Chris Tillman Needs To Get Right

[Il BuonO]

I’ve cited this article before and I thought it was worth noting again. Chris Tillman may not be able to get back to his former self as a pitcher unless he can change his arm slot, which has noticeably changed.

But another explanation would be that Tillman’s shoulder did bother him, before, and it caused him to adjust his mechanics, presumably not on purpose. Shoulder discomfort might’ve led to an accidental arm-angle drop, which could’ve been an attempt to compensate for the pain, and when muscle memory gets re-wired, it can take time to fix it. So my best possible guess right now, if Tillman isn’t still injured: It seems like the injury changed his delivery. He’s throwing more from the side than from over the top, and that’s just not who Tillman has been. His whole approach is based around having more of an over-the-top delivery, and this isn’t working out.

Look at his arm slot in the video of 2016 compared to 2017. There’s a significant drop in his angle last season. Either he or someone else sees the change and they can work on getting him back to his previous arm slot or they choose to work on his command at the current position. It would seem he already tried this during the past season and it failed.

Can he get back to his previous arm slot without pain? Can he regain his form if he does? Not easy questions to answer, but the team’s risk should be low if they decide to roll the dice.

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/chris-tillman-aint-right/

[interloper]

Yeah, this is the article. I hope Dan and Buck have read this thing. He was obviously injured, I don't care what his velocity was. And apparently out of shape as well, which is a constant issue with Tillman, even when healthy. 

[esmd]

I don't think his shoulder is right.  He's had arm trouble on and off for the last few years.  My bet is he'll never be the same.

[interloper]

Spotting the difference in arm angle seems like a simple enough thing for professional baseball people to do, but this is the kind of thing I'm skeptical the Orioles are able to do. 

[Finisher]

My God why do so many people here want to gamble on Tillman? Just sign a Miggy or random other guy.

[interloper]

1 minute ago, Finisher said:

My God why do so many people here want to gamble on Tillman? Just sign a Miggy or random other guy.

I prefer he try to get right somewhere other than Baltimore.

[NashLumber]

Throwing at a new arm angle, that is an angle that is not his natural one and one that got him to the bigs and with confidence is not a recipe for success. He’d probably have better success at converting to a knuckleballer. And I say that with tongue in cheek, not seriously suggesting it. He’s been throwing a certain way since high school, if not childhood.  

[Il BuonO]

6 hours ago, Finisher said:

My God why do so many people here want to gamble on Tillman? Just sign a Miggy or random other guy.

Presenting an option the team may take does not mean I endorse that option. More likely they do make him some kind of offer because of the history. If that happens it should be low risk.

[Nevermore]

The article makes sense. The injury healed in such a way that he changed his delivery.  Either Tillman has to go back to his old delivery  (the one which may have resulted in his shoulder injury). Or else he needs to make adjustments to a new delivery. This will take a fair amount of time. If he's willing to pitch long relief or have some time in the minors while learning these adjustments,  he would be worth an incentive laden contract.  As a fan, I would like to see him back.

 

[Aristotelian]

6 hours ago, interloper said:

I prefer he try to get right somewhere other than Baltimore.

I would be OK with Norfolk where he can't do any damage.

[Redskins Rick]

I truly hope that he can regain his form, I know the sentiment is, goodbye dont let the know hit ya where the good Lord split you.

Sounds allot like when Jake left.

So Tilly goes to the Cubs, and they sort him out, and he is lights out.

Then we will have dozens of 200+ page threads about why didnt the Orioles keep him and fix him!

 

[Frobby]

I will root for Tillman whether he’s an Oriole or not.    Like most others, I’m concerned that he still may be injured, or has had some physiological change when his injury healed that has altered his release point and made him ineffective.   I hope that’s wrong and he bounces back.   

[AnythingO's]

I'm OK with Chris coming back on a make-good contract with sufficient incentives but I want it done now not in February after he fails to get a guaranteed contract elsewhere. I would want a detailed medical and mechanical study done, a prescribed physical therapy plan created, and the full off season to get the corrections or adjustments made. If it doesn't work out we minimize the risk/loss but if it does work out we have an effective #3.

[Tx Oriole]

19 minutes ago, AnythingO's said:

I'm OK with Chris coming back on a make-good contract with sufficient incentives but I want it done now not in February after he fails to get a guaranteed contract elsewhere. I would want a detailed medical and mechanical study done, a prescribed physical therapy plan created, and the full off season to get the corrections or adjustments made. If it doesn't work out we minimize the risk/loss but if it does work out we have an effective #3.

I prefer he pitch for another team. 

[theobird]

In my opinion, there is no reason not to bring Tillman back. He isn't going to cost much in guaranteed money. He will either get right and go back to being a very solid middle of the rotation starter, or he won't. But if he doesn't it will not be financially killer. To me anyway, its a no brainer.