You don't have to 6' 5'' 210lbs to throw hard and to throw well.
Checkout this article about the UW ace.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002951437_lincecum25.html
Seadog
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SEADOG
I think you and I have always agreed on this--Glad to see you back
How are things with you?
I think you and I have always agreed on this--Glad to see you back
How are things with you?
TR,
I've been dealing with some serious issues none of which I'll go in to, but it is that time of year when the ball park draws me back.
I have had to many fond memories on this board to stay away to long.
Seadog
I've been dealing with some serious issues none of which I'll go in to, but it is that time of year when the ball park draws me back.
I have had to many fond memories on this board to stay away to long.
Seadog
All of you littler guys out there...read up!
Thanks for sharing SeaDog...I hope all goes well for you soon.
Thanks for sharing SeaDog...I hope all goes well for you soon.
Little guy, this guy is 6 feet tall. I posted a conversation I had with a scout about what he looks for, 6’+ and throws in the mid 90s. This guy fits that description.
I agree that size shouldn't matter, but the higher you go the more it DOES. I have a family friend who pitched for a D1 program, been to the College World Series several times, throws in the low 90s, good stuff, oh by the way, he 5'10". He is expecting to get his pink slip anytime now. He say's it very obvious that they only want 6' +.
I agree that size shouldn't matter, but the higher you go the more it DOES. I have a family friend who pitched for a D1 program, been to the College World Series several times, throws in the low 90s, good stuff, oh by the way, he 5'10". He is expecting to get his pink slip anytime now. He say's it very obvious that they only want 6' +.
obrady:
Perhaps they should re-think their approach?
Someone with common sense should have taken a risk and cut against the grain and offered this family friend of yours an opportunity.
Perhaps they should re-think their approach?
Someone with common sense should have taken a risk and cut against the grain and offered this family friend of yours an opportunity.
Remember the Benson and Hedges commercial--"just a silly millimeter longer" ? Height matters in everything, even cigarettes.
obrady: Sorry about your friend. Very disappointing.
obrady: Sorry about your friend. Very disappointing.
I was watching the Mets-Braves game last week when Pedro was going for win 200. They stated an amazing fact that since 1900 only 2 pitchers (might have been 3) under 6ft tall have been elected to the Hall of Fame. Assuming its correct that is unbelievable to me. They discussed it because Pedro is under 6ft tall and will most certainly be a Hall of Famer.
101, that’s incredible. This winter in the batting cages my son and I were having a conversation about pitches that could throw 100 +. He wanted to see how fast that is, set the machine at 100 mph, the expression on his face priceless.
This story is only surprising if you’ve been drinking a steady diet of the major league kool-aid, which of course most of us have. The pesky little fact is that the writer’s original premise – “Guys who hit 100 are generally overgrown, intimidating, mustachioed beasts” – is part of the folklore. Very, very few ever hit 100. Colon did early in his career, as well as Wagner. Both are under 6 feet and I guess they shaved their mustaches. And now we can add “little” Tim Lincecum to the 100 plus club. There are a bunch of smaller guys regularly in the mid to upper 90s. All you have to do is visit the MLB site and check the heights of some of the best, hardest-throwing guys in baseball. Oswalt, Hudson, Santana, Rodriquez, Martinez, Peavy, Harden, Shields, Kazmir, Zambrano, Hoffman, Gordon…
But as others have said, it is what it is and its not going to change any time soon. As far as I can tell, there are no studies, no surveys and no percentages that demonstrate that taller guys make better major league pitchers. But this is what scouts believe, and if they take a risk on a shorter guy who doesn’t work out they have nothing to hide behind. There are some enlightened souls like PG who has written persuasively on this subject, but he is the exception. For the 6” 1” and under crowd it’s just another obstacle on an already long and winding road.
But as others have said, it is what it is and its not going to change any time soon. As far as I can tell, there are no studies, no surveys and no percentages that demonstrate that taller guys make better major league pitchers. But this is what scouts believe, and if they take a risk on a shorter guy who doesn’t work out they have nothing to hide behind. There are some enlightened souls like PG who has written persuasively on this subject, but he is the exception. For the 6” 1” and under crowd it’s just another obstacle on an already long and winding road.
Nice story.
