Hey all,
There’s something I’d like to do this upcoming season and I would like your help. If you go to a game this year to one of the Cardinal affiliates, we’d like to hear from you. This actually has been a standard practice but I just wanted to draw attention to it. You see, this site runs a lot on 2nd hand info from the internet, namely the experts–Jim Callis and the gang at BA, Kevin Goldstein and Bryan Smith at BP, John Sickels, Carlos Gomez, Deric McKamey, Mike Emeigh, and Derrick Goold of the PD are all guys we’ve either talked to or read after. I don’t get to go to a lot of games during the summer. The Cedar Rapids Kernels are part of the Midwest League and when the Swing are in town, I’ll go. A time or two I’ve made the trek to Davenport, but it’s about 2 hours away. Des Moines is the home of the Iowa Cubs of the Pacific Coast League, but Memphis just hasn’t fielded a team good enough to make me want to drive 2 hours to see them when they are here.
Anyway, what I’m getting at is if you go to a game, bring your camera. We can open up a Flickr account that we can share pics of the players at. Also, if you have a camcorder and know how to upload videos to Youtube or whatever, that would be fantastic. I happened to find a few there and have put them on my vodpod account. I’d like to add a ton more obviously, and if that’s something you’d like to see more of, pitch in. Phuture Phillies has found a way to upload draft videos to Youtube, if anyone knows how to do that or would like to do that, let me know.
I also know some of you who are ex-players or coaches for high school kids or what have you know a thing or two about mechanics. If we have the videos, maybe one of you can point out some of the pros and cons of a players mechanics. I know a few things myself, but don’t have the trained eye some of you do.
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erik
azruavatar
fewgoodcards
roarke49
theredbaaron
Really study the art of pitching as much as I can, I just couldnt apply what I saw with my own eyes to my self on the mound.
I dont agree that batting stances or swing finishes matter in a guys hitting….but it does matter in pitching in my eyes.
From the shoulder staying closed, to the elbow dropping below the shoulder, to the stiff front foot to shutting off the delivery…pitching mechanics is an art form almost like a golf swing…one little thing can turn everything into a mess
I guess that same can be said for hitting and timing, but I could never hit to save my life….pitching was always second nature.
Anyway, enough b.s…..I would love to help point out things if it helps…heck you can never have enough opinions and view points.
I must admit one thing, I do think hitting mech’s are overrated in terms of looking at on video, but after seeing Daryl Jones on video…I basically gave up all hope.
Haha.
“but Memphis just hasn’t fielded a team good enough to make me want to drive 2 hours to see them when they are here.”
Hey Erik, I bet you would go see Memphis if Rasmus was in AAA…….lol
Picklefork-
I don’t think your laugh at the end of that is necessary. That really is one of the worst swings I think I’ve ever seen.
I’ve been holding out hope for a breakout by Jones because I love his athleticism, but the more I’m forced to look at that swing, the less I believe it’s going to happen.
So last night I saw an interview with TLR where Tony compared Rasmus slightly to Pujols saying that he WILL get lots of playing time in ST and if he earns it like Pujols did he will keep getting more and could make the club. I think he is projecting the kid to be the opening day CF.
erik,
So you’re an Iowa guy too? I’m from Marshalltown. It’s good to see a knowledgable Cardinals fanbase outside of the St. Louis area! Principal Park (home of the I-Cubs) is about an hour away, and we take customers to games quite frequently. I’ve been to a few Swing games as well (now the River Bandits). I usually take a bunch of pictures, so I’ll be sure to send them somewhere so that we can load them on to this site.
I think it’s a great idea. I’m in Davenport and go to quite a few Swing (River Bandits) games as well as regular trips to I-Cubs and other Midwest League parks around the area (Peoria, Clinton, Burlington, etc.) After working in the minors for a few years (Astros and Mariners orgs. ) I kind of have a soft spot for minors league ball.
So who will be Rasmus’s Bobby Bonilla?
What washed up vet who had no reason to be on the team will come up lame and force the Cards hands?
Sadly I dont see one this year, it would have been Edmonds but now he is gone.
So I really dont see a scenario where Colby heads North with the big club.
But I dont think thats a bad thing, be safe, be cautious and no reason to start his arb clock when the season doesnt have much of a chance.
Plus I would like to see what Skip could do given 4 or 5 starts a week.
I am not a HS or college coach, but I was a pitching coach for three state champion youth teams and my son is a D1 pitcher. I think the Aaron Crow loop shows some very impressive mechanics for a 20 year old with a long lanky bocy. His wind-up delivery is very balanced and linear with good weight transfer and a nice finish. I have a minor concern that the way he whips his arm could potentially be somewhat stressful. Also, it looks like his slide step could use some work as I bet he loses pop on his FB since he doesn’t really load his back side particularly well.
Overall, a very repeatable delivery for a kid with a very nice arm.
TLR said not to take the analogy too far. It was on KSDK so you might be able to see it on their website if you really want the context but basically it seems like Edmonds was the Bonilla and that since there is no “proven” vet anymore it really is a free competition for the OF and it really wouldn’t surprise me to see any of the AAA bound guys make the big league club. If Mather outplays Barton do we give Barton back? If Rasmus outplays Ankiel or Duncan do we keep him up? It is all possible.
i want to keep barton for at least a couple of months to see what we have. this guy has been projected as a quality regular for a couple of years and has a decent power/speed combo. i still think he could make a dynamic 4th outfielder that is capable of playing all 3 positions, and i would hate to lose him before we can see what he can do.
I agree FGC, I am not advocating keeping Rasmus with the big league club but I am outlining examples of ways it could happen.
Jadey I’m from Davenport as well and I have to say I love going to Swing (River Bandits) games. It’s a great way to spend a summer evening. I especially can’t wait till my son starts getting excited to go down there. And of course we make a couple trips down to STL during the season.
hey check out the youtube video of luke gorsetts walk off homerun from nicaragua. just type in gorsetts walk off
Hey, saw that you linked to my site here. If you want help on this, it’s a pretty simple process. I’d be willing to help out, just drop me an email and I’ll explain it.
Speaking of videos, I put together one of Colby. I hope you guys like it. Go easy on me, it is my first video.
http://www.whiteyball.com
Swirls_AEPi, or anyone…Just let me know when you have photos. I have your email addresses from when you comment.
i’m from st. louis originally, o’fallon Mo to be exact. my wife’s from here. i don’t mind living here, i am outnumbered by cub fans 10-1. i do miss st. louis, though. maybe one day i’ll move back.
john-i added gorsett’s homer to the list. not the greatest quality but what the hey. the arrow takes you to the others videos
I live in Branson MO and go to Springfield games all the time, I could send some photos when the season starts.