Truth & Rumors > MLB
Bad mechanics slowing Joba's fastball?
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06:25 AM ET 03.31 | You were seduced by Joba Chamberlain's 100 mph fastball when he introduced himself in 2007 as the premier set-up man in baseball. The Yankee right-hander blew away the best hitters in the majors, and made them look ill against a slider with fangs. Remember that heat? Good. Because memories are all you have, since Chamberlain isn't going to be able to consistently fire 96- to 98-mph aspirins as a starter. "I think as we get into the summer, we might see some of that," manager Joe Girardi said yesterday of Chamberlain reaching 98 mph with the fastball. "But you are not going to see it [consistently], because he has to throw his fastball more than 12 times an inning or 10 times or eight times. That's pretty much true for all relievers. Starters who go to relievers jump a few miles an hour." Scouts who have watched Chamberlain this spring are puzzled with his lack of velocity. In his last outing against the Phillies, the fastball was clocked between 88 and 92 mph. He labored so much that one scout wondered if Chamberlain was healthy, or concerned that a shoulder problem that landed him on the DL last year was going to resurface. Another scout noticed Chamberlain slowing down as he was ready to uncork a pitch. The buzz word around the 23-year-old Chamberlain, who starts against the Reds today in Sarasota, has been "mechanics." Early, he wasn't over the pitching rubber enough. That was corrected by pitching coach Dave Eiland. Following each start, Chamberlain has mentioned he is working on mechanics and that the velocity will come.
Joba Chamberlain, AP
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Comments (1653) Add A Comment
He probably just stopped using steroids.
Rex Ryan
Total Comments (1248)
The weekly Joba's fastball isn't what it was story. The season starts soon then we'll see. Its a long season and no picther is going to throw 100 mph all the time. A pitcher will pick his spots to throw the heat. The only thing this article was correct about was that relievers pitch differently than starters. And so he doesn't blow the fastball by hitters in spring training, is it that important. Not worried.
safe@home
Total Comments (3027)
It's early...he'll be fine.
Organized Chaos
Total Comments (27791)
I'm so glad I'm not a Yankee fan.
Did anybody see the photos of A-Rod "gettin' it on" with himself in a mirror?
Whew! If I was a Yankee fan, I'd be embarrassed!
Rex Ryan
Total Comments (1248)
6 days before Opening Day having discussions about pitching mechanics isn't a good sign. I know that it is still Spring Training, but you want to have all these sorts of issues worked out by now.
Before everyone jumps about this still being Spring Training, the starting CF has been the talk around camp based on Spring Training and got his job because of Spring Training so Spring Training must mean something.
Schadenfreude -…
Total Comments (25204)
26 world championships, a beautiful new ball park, and brand new stacked rotation....whats to be embarrased over? Furthermore, what embarrases you about your favorite team?
M3ATPLOW
Total Comments (3650)
I'm so glad I'm not a Yankee fan.Did anybody see the photos of A-Rod "gettin' it on" with himself in a mirror?Whew! If I was a Yankee fan, I'd be embarrassed!
Doesnt seem like the yankees are worried about it as much as the media. I can certainly say though that I would be embarrassed if my name was Gunslinger and I spend my spare time looking at photos of Arod getting it on with himself. Pretty scary!
Whalers
Total Comments (1576)
I'm so glad I'm not a Yankee fan.Did anybody see the photos of A-Rod "gettin' it on" with himself in a mirror?Whew! If I was a Yankee fan, I'd be embarrassed!
Doesnt seem like the yankees are worried about it as much as the media. I can certainly say though that I would be embarrassed if my name was Gunslinger and I spend my spare time looking at photos of Arod getting it on with himself. Pretty scary!
Whalers
Total Comments (1576)
I think spring training means more for a hitter than a pitcher but in either case its just trying to get timing and fine tuning down. In April most teams only go with 4 starters anyway so he can be help out if it turns out to be an injury. Last season David Ortiz had a bad spring and a slow start to the season but he turned it on until the wrist injury. If your trying to win a spot on a team or as a starter spring is very important, otherwise not so much.
safe@home
Total Comments (3027)
It's funny how pitchers forget how to pitch....what a joke.......
HellAwaits!!
Total Comments (47867)
You were seduced by Joba Chamberlain's 100 mph fastball when he introduced himself in 2007 as the premier set-up man in baseball
"the premier set-up man" One more joke in the Jokeball TRs. I'm rolling with laughter.
Hf4life says lets go…
Latrobe , PA
Total Comments (967)
Not at all. How many hitters, even good ones have to change their stance contantly because they go into slumps and stop hitting. Its not that big of a deal. Thats why they have hitting and picthing coaches.
safe@home
Total Comments (3027)
He's off the HGH or streroids.
He'll be playing softball in 5 years for Goober's Tires 'N Oil in Nowhere, OK.
DanTheMan
Total Comments (2001)
Those coaches are mostly overrated.........comparing notes with fellow pitchers and hitters will usually do the trick.....but gotta justify these jobs I guess....
HellAwaits!!
Total Comments (47867)
Maybe so but really good hitting and pitching coaches are concidered gods because of their knowledge and what they can teach.
safe@home
Total Comments (3027)
Considered gods...what you smokin....???
HellAwaits!!
Total Comments (47867)
would that surprise anyone?
Dratcliff
Cincinnati , OH
Total Comments (193)
Goober's needs a good setup man, and somebody to unload the kegs...I think this would be a good fit.
Seriously though, Joba will be as fine as he has been. He's not the 2nd coming of Mariano like people had initially annointed him. He's gonna be mid 90s by mid-season. NY is just feeling the pressure I think, they've broken the bank and expect to win it all this year. It doesn't all ride on Joba's shoulders.
Powertrip
Total Comments (2832)
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