I'm a size guy. Would rather be 6'3" than 5'10".
For every guy under 6 feet that throws 94-96, there are 50 over 6 feet that do it.
I'm a size guy. Would rather be 6'3" than 5'10".
For every guy under 6 feet that throws 94-96, there are 50 over 6 feet that do it.
quote:Originally posted by BeenthereIL:
For every guy under 6 feet that throws 94-96, there are 50 over 6 feet that do it.
Sounds like more folklore. Can you prove it?
Diamond...
Gees, you're a Californian and you "question" that assertion?
I'm not into scientific studies. Just reality.
Watch MLB on tv and you'll get confirmation.
Gees, you're a Californian and you "question" that assertion?
I'm not into scientific studies. Just reality.
Watch MLB on tv and you'll get confirmation.
Last fall my 5'10" 165 lb. son passed on a couple opportunities to sign early with D1 schools. Although I was pretty nervous about his decision to do so, it turns out this was the best decision he could have made. He's been a very effective pitcher in Juco and now about 25 Division 1 and 2 schools are beating a path to his cell phone. Don't let the size thing get you down. If you're good you'll rise to the top and be seen. He's been Maple Woods top guy for the 2 years he's been there and is the smallest pitcher on the team out of a staff of 19.
quote:Originally posted by BeenthereIL:
Diamond...
Gees, you're a Californian and you "question" that assertion?
I'm not into scientific studies. Just reality.
Watch MLB on tv and you'll get confirmation.
Beenthere:
You’re a guy with strong convictions and I respect that. I know where you stand on this issue from previous posts. I suspect we could watch the same MLB games and reach different conclusions. That said, would you agree that the number of major league guys at any height sitting between 94 and 96 is surprisingly low? Relievers more often than starters. What I see are most major league starters cruising somewhere in the low 90s. Makes me wonder about the emphasis on velocity altogether. A lot of the best seem to be getting guys out with location, movement and good but not overpowering velocity.
Diamond,
You and I actually agree about many numbers, from a size and a velocity point of view.
I'm not sure about watching mlb and having different perspectives, but we sure can do that with high school players and college players and coaches.
Just saw Hairston, the potential tying run, steal 3rd in the 4th inning of the game with Jacque Jones at bat. Jacque is from SC, I believe and a left hander. Hairston was safe but a good throw, fielded cleanly would have had him out. Why would he steal with a lefthander up and the catcher's view open when he is the tying run? Even Ron Santo, on radio, was nonplussed.
These are the kinds of guys making millions in the big leagues and they don't know the fundamentals of the game. Earlier, Jones dove for a ball down the right field line and it went for a triple. 1st inning. If it drops, nothing, a single...as it was, it turned out to be a triple.
Way too many players, in my opinion, don't know the game. They have the physical skills to play the game, but there is so much more to baseball than physical skills.
They should test some of these high school and college kids that play baseball with the Wonderlic test and see if they could score more than 6.
Gees.
Bigger is better. Scouts think so. That is enough for me.
You and I actually agree about many numbers, from a size and a velocity point of view.
I'm not sure about watching mlb and having different perspectives, but we sure can do that with high school players and college players and coaches.
Just saw Hairston, the potential tying run, steal 3rd in the 4th inning of the game with Jacque Jones at bat. Jacque is from SC, I believe and a left hander. Hairston was safe but a good throw, fielded cleanly would have had him out. Why would he steal with a lefthander up and the catcher's view open when he is the tying run? Even Ron Santo, on radio, was nonplussed.
These are the kinds of guys making millions in the big leagues and they don't know the fundamentals of the game. Earlier, Jones dove for a ball down the right field line and it went for a triple. 1st inning. If it drops, nothing, a single...as it was, it turned out to be a triple.
Way too many players, in my opinion, don't know the game. They have the physical skills to play the game, but there is so much more to baseball than physical skills.
They should test some of these high school and college kids that play baseball with the Wonderlic test and see if they could score more than 6.
Gees.
Bigger is better. Scouts think so. That is enough for me.
Been:
Don't agree with you on the size issue, but do agree with you on the issue of many MLB players not knowing the game as well as they should.
Don't agree with you on the size issue, but do agree with you on the issue of many MLB players not knowing the game as well as they should.
