Comments on: Cardinals Sign Nicaraguan RHP Ronald Medrano

By: illinoiscardinalfan

illinoiscardinalfan — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:02:35 +0000

Lou,

Thanks for the article. It does leave a lot of unanswered questions. We always hear scouting reports that say stuff like could add a couple a miles to the fastball as he fills out. I wonder if clubs actually have any data to back that idea up?

By: T-Bird

T-Bird — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:00:04 +0000

There are variables unaccounted for in the article, which you correctly address. Velocity is individualized, and while there may be some discernible trend attributable to age, will vary on a case-by-case basis. There may be a mechanical adjustment which will increase velocity. Medrano has decent arm action, but is not as loose and free as might hint at a big jump later on. Another factor will be his physical development. He has long limbs which could point to a few more inches as well.

By: Lou Schuler

Lou Schuler — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:07:02 +0000

This article at Fangraphs suggests it starts right away for MLB starters, in the aggregate. It looks like velocity declines for every age past 21:

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/pitcher-aging-curves-starters-and-relievers/

Interestingly, reliever velocity bumps up a bit in the mid-20s. I didn’t read the article carefully, so it may explain that. My guess is that the relievers who gain mph are former starters who crank it up in the bullpen.

None of which answers your question. All we know is that velocity seems to decline past age 21. Is that actually when it peaks? Or could it be that 21-year-old pitchers who reach the majors typically have big heat? If that’s the case, then maybe it just looks like velocity declines, but in reality there are more older pitchers, with on average less velocity, and there’s no way to tell from this data whether any individual pitcher is gaining, losing, or maintaining his fastball.

By: illinoiscardinalfan

illinoiscardinalfan — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:43:44 +0000

At what age does the fastball stop improving? I’m sure there is some individual variance, and I realize that velocity can sometimes be improved through better mechanics, but does anybody know if there is there an approximate age when pitchers generally reach their maximum velocity? Or is there a range that it will improve after a certain age?

By: Old randy

Old randy — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:00:49 +0000

The missing piece

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:47:47 +0000

Yea a lefty named Erick Hurtado, but failed a PED test and we voided his contract too.

By: VolsnCards5

VolsnCards5 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:13:43 +0000

Didn’t we sign another pitcher at the same time we signed Serrano?

By: Bigjawnmize

Bigjawnmize — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:36:19 +0000

Eh all fastballs in the videos. Pretty poor videos for scouting. From the side he looks pretty good timing-wise. From the front he is pitching across his body a bit (landing the front foot towards third and coming over his leg). Not a horrible example of this, needs some correction. It would help with him losing the ball off to his arm-side. Overall decent young pitcher mechanics that need some tweeks.

One thing I would want to see him do is finish every pitch with mechanically the same follow-thru no matter the effort.