spring and I would not put it past the Orioles to attempt to sow a bit of misinformation.

C'mon. Really????????? More likely somebody's radar gun wasn't calibrated properly.

[Can_of_corn]

Let's assume the Orioles are "sowing misinformation." If they are doing it to mislead their competitors, rather than misleading the fan base, does it still bother you?

A bit yeah. Wada's pitch data is readily available as is film of his starts. If they are doing it I don't think it will do them much good.


C'mon. Really?????????

So you have never seen an NFL injury report have you? Weaver didn't list Steve Stone as his DH back in the day? Teams do what they can to get an advantage. To me there is an overwhelming amount of evidence that Wada will not throw 92 MPH in a game situation and yet there are reports that he is.

[33rdst]

A bit yeah. Wada's pitch data is readily available as is film of his starts. If they are doing it I don't think it will do them much good.



So you have never seen an NFL injury report have you? Weaver didn't list Steve Stone as his DH back in the day? Teams do what they can to get an advantage. To me there is an overwhelming amount of evidence that Wada will not throw 92 MPH in a game situation and yet there are reports that he is.

Reports???? More likely someone's radar gun was miscalibrated and Roch "reported" the inaccurate reading.

[Can_of_corn]

Reports???? More likely someone's radar gun was miscalibrated and Roch "reported" the inaccurate reading.

Not saying it couldn't have been a "hot gun" but Hammel's readings were not abnormally high. Wada also touched 90 earlier this spring.

[Flosman]

Let's assume the Orioles are "sowing misinformation." If they are doing it to mislead their competitors, rather than misleading the fan base, does it still bother you?

How would we even be able to do this? Do we have the ability to jam the other teams radar guns? I think it would be very hard to trick other teams that a guy throws harder than he does, I do think you could have a guy dial it back a little to do the opposite.

[DrungoHazewood]

I do not buy that velocity from Wada. Three years of pitch data from him in Japan and his top velocity was 89.97. No way is he hitting 92.

Maybe Hammel is dialing it back throwing to college kids, maybe the O's are just feeding false information.

I was willing to accept him touching 90 in a short stint earlier. Not 92.

http://www.npbtracker.com/data/player.php?p_id=198

How do you know they calibrate Japanese radar guns the same as they do here? It's all where the gun picks up the ball, maybe the Japanese guns all measure near the plate. While it's odd that Wada is apparently cranking it up, it would be just as unusual if Hammel was suddenly throwing 4-5 mph slower.

[GoGoPower]

I do not buy that velocity from Wada. Three years of pitch data from him in Japan and his top velocity was 89.97. No way is he hitting 92.

Maybe Hammel is dialing it back throwing to college kids, maybe the O's are just feeding false information.

I was willing to accept him touching 90 in a short stint earlier. Not 92.

http://www.npbtracker.com/data/player.php?p_id=198

average (ˈav(ə)rij): Noun. The result obtained by adding several quantities together and then dividing this total by the number of quantities; the mean.

Averaging 89 MPH does not equal topping out at 89 MPH.

[Can_of_corn]

How do you know they calibrate Japanese radar guns the same as they do here? It's all where the gun picks up the ball, maybe the Japanese guns all measure near the plate. While it's odd that Wada is apparently cranking it up, it would be just as unusual if Hammel was suddenly throwing 4-5 mph slower.

I have not been hearing that Darvish's fastball has suddenly gained 3-4 MPH, or Chen's for that matter.

As for Hammel, he could have been dialing back today because of the competition or maybe Roch is being told what the readings are.

[OFFNY]

These games against college teams seem pretty useless. I'm glad Wada is pitching against the Orioles, he needs more work against a real lineup.

That's a very broad term, Frank. I wouldn't mind a game against Florida State or Georgia Tech. State College of Florida@ Manatee-Sarasota is a Division II junior college team.

[DrungoHazewood]

average (ˈav(ə)rij): Noun. The result obtained by adding several quantities together and then dividing this total by the number of quantities; the mean.

