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October 26, 2012

Raising Aces

Pitchology, Final Exam

by Doug Thorburn

We’re reached the culmination of the baseball season, having nearly consumed the 2012 textbook, and it’s time to test our knowledge. So let us begin the Final Exam for our Pitchology class.

We have covered a multitude of topics this semester, including mechanics, stuff, and injuries. We have studied a combination of case studies, player comparisons, and some of the theoretical concepts that underlie the mystery of pitching. Please refer to your notes and/or the textbook as you take the exam.

Exams will be graded on a curve from 20-80. Any questions will be handled during office hours in the comment section. Good luck. (The answer key can be found in the first comment.)

1. Which of the following is an advantage of a deep release point?

A) increased perceived velocity
B) less time for air drag
C) later movement on breaking pitches
D) all of the above
E) A & B only

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23 comments have been left for this article.

BP Comment Quick Links

code of conduct

Doug Thorburn

BP staff

Here is the answer key to the final exam:

D-B-D-C-E-A-A-E-C-A-B-B-C-D-B-D-A-A-D-E

Oct 26, 2012 02:18 AM

Ric Size

Great series, Doug!

Matt Moore.

Oct 26, 2012 06:08 AM

rating: 0

FrankL

I received a passing grade (on a 20-100 scale). Barely. Next series I must show more #want and pay greater attention.

Small wonder I was a mediocre pitcher with a short-lived arm.

Great series, Doug. As with many thing baseball, wish I knew this "stuff" years ago.

Oct 26, 2012 06:32 AM

rating: -1

FrankL

Free analysis: Shohei Otani or Dylan Bundy. If you do not have sufficient video, Justin Masterson. Thanks!

Oct 26, 2012 06:49 AM

rating: 0

bhalpern

Josh Collementer please.

Oct 26, 2012 07:21 AM

rating: 0

crile2

strasberg at the start of the year and right before they shut him down to see if there was a change or daniel bard

Oct 26, 2012 07:25 AM

rating: 2

ddriver80

Didn't do too well myself on this.

My thoughts on a pitcher was Casey Janssen.

Oct 26, 2012 07:50 AM

rating: 1

timber

Oct 26, 2012 08:31 AM

rating: 1

Peter Benedict

I'd very much enjoy seeing some pitching evaluation on historical pitchers. Randy Johnson would be a fun read for me.

Oct 26, 2012 09:25 AM

rating: 5

BillJohnson

Agreed. So many of the usual characteristics of pitchers don't seem to apply with this guy, it would be very interesting to see whether he really did have unique mechanics, or classical (great) mechanics disguised by a super-weird body.

Oct 26, 2012 11:45 AM

rating: 0

Doug Thorburn

BP staff

Genius idea, Peter, and I'm stealing it

Oct 27, 2012 23:20 PM

Nick J

9/20. Ouch! How about Lincecum now vs. Cy Young years (or alternatively, his performance out of the bullpen in the playoffs vs. his starts this year)?

Oct 26, 2012 10:15 AM

rating: 0

BobcatBaseball

I would enjoy seeing an evaluation of Tyler Clippard.

Oct 26, 2012 11:08 AM

rating: 1

SteveWhite

Jeff Samardzija

Oct 26, 2012 11:22 AM

rating: 0

Karl Hungus

So many pitchers. I like the idea of Smardjza, and Bundy, but the pitcher that is driving me insane is Trevor Bauer. I can't figure out what is happening, if it is mechanical or make up. Or both. This series was great. Thanks for all of your work.

Oct 26, 2012 12:45 PM

rating: 0

Doug Thorburn

BP staff

Looks like somebody missed class last week

Oct 27, 2012 23:07 PM

amazin_mess

R. A. Dickey

Oct 26, 2012 13:43 PM

rating: 0

Doug Thorburn

BP staff

He's an interesting one, and I actually wrote about Dickey back in June.

What an awesome story.

Oct 27, 2012 23:10 PM

William Burke

BP staff

Mark Buehrle... smoke 'n mirrors and excellent health!

Oct 26, 2012 14:41 PM

Doug Thorburn

BP staff

Good one.

We should nickname him "Q&E" - describes his pace as well as his mechanics.

Oct 27, 2012 23:20 PM

Peter Ellwood

I missed 5, 7, 9, 14, and 19. Not sure where 75% correct grades out. Probably a 50. Maybe a 55.

Looking forward to many more Raising Aces in the future. This year was excellent.

Oct 26, 2012 14:57 PM

rating: 0

dantroy

15/20.

I like old/new comparisons. Say, Cy Young era Zito with bad Zito. Fister and McCarthy, too, who've found success by changing approaches.

Thanks for all of the great articles this season, Doug!

Oct 26, 2012 22:32 PM

rating: 0

Doug Thorburn

BP staff

Thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions, and look forward to seeing many of these over the off-season.

I am stoked on the idea of looking at some of the greats of the previous generation to breakdown why they were so good. The fascinating thing is that, even though guys like Randy and Pedro appear to be completely different, they actually share a ton of mechanical similarities.

PS Randy Johnson's Mechanics Report Card is almost perfect.

Oct 27, 2012 23:15 PM

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<< Previous Article

Collateral Damage Dail... (10/26)

<< Previous Column

Raising Aces: Bush Lea... (10/19)

Next Column >>

Raising Aces: The Good... (11/02)

Next Article >>

Young and on Their Way (10/26)

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