Peavy Has New Weapon
Peavy Has New Weapon
Both Kman and I are closet Padres fans and were in attendance for Padres’ pitcher Jake Peavy’s start for team USA vs. Canada at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Both of us were impressed to see how dialed in he was and the velocity on his fastball at that stage (so early on) in the season. It seems that the WBC does benefit pitchers after all, according to Buster Olney today at ESPN. Team USA’s pitching coach, Mel Stottlemyre (the same Mel Stottlemyre who refined Mariano Rivera’s cut fastball), taught Jake a new grip for his cutter. Apparently it has proven to be more than effective.
“His cutter has been wicked,” said Towers. “The other day, he used it against left-handed hitters. He was facing Jack Cust and Jason Giambi and he threw back-door cutters, and they had no chance. It moves so much that left-handed hitters just have to guess against it.”
In 14 scoreless innings for the Padres this spring, Peavy struck out 10 batters, walked zero and allowed just seven hits.
Could this be a Jake Peavy rennaissance year? Stay tuned to find out – it is at least one reason to watch Padres baseball this year.
April 3, 2009
Nice find. Dipping into my pre-WBC post
“MLB right handed batters looked like Mendoza vs Peavy in each of the past two seasons (.174 & .194 batting averages). Far from excelling, lefties did post better BA’s of .242 & .263 over the same stretch.”
If Peavy can now truly control left-handers he should have the best season of his career in 2009.
April 5, 2009
What are the Chances of the Jays trying to pry Peavy out of San Diego by the Trade Deadline to give Doc Some help?lol
April 5, 2009
Wow, imagine a starting 5 in ’10 of Halladay, Peavy, McGowan, Marcum and Cecil? It will never happen but if that isn’t enough to pack the Rogers Centre full I don’t know what is.