http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06011/635793.stm
Great article about Zach and the possibility of him starting opening day.
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WOW! THAT'S AWESOME! Congratulations and best luck!
Very best wishes to Zach this year, what a special young man!
quote:"This could be a good staff all around. Anyone could step up," Duke said. "You look at Oliver and Kip, and they both have great stuff. You look at Paul and myself, we're average across the board but get the job done other ways. There's a lot of potential here."
To hear baseball men tell it, the one who stands out is Duke.
There are 1 million guys out there who wished they could be as average as Zach Duke. Great article with some keys to success for the youngsters out there.
Wow....Great year last year...hope it continues for him this spring/summer.
Very complimentary article about a classy and smart kid. He's going to continue to get even better with his great attitude and approach to the game.
ClevelandDad makes a good observation in that Zach posesses many fine attributes that should be studied by up and coming pitchers and players alike.
Congratulations Zach! You done good OPP!
ClevelandDad makes a good observation in that Zach posesses many fine attributes that should be studied by up and coming pitchers and players alike.
Congratulations Zach! You done good OPP!
He is one impressive young man and one that I'm cheering for to have much continued success. Way to go Zach!!!!
" True to his incessantly self-critiquing form, he speaks almost defiantly about not resting on those accomplishments and continuing his dramatic upward curve.
"That's how I got from where I was at this point last year to where I am now," he said. "There are weaknesses in my game, things I need to learn. The way I see it, last year is over. It's in the books. It doesn't matter anymore. I'm just looking to make myself better."
Last week I had posted about whether baseball at college and beyond was more mental or physical. Zach's mental approach illustrates the impression I was trying to convey. Never being satified, always looking forward, and mentally challenging yourself to excel every time you get an opportunity seem pretty critical. As CD posted, players at all levels could learn from reading this article.
Hmmmmm. I wonder if the Pirates, as an organization, are as committed to improving as Zack is as a player?
"That's how I got from where I was at this point last year to where I am now," he said. "There are weaknesses in my game, things I need to learn. The way I see it, last year is over. It's in the books. It doesn't matter anymore. I'm just looking to make myself better."
Last week I had posted about whether baseball at college and beyond was more mental or physical. Zach's mental approach illustrates the impression I was trying to convey. Never being satified, always looking forward, and mentally challenging yourself to excel every time you get an opportunity seem pretty critical. As CD posted, players at all levels could learn from reading this article.
Hmmmmm. I wonder if the Pirates, as an organization, are as committed to improving as Zack is as a player?
IMO
Zach is gonna "Duke 'em all" this year.
Zach is gonna "Duke 'em all" this year.
May just have to bring ITS up here to Shea so he and I can go watch Zach pitch against the Metsie's
quote:ClevelandDad makes a good observation in that Zach posesses many fine attributes that should be studied by up and coming pitchers and players alike.
...and he's got one of the best hammers in the game. IMO
TR,
LOL - Just what I need to see.
Yet another Metsie loss.
LOL - Just what I need to see.
Yet another Metsie loss.
ITS
But at least we know the pitcher who beat us
But at least we know the pitcher who beat us
quote:Originally posted by infielddad:
Hmmmmm. I wonder if the Pirates, as an organization, are as committed to improving as Zack is as a player?
The Pirates are as "committed to improving" as a small market team can be. They have a great deal of young talent ready to blossom (and have actually added some good, veteran stability in the off-season) at all levels of the organization. The problem is, when they do develop future stars, they can't compete with the big boys when it comes time to sign them for the longterm. Thus, I think of the Pirates and the Tigers of the world as the AAAA minor league teams of the Yankees, Red Sox, etc.
Makes me sad...
PAMom, not sure I fully agree. The more I learn about professional baseball, the more I realize that until a player is arbitration eligible/free agent, the club really has the hammer. The A's have shown that you can be a winner and be a small market team. I do not know about the Pirates, but teams can do some things while players are on the way up that make successful young players want/demand arbitration and free agency when they get that opportunity. Teams make decisions that cost them players and a lot of money solely to save comparatively minor dollars at an earlier stage. To give an illustration: assume you have a first year player who is performing extremely well in Spring training. Instead of placing him on the opening day roster, you send him to AAA. He dominates. You bring him up in mid season. He dominates. Then you send him back to AAA for a period and bring him back up a few weeks later. What has happened is the player loses that year as credit toward his being arbitration eligible and the team retains complete control and pays him the major league minimum an extra year. When that player, assuming he continues to be successful, gets to arbitration, he will want every $$$ he can get. Not saying this happened at PNC but not saying it didn't either. 
