Orioles don't like the cutter (part deuce) - Peterson speaks

[CanadianOriole]

It strikes me as odd to have an organizational philosophy that could result in a staff that over time all feature the same pitches. Wouldn't you want diversity of offerings in your pitchers in accordance with their individual strengths - rather than everyone being shoehorned in to the same approach regardless of what's worked for them over the course of their pitching lives?

[CA-ORIOLE]

It strikes me as odd to have an organizational philosophy that could result in a staff that over time all feature the same pitches. Wouldn't you want diversity of offerings in your pitchers in accordance with their individual strengths - rather than everyone being shoehorned in to the same approach regardless of what's worked for them over the course of their pitching lives?

I would like a strategy that offers the best opportunity for our pitchers to succeed at the ML level. Our most successful pitchers right now: Hammel, Chen, Gonzalez, Tillman basically throw the same variety of pitches. I'm guessing these acquisitions and refinements were by design. I don't see a problem with it.

[Scrat1]

I don't pretend to know anything about the development of pitchers and Peterson certainly has my confidence, but it still seems crazy to me to shelve a prospect's best pitch. I understood it when I thought they were just trying to get him to develop his change up and when I thought he was still throwing it in side sessions. This, though, I don't really understand. Guess I'll defer to the pros on this one.

[El Gordo]

If Bundy's best pitch is a cutter, then unless he is going to be a RP I don't think he'll be very successful at the ML level. I can't think of many SP who throw primarily cutters and get through 6-7 innings with that. Mo gets through one or two innings at most with his, and his is better than Bundy's, I'm pretty sure. If Bundy wants to succeed then his best pitch better become his FB.

[Can_of_corn]

If Bundy's best pitch is a cutter, then unless he is going to be a RP I don't think he'll be very successful at the ML level. I can't think of many SP who throw primarily cutters and get through 6-7 innings with that. Mo gets through one or two innings at most with his, and his is better than Bundy's, I'm pretty sure. If Bundy wants to succeed then his best pitch better become his FB.

Riveria is the only MLB pitcher I know that that throws primarily cutters. Just because a certain pitch is better then the others doesn't mean it gets thrown a majority of the time. Does Cole Hammels or Johan Santana throw more change ups then fastballs?

Your post makes no sense.

[WEAVERMAN]

Becoming a free agent as soon as possible seems a lot more likely since we've taken away his favorite pitch for good. I know he and his father already aren't happy about it.

How do you know this information? If you have answered already, thanks in advance.

[gmelson26]

Does anyone know what Jim Palmer's thoughts are on this?

[byrdz]

I guess ole Rick is crazy as well. The entire industry is laughing at him right now as we speak.

[Pickles]

I guess ole Rick is crazy as well. The entire industry is laughing at him right now as we speak.

Saracasm, I take it?

[SilentJames]

I guess ole Rick is crazy as well. The entire industry is laughing at him right now as we speak.

The entire industry had us winning only 69 games this year, tops.

[Tryptamine]

Outsider looking in, but based on fans of various teams I've talked to, we all all seem to be unanimous in absolutely hating this decision. It's one thing to take it away while he works on his other pitches, but to take away his best pitch forever due to something as ridiculous as saying young pitchers don't need to throw cutters is something else. If they want to keep him from throwing it 30 times a game, I get that, but 10-15 times is completely reasonable.

[Mr Snuffleupagus]

Outsider looking in, but based on fans of various teams I've talked to, we all all seem to be unanimous in absolutely hating this decision. It's one thing to take it away while he works on his other pitches, but to take away his best pitch forever due to something as ridiculous as saying young pitchers don't need to throw cutters is something else. If they want to keep him from throwing it 30 times a game, I get that, but 10-15 times is completely reasonable.

Ah, yes, but "reasonable" based on what? Popular opinion? I think Peterson has made his case on this decision. Time will tell if it was a good one or not. I'm not going to pretend to know more about this then Rick Peterson, but I'm certainly not going side with "fans of other teams" over him either. The guy has seemingly saved Chris Tillman and turned a 27yr old journeyman into a ML starter. He gets the benefit of doubt for now.

[Pickles]

Outsider looking in, but based on fans of various teams I've talked to, we all all seem to be unanimous in absolutely hating this decision. It's one thing to take it away while he works on his other pitches, but to take away his best pitch forever due to something as ridiculous as saying young pitchers don't need to throw cutters is something else. If they want to keep him from throwing it 30 times a game, I get that, but 10-15 times is completely reasonable.

Well, I think you have to be a bit of two minds of this.

First, they've never said he can't throw it again. And frankly, if he gets the the MLs and wants to start throwing it again, how are they going to stop him?

Secondly, it's a matter of development. If they think he's better served to shelve it in the MiLs, then that isn't exactly a unique opinion on the development of a starter.

So, on the one hand, a dogmatic approach of no cutters ever, is likely the wrong one.

On the other hand, no cutters for a developing pitcher, is a lot more ambiguous.

[El Gordo]

The entire industry had us winning only 69 games this year, tops.

Well we haven't yet. Don't count your chickens. Our Pythag is about to reach critical mass and there will be a seismic readjustment coming.

[brianod]

It may be his best pitch to go along with a 96 mph fastball, but everything starts with the fastball. A 88 mph pitch off a 96 mph fastball is extremely effective in high school because High school hitters can't hit a 96 moh pitch. If throwing the cutter causes the fastball to go down to 91, how effective would a 88 mph change be built off a 91 mph fastball?