Averaging 89 MPH does not equal topping out at 89 MPH.

Drilling down into that NPB data it looks like he hit 92 several times last year, and was at 90-91 a handful of times in the starts I looked at. On June 29th he was at almost 91 on his 123rd pitch of the game.

[DrungoHazewood]

I have not been hearing that Darvish's fastball has suddenly gained 3-4 MPH, or Chen's for that matter.

As for Hammel, he could have been dialing back today because of the competition or maybe Roch is being told what the readings are.

I suppose. But I don't think it's that unusual for a guy who touched 91 in a bunch of starts (and 92 occasionally) last year to be throwing 92 in spring training this year.

[Can_of_corn]

average (ˈav(ə)rij): Noun. The result obtained by adding several quantities together and then dividing this total by the number of quantities; the mean.

Averaging 89 MPH does not equal topping out at 89 MPH.

July 27 2011

87.5 MPH Top velocity

http://www.npbtracker.com/data/velocity.php?team_id=6&pitcher_id=198&date=2011072706&action=Get+Chart

July 20 2011

87.5 Top velocity

http://www.npbtracker.com/data/velocity.php?team_id=6&pitcher_id=198&date=2011072006&action=Get+Chart

Considering that the 89.97 result evidently came in a relief appearance ( July 24 2011) I am still feeling pretty good about the numbers.

That high point is more then a full MPH above any of his other appearances (88.65). I have stated that 90 is believable, not 92.

[RZNJ]

I do not buy that velocity from Wada. Three years of pitch data from him in Japan and his top velocity was 89.97. No way is he hitting 92.

Maybe Hammel is dialing it back throwing to college kids, maybe the O's are just feeding false information.

I was willing to accept him touching 90 in a short stint earlier. Not 92.

http://www.npbtracker.com/data/player.php?p_id=198


Drilling down into that NPB data it looks like he hit 92 several times last year, and was at 90-91 a handful of times in the starts I looked at. On June 29th he was at almost 91 on his 123rd pitch of the game.


Are you guys both using the same source of information? Is someone not converting from metric correctly? Why do we have different numbers?

[Can_of_corn]

Are you guys both using the same source of information? Is someone not converting from metric correctly? Why do we have different numbers?

I am looking at a series of dots and it is labor intensive to go through each game's information. It is possible I am being a bit sloppy and missing some data points as I am multi-tasking.

I have been posting what I am using.

I still don't buy that he is legitimately hitting 92 on an accurate gun is game situations.

Anyway Wada's game isn't FB velocity, as I stated earlier I am more concerned with FB/change differential.

Edit- I may also be suffering a bit from conspiracy theory-ities do to the way they have been shielding Wada from other teams.

[Fan4Life]

Are you guys both using the same source of information? Is someone not converting from metric correctly? Why do we have different numbers?


Que Dice?

[crissfan172]

There is no acceptable reason for Brian Matusz to not be in the rotation. It's as simple as that.

[RZNJ]

I am looking at a series of dots and it is labor intensive to go through each game's information. It is possible I am being a bit sloppy and missing some data points as I am multi-tasking.

I have been posting what I am using.

I still don't buy that he is legitimately hitting 92 on an accurate gun is game situations.

Anyway Wada's game isn't FB velocity, as I stated earlier I am more concerned with FB/change differential.

Edit- I may also be suffering a bit from conspiracy theory-ities do to the way they have been shielding Wada from other teams.


You do trust the data you used, or you don't trust it? Or you just trust the lower readings?


Three years of pitch data from him in Japan and his top velocity was 89.97.


Is the above true or not?

[Can_of_corn]

Drilling down into that NPB data it looks like he hit 92 several times last year, and was at 90-91 a handful of times in the starts I looked at. On June 29th he was at almost 91 on his 123rd pitch of the game.