PAmom,
I'm jealous of you, being able to watch Zach in person - you will have to give us eyewitness reports!
I'm jealous of you, being able to watch Zach in person - you will have to give us eyewitness reports!
I picked up Zach Duke on my fantasy team last season when he came up and he helped lead me to the Fantasy championship!! 
True Story.
The other guys on the team asked me how I knew how to pick up this guy?......
I told them "inside information"
I dont think I'll be able to wait to long before I draft him this upcoing season!!
True Story.The other guys on the team asked me how I knew how to pick up this guy?......
I told them "inside information"
I dont think I'll be able to wait to long before I draft him this upcoing season!!
Too bad Mark Cuban doesn't buy the team....they are going to need an owner with deep pockets once this gem of a young man comes up for arbitration.
Wonder how Zach would like to come "home" and pitch for the Rangers?
Wonder how Zach would like to come "home" and pitch for the Rangers?
Or better yet, the Astros.
infielddad---
No doubt you know more about the business of pro baseball than I do, but I DO know about the scenario of which you speak (and a big BOOOOOHISSSS from me on that)!
Doubt it's just the PNC-type teams that do this sort of thing, though. I LOVE the game of baseball, but I hate the business!
MN-Mom---
Making a point this year to head off to PNC Park to see Zach pitch. Timing was never right last season, and he WAS only up from AAA for half the season...
KellerDad---
We are praying for salvation (aka: Mark Cuban)!
He IS a local!
No doubt you know more about the business of pro baseball than I do, but I DO know about the scenario of which you speak (and a big BOOOOOHISSSS from me on that)!
Doubt it's just the PNC-type teams that do this sort of thing, though. I LOVE the game of baseball, but I hate the business!MN-Mom---
Making a point this year to head off to PNC Park to see Zach pitch. Timing was never right last season, and he WAS only up from AAA for half the season...
KellerDad---
We are praying for salvation (aka: Mark Cuban)!
He IS a local!
quote:Originally posted by PAmom:
Thus, I think of the Pirates and the Tigers of the world as the AAAA minor league teams of the Yankees, Red Sox, etc.
Makes me sad...
Pa,
I agree - and dont forget the Metsies.
It not only makes me sad - I cry alot too
.
I had a few questions about Zach Duke that I was wondering if someone could answer.
I am doing a study of pitchers on my web site, looking for mechanical differences between injury-free and injury-prone pitchers...
http://www.chrisoleary.com/pitching/analyses.html
I just did a breakdown of Zach's motion (I post it to my web site tomorrow A.M. when I get into work), but I REALLY like what I see.
He has one of the best, cleanest motions of any young pitcher (by way of comparison I just looked at all of Detroit's young guns and they all look like they are heading for serious shoulder problems). His timing is very good and he does a number of things that should protect his elbow (e.g. he pronates his forearm very early). I am slightly concered about his shoulder (due to some scapular loading), but even that is only a relatively minor concern (because he keeps his elbows below his shoulders).
Does anyone know where he learned his mechanics (I'd be willing to bet he learned them while he was young)? Was he taught to pronate early?
Do you know if he has ever had an arm injury (I would guess no other than some possible shoulder tightness)?
Of course, all of this really bothers me, given that I am a Cardinals fan. ;-)
I am doing a study of pitchers on my web site, looking for mechanical differences between injury-free and injury-prone pitchers...
http://www.chrisoleary.com/pitching/analyses.html
I just did a breakdown of Zach's motion (I post it to my web site tomorrow A.M. when I get into work), but I REALLY like what I see.
He has one of the best, cleanest motions of any young pitcher (by way of comparison I just looked at all of Detroit's young guns and they all look like they are heading for serious shoulder problems). His timing is very good and he does a number of things that should protect his elbow (e.g. he pronates his forearm very early). I am slightly concered about his shoulder (due to some scapular loading), but even that is only a relatively minor concern (because he keeps his elbows below his shoulders).