Stature has always played a roll in the initial reaction of evaluating athletes.
The reason height plays a preferable quality for pitcher is the view that a batter gets of where the ball is released. The higher the release point (taller a pitcher) the more difficult it is for a bater to pick up the ball in relation to the trajectory in its downward movement.
That is the main reason that throwing sidearm gives the batter a better eye's view of the ball's release out of the pitcher's hand. The longer a batter can see the ball the better contact they can make with it.
The most ideal is a pitcher like Randy Johnson...if he threw more 12 to 6 he would be virtually impossible to hit.
It's not the speed that is important...movement and location are the best qualities of a good pitcher. If he can throw above 90 with movement and location he can be as good as Maddux. But if he can throw 90+ WITH MOVEMENT AND LOCATION AND IS 6' 9" AND THROWS 12 TO 6 HE CAN BE UNHITTABLE!!
The reason height plays a preferable quality for pitcher is the view that a batter gets of where the ball is released. The higher the release point (taller a pitcher) the more difficult it is for a bater to pick up the ball in relation to the trajectory in its downward movement.
That is the main reason that throwing sidearm gives the batter a better eye's view of the ball's release out of the pitcher's hand. The longer a batter can see the ball the better contact they can make with it.
The most ideal is a pitcher like Randy Johnson...if he threw more 12 to 6 he would be virtually impossible to hit.
It's not the speed that is important...movement and location are the best qualities of a good pitcher. If he can throw above 90 with movement and location he can be as good as Maddux. But if he can throw 90+ WITH MOVEMENT AND LOCATION AND IS 6' 9" AND THROWS 12 TO 6 HE CAN BE UNHITTABLE!!
RR
WRONG !!!!!
Nobody is unhittable !!!!
WRONG !!!!!
Nobody is unhittable !!!!
Size DOES MAtter
TR
UNHITTABLE in the sense that he is harder to hit than the short guy.
Compare Randy to Pedro and you can see that even though Randy doesn't really take full advantage of his height...he has been a better pitcher than Pedro. Randy has a FB, Slider, and kind of a changeup wthat he doesn't throw very often
Pedro uses more "stuff" as a pitcher, though he has a good FB.
Yes, no one is unhittable...it's a euphemism to describe a great pitcher.
UNHITTABLE in the sense that he is harder to hit than the short guy.
Compare Randy to Pedro and you can see that even though Randy doesn't really take full advantage of his height...he has been a better pitcher than Pedro. Randy has a FB, Slider, and kind of a changeup wthat he doesn't throw very often
Pedro uses more "stuff" as a pitcher, though he has a good FB.
Yes, no one is unhittable...it's a euphemism to describe a great pitcher.
quote:He's been Maple Woods top guy for the 2 years he's been there and is the smallest pitcher on the team out of a staff of 19.
Reggie, Good luck to your son. Sounds like he's on his way. I have also seen VERY effective pitchers at the college level, standing below 6 feet, also throwing above and below 90. A college pitchers height is much less important to the coach than their WHIP, GPA and ERA.
If you are 5-whatever and can stay eligible and hang up zero's, you will play in college. It's that simple. College pitching staffs are on the shallow side.The correlation of height and success is higher at the next level.
ramrod,
No, Pedro's career winning percentage is .705. Johnson's is .658. Pedro's career ERA is 2.72. Johnson's is 3.12.
I'm an old Mariners fan, and believe me, I remember when Johnson had the nickname "Mr. Snappy" (wild).
To make the assertion that Johnson is better just because he's taller is to say he's better because his eyes are bluer. They're both great pitchers and the height-reasoning is just an urban myth.
No, Pedro's career winning percentage is .705. Johnson's is .658. Pedro's career ERA is 2.72. Johnson's is 3.12.
I'm an old Mariners fan, and believe me, I remember when Johnson had the nickname "Mr. Snappy" (wild).
To make the assertion that Johnson is better just because he's taller is to say he's better because his eyes are bluer. They're both great pitchers and the height-reasoning is just an urban myth.
Can't WAIT til friday because our team is going to see him pitch against Arizona.