Can you give me the dates Drungo? I just re-checked last year and he topped out at 91.25 on July 13 by my numbers. He didn't go past 90.0 on any other pitch that game. The only other game I see him breaking 90 in last season was June 29th where he hit 90.65 but had a lot of pitches right around 90.

[Can_of_corn]

You do trust the data you used, or you don't trust it? Or you just trust the lower readings?


Three years of pitch data from him in Japan and his top velocity was 89.97.
Is the above true or not?

And I said I could have missed some data points. In the part you quoted.

I just rechecked and indeed the highest pitch I saw this time was 91.25. I just asked Drungo where he saw his 92 reading. If you go through it start by start there are very few pitches near 90.

[DrungoHazewood]

You do trust the data you used, or you don't trust it? Or you just trust the lower readings?


Three years of pitch data from him in Japan and his top velocity was 89.97.


Is the above true or not?

No. Not true. I'm not going to go back and dig through the data, but he was over 92 on at least two pitches I saw, and over 90 several times in the roughly half-dozen games I picked. Including over 90 on the 123rd pitch of his June 29th start.

[RZNJ]

And I said I could have missed some data points. In the part you quoted.

I just rechecked and indeed the highest pitch I saw this time was 91.25. I just asked Drungo where he saw his 92 reading. If you go through it start by start there are very few pitches near 90.

I realize that I'm nitpicking now, BUT you made it sound like you looked at 3 years of data. You never said that you looked at random games or selected games. Although I trust that you were being forthright, the way you stated your original information was misleading.

[DrungoHazewood]

And I said I could have missed some data points. In the part you quoted.

I just rechecked and indeed the highest pitch I saw this time was 91.25. I just asked Drungo where he saw his 92 reading. If you go through it start by start there are very few pitches near 90.

On 7/24 he threw three consecutive pitches between 91.5 and 92.5.

[Can_of_corn]

I realize that I'm nitpicking now, BUT you made it sound like you looked at 3 years of data. You never said that you looked at random games or selected games. Although I trust that you were being forthright, the way you stated your original information was misleading.


Very true, it was closer to I looked through three years of data and looked more closely at the average speeds.

You are correct, I wasn't accurate enough.

[CA-ORIOLE]

Drilling down into that NPB data it looks like he hit 92 several times last year, and was at 90-91 a handful of times in the starts I looked at. On June 29th he was at almost 91 on his 123rd pitch of the game.

From what I read about Darvish it sounds like he has multiple pitches including 3 (maybe more) fastball variations. I recall the Rangers were looking to scale that number down and were more concerned about his command. Might have some affect on his FB velocity.

edit: nevermind I though I saw Darvish mentioned here.

[Can_of_corn]

On 7/24 he threw three consecutive pitches between 91.5 and 92.5.

The 24th is a 19 pitch relief appearance. I will acquiescence that he can ramp it up into the low 90's in the pen.

This wasn't a relief appearance.

I obviously didn't frame my argument correctly today.

[DrungoHazewood]

The 24th is a 19 pitch relief appearance. I will acquiescence that he can ramp it up into the low 90's in the pen.

This wasn't a relief appearance.

I obviously didn't frame my argument correctly today.

Actually, it looks like that was the All Star Game. He might have been a little pumped up...

[Can_of_corn]

Actually, it looks like that was the All Star Game. He might have been a little pumped up...

All Star game does make more sense.

[Frobby]

All this obsession with velocity readings is pretty useless. Was Wada effective today, or not? If he wasn't hitting exactly 92, I don't care. He's clearly not throwing 85-87 as some had heard he did in Japan.

[DrungoHazewood]

All this obsession with velocity readings is pretty useless. Was Wada effective today, or not? If he wasn't hitting exactly 92, I don't care. He's clearly not throwing 85-87 as some had heard he did in Japan.

The main thing I care about is whether or not he's going to have to pitch in the majors with an 85 mph fastball or a 90-ish. The degree of difficulty in the former is pretty high. I'm more optimistic if he's throwing harder.