Does anyone know where he learned his mechanics (I'd be willing to bet he learned them while he was young)? Was he taught to pronate early?
Do you know if he has ever had an arm injury (I would guess no other than some possible shoulder tightness)?
Of course, all of this really bothers me, given that I am a Cardinals fan. ;-)
Coach Chris,
Never an injury. Not even the shoulder tightness. ALWAYS iced.
Took lessons from former MLB LHP Billy Brewer(briefly with Cards, I believe), Craig McMurtry(former Astros AAA pitching coach), Chris Clemmons(Diamondbacks) and minor league pitcher Jeff Thomas(taught him a "safe slider" prior to Sr. year of HS). Also got advice from former McLennan Community College coach, Paul Miller(former LHP).
Got his first pitching lessons at age of 11 and worked with a personal trainer beginning prior to Jr. year of HS. Wish we had found the trainer a couple years earlier!
OPP(Dad)
p.s. He has had some very good pitching coaches since beginning as a professional, they have "refined" his mechanics in so many small ways that I could not name them all. He is MUCH smoother than when he got out of HS though and his landing leg is greatly softened.
Never an injury. Not even the shoulder tightness. ALWAYS iced.
Took lessons from former MLB LHP Billy Brewer(briefly with Cards, I believe), Craig McMurtry(former Astros AAA pitching coach), Chris Clemmons(Diamondbacks) and minor league pitcher Jeff Thomas(taught him a "safe slider" prior to Sr. year of HS). Also got advice from former McLennan Community College coach, Paul Miller(former LHP).
Got his first pitching lessons at age of 11 and worked with a personal trainer beginning prior to Jr. year of HS. Wish we had found the trainer a couple years earlier!
OPP(Dad)
p.s. He has had some very good pitching coaches since beginning as a professional, they have "refined" his mechanics in so many small ways that I could not name them all. He is MUCH smoother than when he got out of HS though and his landing leg is greatly softened.
Really nice story!!!!
Way to go Zach -
you must be one proud papa OPP !!!!
Way to go Zach -
you must be one proud papa OPP !!!!
Tom, you are a true class act!!
Buenas dias from El Salvador!
Buenas dias from El Salvador!
KellerDad
Glad to see another Cuban fan on board-- it has to be a ball playing for an owner who gets into it like he does
Glad to see another Cuban fan on board-- it has to be a ball playing for an owner who gets into it like he does
That small market owner is in a tight spot. Because you own a team that is not expected to compete for a title against those cash ladden teams shows your passion for the game and community. As a businessman, you have to understand that "fiscally responsible" term. It's easy for us to sit back and say pay him this and pay him that, but there always is a bottom line that has to be met.
I'm a huge Zach Duke fan, but Zach alone will not save the Pirates. In a small market that is done from the bottom up (minors), and if you do hit that pinnicle it will be short lived, the system will take care of that.
I think that has been the direction of the Milwaukee Brewers for the last 3-4 years. The funny thing is, win or lose, I think it's more enjoyable watching a team develop than it would be to watch the free agent circus.
I'm a huge Zach Duke fan, but Zach alone will not save the Pirates. In a small market that is done from the bottom up (minors), and if you do hit that pinnicle it will be short lived, the system will take care of that.
I think that has been the direction of the Milwaukee Brewers for the last 3-4 years. The funny thing is, win or lose, I think it's more enjoyable watching a team develop than it would be to watch the free agent circus.
That is fantastic!!! I hope to get to see Zach this summer in Atlanta. Only bad thing is it is not until late August.
I'll see him on the big screen for sure!
You know we're rooting for you Zach!!!!! Expecially against the Metsies!
I'll see him on the big screen for sure!
You know we're rooting for you Zach!!!!! Expecially against the Metsies!
RZ1: Agree about the small-market teams being more fun to watch. I think the Brewers are on the way up. If the Brewers had stayed in the AL, I'd be ready for a Pirates-Brewers WS!