RR
If you dont mean unhittable then dont use the word---
As for Randy and Pedro Bum showed you the stats--I would take Pedro anytime in THE BIG GAME--he is a proven winner in the clutch
If you dont mean unhittable then dont use the word---
As for Randy and Pedro Bum showed you the stats--I would take Pedro anytime in THE BIG GAME--he is a proven winner in the clutch
Good Day All,
I'll throw in my 2 cents worth here as I have a perspective that is a bit unique. My son turned 16 in Feb. He is 6'5" ans 190 lbs and a lefty.
I was introduced to this site by the dad of two excellent baseball players here in NH. The older boy will graduate from Dartmouth in a few weeks and the younger one will start college in the fall.
The young son is 5'10" and 180 lbs and hits 90 on the radar gun. He is headed to a D1 school in the fall. He went thru all the high end showcases and has been seen by many scouts. One thing is absolutely clear! If he were my son's size, he would be headed to pro ball this summer or to any D1 program of his choosing in the fall.
While I agree that size does not determine how successful you wll be in this game, it has become very obvious that it is one of the factors that the professional level as well as the high end D1 programs are using to cull the herd as it were.
Check out the rosters for last years Aflac All American Classic, supposedly the top 38 HS players in country. Only 2 of them were under 6' tall.
In the majors, look at the physical size of guys played SS & 2B nowadays as compared to the guys of the 60's & 70's. you didnt see to many Alex Rodriguez or Derek Jeter types playing those positions back then.
The unfortunate truth is size does matter! If you are 5'11" and of equal ability when compared to a kid 6'4" or 6'5", you will lose out. Especially as the age of 18/19, where there people making these decisions are also looking at how much more you can improve. It may not be fair, but it is the way of things in the real world.
It does not mean that players under 6' cant compete in the game, just that you have to be of exceptional talent and drive in order to complete at the highest of levels.
I'll throw in my 2 cents worth here as I have a perspective that is a bit unique. My son turned 16 in Feb. He is 6'5" ans 190 lbs and a lefty.
I was introduced to this site by the dad of two excellent baseball players here in NH. The older boy will graduate from Dartmouth in a few weeks and the younger one will start college in the fall.
The young son is 5'10" and 180 lbs and hits 90 on the radar gun. He is headed to a D1 school in the fall. He went thru all the high end showcases and has been seen by many scouts. One thing is absolutely clear! If he were my son's size, he would be headed to pro ball this summer or to any D1 program of his choosing in the fall.
While I agree that size does not determine how successful you wll be in this game, it has become very obvious that it is one of the factors that the professional level as well as the high end D1 programs are using to cull the herd as it were.
Check out the rosters for last years Aflac All American Classic, supposedly the top 38 HS players in country. Only 2 of them were under 6' tall.
In the majors, look at the physical size of guys played SS & 2B nowadays as compared to the guys of the 60's & 70's. you didnt see to many Alex Rodriguez or Derek Jeter types playing those positions back then.
The unfortunate truth is size does matter! If you are 5'11" and of equal ability when compared to a kid 6'4" or 6'5", you will lose out. Especially as the age of 18/19, where there people making these decisions are also looking at how much more you can improve. It may not be fair, but it is the way of things in the real world.
It does not mean that players under 6' cant compete in the game, just that you have to be of exceptional talent and drive in order to complete at the highest of levels.
NHF:
Very well said...very concise.
Being the father of two sons under 6' who play baseball the situation is frustrating...but it is what it is.
I've heard the culling out explanation before and I do believe that what you say is the truth.
I also believe that the powers that be are making a mistake by arbitrarily eliminating those great players less than 6' tall...for culling purposes.
It's their loss ultimately. Logic alone can direct you to looking at shorter players...it stands to reason that some of the shorter players are indeed better players than some of the taller players.
It's just too bad that most all of the great, shorter players have to endure this.
Very well said...very concise.
Being the father of two sons under 6' who play baseball the situation is frustrating...but it is what it is.
I've heard the culling out explanation before and I do believe that what you say is the truth.
I also believe that the powers that be are making a mistake by arbitrarily eliminating those great players less than 6' tall...for culling purposes.
It's their loss ultimately. Logic alone can direct you to looking at shorter players...it stands to reason that some of the shorter players are indeed better players than some of the taller players.
