Sarris: Trevor Bauer and better pitching through science

From SABR member Eno Sarris at FanGraphs on August 14, 2015:

Before anybody snarks about the quality of Trevor Bauer‘s pitching, and whether or not he’s good enough for us to value his thoughts on pitching, know that he’s fully aware of his limits, and was even before conceding six runs to the Yankees last night.

“I don’t throw hard enough. My pitches aren’t strikes often enough. My pitches aren’t consistent enough. I’d almost not rather be a pitcher than be a mediocre pitcher,” he admitted to me. (I had to tell him he was decidedly above-average when it came to whiffs and strikeouts, at least.)

But this is exactly what makes him well qualified to study the art of pitching. He isn’t blessed with a Felix Hernandez changeup, or Clayton Kershaw‘s command, or even teammate Corey Kluber‘s breaking ball. He knows that.

And so what brings him satisfaction? Studying pitching. Working hard to figure things out. Getting better, with the help of our best tools.

Read the full article here: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/trevor-bauer-towards-better-pitching-through-science/



Originally published: August 14, 2015. Last Updated: August 14, 2015.