Comments on: Whither the Walk

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 02 May 2012 00:04:33 +0000

What’s with the conspiracy theories? You don’t think teams keep an eye on young prospects who had been suspended for an alchohol incident a few weeks before the season ended?

By: pitch and hit

pitch and hit — Tue, 01 May 2012 23:31:47 +0000

I read it and refrain from an answer to the article as I believe much of what is stated often times in articles by organizations is smoke and mirrors for reasons other than what we really know (not that I know the real reason).

I have never heard of a team visiting their players in the off season, did they visit anyone else, usually they have camps, where they can check up on their young players.

Just curious about what weightgate (is that your term) was really all about.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 01 May 2012 23:05:45 +0000

It was an article during Spring Training about the Cardinals being concerned that Miller had lost so much weight over the off season. He was on a fat reduction diet/workout program but the organization was concerned that being that lean would mean that by the end of the season he would be losing muscle because of the grind rather than losing fat. Thought this would hurt his stamina long term this season. Each group of players got a special workout program i.e. those that needed to lose fat, those that needed to gain muscle, those that needed to add flexibility.

Miller had lot a ton of weight and when an organization visited him torward the end of the winter they were immediately concerned and had him start eating more to try to gain some weight back. The article mentioned that players not adhering to the program would be known to Higher Ups.

It wasn’t that they wanted to check on if he was working out properly just in the regular visit they found he had lost too much weight. I’m suprised you didn’t read the article when it came out in March. It was mentioned by Lilligquist during a Spring interview and it lead Miller to tweet, I’ve been told I need to eat more Twinkies.

By: pitch and hit

pitch and hit — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:53:07 +0000

What was the weightgate scandal? Is this something you know or you heard? Have you ever seen that weight/worrkout program? Is this something you know for a fact?

They cannot tell you what you can or cannot do in the off season, no matter what they have invested in a player. They can (but they don’t) like many teams do, have winter camps, where they can call in players to see how they are doing. I don’t think they would go take a visit unless they felt there was a problem. Do you?

They may have very well had a specific reason for going to visit Miller. Why does an organization have to drop in on a normal healthy 21 year old to see if he is working out properly?

The players union protects ML players from management telling them what they can and can’t do in the off season, not sure about milb players.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:21:40 +0000

That’s probably not a smart philosophy for someone you invested 3.1 million dollars into. The Cardinals are majorly invested in Miller.

I don’t buy that last line. We know that from the weightgate scandal. We know that there was a workout program that players were to adhere to and if they didn’t the people at the Top of the food chain Mo, Matheny, Lilliquist, DeWitt were informed.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:16:52 +0000

If he were where now?

By: pitch and hit

pitch and hit — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:08:22 +0000

Do you think that if he were there now he would dominate?

By: pitch and hit

pitch and hit — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:05:19 +0000

I thought that he had a lot to learn, obviously he could have benefited from working with Martinez. I think that they want him with more mature players.

The thing is there are no requirements as to what you have to do. The way it’s looked upon, you are your own best advocate, if you want extra help with batting or pitching, no one will turn you away, but then again no one penalizes you if you don’t show up. The same goes for the off season.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:04:41 +0000

What else did he have to do in AA? He dominated the Texas League. I don’t think it’s really smart that the organization asks the pitchers what they want to throw. Say hey work on this pitch. Every starter needs a change up. Ok 20 changeups a game like Rosenthal last year. We have one of the best cutters in baseball in Chris Carpenter(a guy who likes to teach others) done work on this cutter during games. Want to run it in on the batter here hold the fastball across these seams to game the right handers.

He doesn’t have to have perfected it just has to be willing to throw it in game situations. If he’s not the pitches should be called from the bench for the pitchers own good.

Maybe the Cardinals need a Crash Davis for Miller.

By: pitch and hit

pitch and hit — Tue, 01 May 2012 21:57:42 +0000

Beginning of season pitchers are asked (all organizations) what pitches they would like to further develop. Most only get one or two (if they think they can handle it). Many guys use the off season to work on them or their bull pen sessions. Keep in mind that many ML guys are still working on a 3rd or 4th pitch.
What we propose or think that he should to do is easier said than done. It takes a very long time for a young pitcher to develop his arsenal, that is usually why the cards always took college pitchers and one reason why I do not understand why he is in AAA, for now.