It's just too bad that most all of the great, shorter players have to endure this.
TR & BUM
Take the winning % of the teams of both players and Randy is a better pitcher with a lot less talent behind him over his entire career versus Pedro.
Both are excellent pitchers, I just like taller pitchers because when looking at the overall history of MLB, taller pitchers have fared better.
Take the winning % of the teams of both players and Randy is a better pitcher with a lot less talent behind him over his entire career versus Pedro.
Both are excellent pitchers, I just like taller pitchers because when looking at the overall history of MLB, taller pitchers have fared better.
I like Pedro because of the "fire in his belly" plus he is not afraid to protect his batters
TPM:
Thanks for the link to that story.
He's successful in college, but isn't attracting any or much pro interest solely because of his short stature.
Still...I wish him the best.
Thanks for the link to that story.
He's successful in college, but isn't attracting any or much pro interest solely because of his short stature.
Still...I wish him the best.
Hello again,
I certainly wish all the yong men that have brought up here all the best.
The point of this thread though is in its title, "size does not matter". The simple truth is size does matter. While baseball is still probably the only sport where a player of smaller size can make a great impact, the trend ot bigger players in both inevitable and obvious.
In regard to the Randy Johnson Vs. Pedro debate a few posts back, I think your missing the point. It is not about which of them you take today knowing their respective abiities.
It IS about which of them would you take if they were both 18 and showed up at your university or your pro teams tryouts. (Remember, the Dodgers who first took Pedro were convinced that he would not hold up under the rigors of 33 starts a year in MLB)
As I stated in an early post, a young man who lives less than a mile from me would have been considered a pro prospect if he were bigger. He will have a creat career in college, i am convnced of that. He may even get a shot with a pro team as a free agent in a few years, but no one is going to use a top level draft pick on him.
I also know a young man here in NH who may be a very high draft pick in june. He is lefty who is listed at 6'2" and has hit the mid 90s on radar guns.
Both of these young men are outstanding players and high quality individuals, but the simple truth is one is going to be looked at by the pros and the other is barely on the screen.
Size does matter.
I certainly wish all the yong men that have brought up here all the best.
The point of this thread though is in its title, "size does not matter". The simple truth is size does matter. While baseball is still probably the only sport where a player of smaller size can make a great impact, the trend ot bigger players in both inevitable and obvious.
In regard to the Randy Johnson Vs. Pedro debate a few posts back, I think your missing the point. It is not about which of them you take today knowing their respective abiities.
It IS about which of them would you take if they were both 18 and showed up at your university or your pro teams tryouts. (Remember, the Dodgers who first took Pedro were convinced that he would not hold up under the rigors of 33 starts a year in MLB)
As I stated in an early post, a young man who lives less than a mile from me would have been considered a pro prospect if he were bigger. He will have a creat career in college, i am convnced of that. He may even get a shot with a pro team as a free agent in a few years, but no one is going to use a top level draft pick on him.
I also know a young man here in NH who may be a very high draft pick in june. He is lefty who is listed at 6'2" and has hit the mid 90s on radar guns.
Both of these young men are outstanding players and high quality individuals, but the simple truth is one is going to be looked at by the pros and the other is barely on the screen.
Size does matter.
TPM you beat me to the punch! I was just reading that article yesterday. It's a very nice human interest story but I think you'll agree that New Mexico is probably going to be his last hoo-rah? His change up may be devastating but when your FB tops out at 86...it's survivable in college but the pros would eat him alive. I commend this young man and wonder how many thousands of times he heard growing up "have you thought about 2nd base?"
Poptime,
Great minds think alike!
The posting of the article was a follow up on Dad04's comment.
There are some great, great college pitchers out there that can get the job done, over and under 6 ft, LH, RH, hitting 90 or not.
Size matters? For college, big programs, not necessarily. Our senior ace is 5'9", excellent pitcher, one of the best I have seen since watching college baseball. But he knows, coaches know, scouts know his height has basically stopped him from reaching the next level. Do they like their pitchers(at sons school) to be over 6 ft, you bet, but not every pitcher over 6 foot turns out to be the ace and might never be the ace.
Will the pitchers not as good as him over 6 foot be drafted before him, you bet, that's just the way it is.