Thanks for the info, OPP. Really cool to read some background, being a long-time Pirates fan. Hope I can do 1/2 as good a job guiding my son as you have with yours (by that, I mean keeping him injury-free and playing to his potential).
As far as Cuban owning the Pirates, I'm not sure if I'm so big on that. I like it when teams build from within. The big difference with the Pirates is that they haven't been able to fill in the final pieces with quality via trades or free agency...and they fill the holes with cast-offs. This is the first year that they've filled in the holes with good players and have some starter-quality backups. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for the info, OPP. Really cool to read some background, being a long-time Pirates fan. Hope I can do 1/2 as good a job guiding my son as you have with yours (by that, I mean keeping him injury-free and playing to his potential).
As far as Cuban owning the Pirates, I'm not sure if I'm so big on that. I like it when teams build from within. The big difference with the Pirates is that they haven't been able to fill in the final pieces with quality via trades or free agency...and they fill the holes with cast-offs. This is the first year that they've filled in the holes with good players and have some starter-quality backups. Fingers crossed.
OPP,
I believe =iIt's great that they are softening up his leg. Stiffening the leg is a trick that works but at a cost.
Do you know if he was ever taught to pronate his forearm as he released the ball?
Here's a link to my analysis of his motion if you are interested...
http://www.chrisoleary.com/documents/PitcherAnalysis_ZachDuke.pdf
Chris
I believe =iIt's great that they are softening up his leg. Stiffening the leg is a trick that works but at a cost.
Do you know if he was ever taught to pronate his forearm as he released the ball?
Here's a link to my analysis of his motion if you are interested...
http://www.chrisoleary.com/documents/PitcherAnalysis_ZachDuke.pdf
Chris
Why wouldn't anyone be a Mark Cuban fan? Sure, he has BAD hair, dresses like a slob and the only reason he's a BILLIONAIRE is because he was smart enough to short Yahoo stock when he got it for his company....but look what he's done with the Mav's.
They were the WORST sports franchise.....well, maybe the Clippers were worse...but they were close. YEARS without a winning record. They led by committee and didn't have a direction.
Now, they are a contender EVERY year. Fun to watch. Sell out crowds. The only thing I disagree with him on is Steve Nash. He should have done EVERYTHING to keep him...but that's another story.
He could only do GOOD things for the Pirates. But, from what I've read, his wife said she'd divorce him if he bought the team.
They were the WORST sports franchise.....well, maybe the Clippers were worse...but they were close. YEARS without a winning record. They led by committee and didn't have a direction.
Now, they are a contender EVERY year. Fun to watch. Sell out crowds. The only thing I disagree with him on is Steve Nash. He should have done EVERYTHING to keep him...but that's another story.
He could only do GOOD things for the Pirates. But, from what I've read, his wife said she'd divorce him if he bought the team.
No real complaints against Cuban; I just don't know how he'd do. He might do great. On the other hand, I'm afraid that he might turn the team into another Mets or Orioles clone. It's easier to cheer for a young, hard-working loser than an overpaid, underachieving loser. Right now, when I feel like the Pirates might be turning the corner, I'd rather not see it happen quite yet.
The Milwaukee Brewers are now the other Blue Jays!
It is way more fun to cheer for a young team who has drafted well and can move players along a little quicker. Lots of opportunities are available this spring for rookies thanks to some dealings in the offseason.
Fielder and Zimmerman to head up the list.
It is way more fun to cheer for a young team who has drafted well and can move players along a little quicker. Lots of opportunities are available this spring for rookies thanks to some dealings in the offseason.
Fielder and Zimmerman to head up the list.
quote:Originally posted by pirateradio:
No real complaints against Cuban; I just don't know how he'd do. He might do great. On the other hand, I'm afraid that he might turn the team into another Mets or Orioles clone.
Cuban may be a genius - but he will never be able to duplicate the food and drink that is offered at Shea Stadium - nor could he duplicate the Vaughn/Alomar/Burnitz nightmare.
quote:Originally posted by itsinthegame:
Cuban may be a genius - but he will never be able to duplicate the food and drink that is offered at Shea Stadium - nor could he duplicate the Vaughn/Alomar/Burnitz nightmare.
The Pirates just picked up the last 1/3 of that OF, but I'm hoping that the results are a bit better...