Video analysis of Prior
OK, here's my very first diary. I hope people find it worth taking a look at. I ran across a link to this article over on the Cubs MLB board and thought it would be worth bringing to people's attention over here:
Carlos Gomez has broken up video of Prior's delivery as it's changed from 2001-2007 and found some clear differences that might explain some of his problems.
As there have been a couple of recent posts concerning Priors delivery past and present I thought this might be a useful addition. Not being very knowledgeable about the role of mechanics in pitching (other than to know that they play a significant role in a pitcher's success or failure) as others here are, I can't say that Gomez's conclusions are relevant. Comments would be appreciated.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Mark Prior sleeps with the fish
by BlueMike on Apr 18, 2007 12:17 PM CDT reply actions
HAHHA....might i add?
carlos gomez
by miltowncubbie on Apr 18, 2007 12:32 PM CDT reply actions
It is interesting.
Wow
by Old Style Heavy on Apr 18, 2007 12:39 PM CDT reply actions
Modesty compells me.
Naw, screw 'em
by eamuscatuli1881 on Apr 19, 2007 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Too bad
yea nice
Prior
by BlueMike on Apr 18, 2007 1:22 PM CDT reply actions
Great great find
I also wonder how the time to the plate impacts the Asian pitchers who actually have a hitch in their delivery. And i wonder how much time Maddux takes for delivery.
It was brought to my attention 3 years ago...
by MerigoldBowling on Apr 18, 2007 2:48 PM CDT reply actions
Hhhmmmmm....
#1. He seems to move his pitching arm much faster up to his head in the video from his USC days. Does this generate more 'whip' equating to more velocity? In the '07 clip he doesn't seem to do this. It's more of a straight line more than whipping action. The whipping action may lead to injury, and now he physically can't do it because he's possibly hurt.
#2.In the '07 clip when he plants his GS (glove side) foot down, he seems to torque his hips more than the USC clip, which is perfect. That hip torque alone will generate more velocity on a fastball. Maybe he's aware that he needs to torque his hips to compensate for that arm/elbow/shoulder, but that still isn't enough to get him above 90mph.
One other note, his confidence is really evident in his college days where he's aggressive and really attacking the batter. In the '07 clip he seems sort of meek up there.
I really think there's something wrong with that elbow. if it was mental you would think he'd realize this may be it for him and the he'd just say 'screw it' and go balls out, which would lead to his confidence coming back. But when there's truly something wrong, he isn't even able to go balls out to increase his confidence.
Man this post was too long. Sorry about that. There is just soooo much curiosity surrounding this guy.
Meatloaf
That goes along...
A good historical comp is Dizzy Dean, who as you can see by his stats was on a Hall of Fame trajectory before being seriously injured in the 1937 All-Star Game; coming back too soon, he altered his pitching motion and kept getting hurt. After '37 he was basically done, although he had a decent couple of part-time years for the Cubs after that.
You are right about #1
Who is the "Mark Prior" you speak of?
Interesting video. On a related note, the guys over at Cubscast recently re-posted an interview they conducted with a Dr. Mike Marshall, who had some pretty interesting things to say about The Employee's delivery.
I don't know anything about Dr. Marshall. To be honest, he comes off a little on the overbearing side, but if (for whatever reason) you're still interested in The Employee, it's worth a listen.
Here's a direct link to the Cubscast audio archives.

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