BUT, my post is not about after college, it's before and during. Become the best pitcher you can be, get hitters out and you will play college ball. Every program needs pitchers, not all are over 6ft and hit 90.
And for those over 6ft hitting 90+, doesn't mean you will become a high draft choice either just because you fit the physical description.
Great minds think alike!
The posting of the article was a follow up on Dad04's comment.
There are some great, great college pitchers out there that can get the job done, over and under 6 ft, LH, RH, hitting 90 or not.
Size matters? For college, big programs, not necessarily. Our senior ace is 5'9", excellent pitcher, one of the best I have seen since watching college baseball. But he knows, coaches know, scouts know his height has basically stopped him from reaching the next level. Do they like their pitchers(at sons school) to be over 6 ft, you bet, but not every pitcher over 6 foot turns out to be the ace and might never be the ace.
Will the pitchers not as good as him over 6 foot be drafted before him, you bet, that's just the way it is.
BUT, my post is not about after college, it's before and during. Become the best pitcher you can be, get hitters out and you will play college ball. Every program needs pitchers, not all are over 6ft and hit 90.
And for those over 6ft hitting 90+, doesn't mean you will become a high draft choice either just because you fit the physical description.
Then again it is possible to be 6-0 or under and get to the next level.
PITCHERS
Bartolo Colon - RHP - 5'11" - Cy Young winner 05, W-21, 2 X All Star
Johan Santana - LHP - 6'0" - Cy Young winner 04, W-20, 2 X All Star
Roy Oswalt - RHP - 6'0" - Cy Young top 5 last 4 yrs, W-20 last 2 yrs, All Star
Pedro Martinez - RHP - 5'11" - Cy Young winner 96, 99, 2000, W-23 99, 7 X All Star
Greg Maddux - RHP - 6'0" - Cy Young winner 92.93.94,95, W-318 Career, 8 X All star
Tom Glavine - LHP 6'0" - Cy Young winner 91,98, over 20 wins 5 times, 9 X All Star
Mike Hampton - LHP - 5'10" - 2nd in Cy Young vote 1999, 2 X All Star
Jake Peavy - RHP - 6'0" - All Star 2005
Jamie Moyer - LHP - 6'0" - Won over 20-01,03, All Star 03
Scott Kazmir - LHP - 6'0" - Young Star
Billy Wagner - LHP - 5'10" - Rolaids Award 99, 4 X All Star
Trevor Hoffman - RHP - 6'0" - Rolaids Award 98, 4 X All Star
Tom Gordon - RHP - 5'10" - Rolaids Award 98, 2 X All Star
Chad Cordero - RHP - 6'0" - Rolaids Award 05, All Star 05
Houston Street - RHP - 6'0" - Rookie of the Year 05, 23 saves
Luis Vizcaino - RHP - 5'11" - Most appearances 2002
* Most of the above are actually a bit shorter than their listed height.
PITCHERS
Bartolo Colon - RHP - 5'11" - Cy Young winner 05, W-21, 2 X All Star
Johan Santana - LHP - 6'0" - Cy Young winner 04, W-20, 2 X All Star
Roy Oswalt - RHP - 6'0" - Cy Young top 5 last 4 yrs, W-20 last 2 yrs, All Star
Pedro Martinez - RHP - 5'11" - Cy Young winner 96, 99, 2000, W-23 99, 7 X All Star
Greg Maddux - RHP - 6'0" - Cy Young winner 92.93.94,95, W-318 Career, 8 X All star
Tom Glavine - LHP 6'0" - Cy Young winner 91,98, over 20 wins 5 times, 9 X All Star
Mike Hampton - LHP - 5'10" - 2nd in Cy Young vote 1999, 2 X All Star
Jake Peavy - RHP - 6'0" - All Star 2005
Jamie Moyer - LHP - 6'0" - Won over 20-01,03, All Star 03
Scott Kazmir - LHP - 6'0" - Young Star
Billy Wagner - LHP - 5'10" - Rolaids Award 99, 4 X All Star
Trevor Hoffman - RHP - 6'0" - Rolaids Award 98, 4 X All Star
Tom Gordon - RHP - 5'10" - Rolaids Award 98, 2 X All Star
Chad Cordero - RHP - 6'0" - Rolaids Award 05, All Star 05
Houston Street - RHP - 6'0" - Rookie of the Year 05, 23 saves
Luis Vizcaino - RHP - 5'11" - Most appearances 2002
* Most of the above are actually a bit shorter than their listed height.
Of course size matters, but so do a lot of other things such as speed, power, arm strength, etc... Most smaller guys would like to be bigger, most slower guys would like to be faster, almost everyone would like to have it all.
But here is the bottom line: the less talent you have, the more important it is to be bigger and the guys who attach the most importance to size are the big ones or the small ones rather than most players in between.
But here is the bottom line: the less talent you have, the more important it is to be bigger and the guys who attach the most importance to size are the big ones or the small ones rather than most players in between.
MLB should be measuring the size of a player's heart, not their bodies. I have a cousin that was an All-American in college, could hit for avg., hit for power, had the footspeed, defense, armstrength...everything you needed...except height...he was a 5'8" outfielder, maybe 5'9" if he stretched. He talked with scouts, went to tryout camps, and outplayed the bigger players. The scouts flat out told him that if he were bigger, he'd be at the top of their lists...and they admitted to him that he was a better player than the guys that would be picked, but that they couldn't recommend someone of his size, because he didn't fit the "ideal" they were looking for.
When Marcus Giles was in the minors, I struck up a conversation with a few scouts before the Single A Allstar game, and mentioned Giles, because I'd seen him play several times. Their response? He's too small...he'll never make it.
Pitchers? I've seen the kid for years that TPM is talking about...he's a quality pitcher, regardless of how tall he is. There's a ton of kids drafted that can throw hard and meet the "ideals" for size, but they don't have a clue how to pitch. Greg Maddux isn't a giant, and he's just won his 5th straight game...maxing out at 84mph. In fact, for some strange reason, in the games I've seen this year, there's a ton of guys throwing 85,86,87,or 88 mph...RH and LH...more of them than the guys throwing 93 or 94. Maybe they all got off of the juice... 
When Marcus Giles was in the minors, I struck up a conversation with a few scouts before the Single A Allstar game, and mentioned Giles, because I'd seen him play several times. Their response? He's too small...he'll never make it.
Pitchers? I've seen the kid for years that TPM is talking about...he's a quality pitcher, regardless of how tall he is. There's a ton of kids drafted that can throw hard and meet the "ideals" for size, but they don't have a clue how to pitch. Greg Maddux isn't a giant, and he's just won his 5th straight game...maxing out at 84mph. In fact, for some strange reason, in the games I've seen this year, there's a ton of guys throwing 85,86,87,or 88 mph...RH and LH...more of them than the guys throwing 93 or 94. Maybe they all got off of the juice...
quote:Originally posted by 2seamer:
MLB should be measuring the size of a player's heart, not their bodies.
MLB measures the size of the "draw" - financially.
That is it.
Forget about heart at the MLB level.
Its the size of the draw - and the Net Income.
Thats it.
Yeah...but somehow, Kirby Puckett was a heck of a player, one that I would take on my team in a second..and he was as big around as he was tall..
One big reason they will take the bigger guy is this:
A 5'10" guy releases the ball at about 52' 6" from home where as the 6'6" releases the ball at around 51' 10" from home. Which is a difference in time to react to the pitch making it simply harder to hit. Being that releasing the ball closer to home would give you less time to react. I don't feel like doing the math to figure out the exact difference but it would probably be a difference in .06 seconds which may not seem like alot but in a matter of hitting and recognizing a pitch it is.
With that being said no not every taller pitcher is better that is just ludicrous to say. But if movement, velo, etc... is equal in the two players then the taller guy should go before the shorter guy.
A 5'10" guy releases the ball at about 52' 6" from home where as the 6'6" releases the ball at around 51' 10" from home. Which is a difference in time to react to the pitch making it simply harder to hit. Being that releasing the ball closer to home would give you less time to react. I don't feel like doing the math to figure out the exact difference but it would probably be a difference in .06 seconds which may not seem like alot but in a matter of hitting and recognizing a pitch it is.
With that being said no not every taller pitcher is better that is just ludicrous to say. But if movement, velo, etc... is equal in the two players then the taller guy should go before the shorter guy.