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Freddi on Miller's MIA Velocity


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I'm no pitching coach but I don't think taking velocity of his fastball wouod necessarily improve his command so this is probably good news. I guess we'll find out in his next start.

 

http://www.miamiherald.com/591/v-print/story/490057.html

 

Marlins' A. Miller working to regain his form

 

That is the message the Marlins are trying to deliver to Andrew Miller, who has had what he calls his ''two worst consecutive starts'' to begin his career with the Marlins. Miller, one of the big-name prospects to come to Florida in the Miguel Cabrera-Dontrelle Willis trade with the Detroit Tigers, lasted 4 1/3 innings in his first start, and then left after throwing 91 pitches in 3 1/3 innings Monday. He has a 12.91 ERA this season.

 

The problem? Miller is so worried about throwing strikes that he is taking too much off of his fastball and, as Miller puts it, ``Pitches are getting crushed.''

 

Miller put in some extra work Wednesday with pitching coach Mark Wiley, and the idea is to get Miller's confidence back in his fastball. The Marlins want to see the same life in his pitches he had when he pitched the final spring game against the Yankees, when he was throwing in the mid-to-high 90s.

 

''We saw him pitch against the Yankees, and his fastball was in the 90s, and we haven't see the 90s [in the first two starts],'' said Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez.

 

``So what I've talked to him about is I don't want him to take away from his velocity to try to throw strikes.'

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Am I the only once who thinks he must be the worst top pitching prospect ever?

It's a little early to make that judgement, but this reinforces my belief that putting all of this pressure to perform on inexperienced prospects can hamper or derail their development. At least we are taking a more cautious approach with Maybin, who had about the same MLB experience coming into this season as Miller did.

 

Hopefully he will rebound from those first two starts.

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I messed-up the title, the quotes are from Fredi, not Wiley. Maybe someone can change it.

 

Not a biggie. I got the point from reading the article. I'm no pitching coach either but my perspective would be... Coyote is working with him on NOT throwing across his body which is what was leading to his inconsistencies in the past. Before he even came here. Beinfest wants all our pitchers to learn the change-up at all levels including here. (I disagree with that because I say let the guys throw the stuff that got them here and learn the other things on their off/throwing days, not on their starts at this level, but work it hard in the minors.) Freddi wants his pitchers to concentrate on throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count. It's too much for someone so young to digest at one time, IMO. Solution, in my unprofessional opinion is... Keep preaching the consistent throwing motion and let him use the pitches he knows and feels comfortable with right now. Rely on your scouts' abilities' and at times gut instincts that this kid is really something special but needs some coaching. The rest will fall into place. Just don't push it no matter how much you may need it done NOW.

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His fastball was so pathetic last start that I thought the gun must have been off. It turns out that Miller was the one whow as off. Am I the only once who thinks he must be the worst top pitching prospect ever?

Yes, after two games, I say we f*** it and take him behind the ol' shed.

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His fastball was so pathetic last start that I thought the gun must have been off. It turns out that Miller was the one whow as off. Am I the only once who thinks he must be the worst top pitching prospect ever?

Yes, after two games, I say we f*** it and take him behind the ol' shed.

 

If by old shed you mean Carolina or Albuquerque.

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The nats stadium guns read pitches slower than they really are. I think its funny how the marlins are pitching miller early, but holding maybin back. I think it shows the marlins ARENT so impressed with him, instead of being impressed enough to put him in the starting rotation. they are probably hoping to get a decent performance out of him, and trade him off or something. giving him major league time is going to be expensive for the marlins...unless of course im right and hes not in the future plans considering how many arms we have.

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im not worried at all about miller...at all...he is a future cy young award winner

Before predicting cy youngs maybe we should wait unit he learns how to pitch without walking a boat load of guys which is a problme he's had all the way back to college.

im not waiting...he is that good...but just needs to figure some things out...but he will...and when he does...wow is he gonna be fearful for the rest of the league

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The nats stadium guns read pitches slower than they really are. I think its funny how the marlins are pitching miller early, but holding maybin back. I think it shows the marlins ARENT so impressed with him, instead of being impressed enough to put him in the starting rotation. they are probably hoping to get a decent performance out of him, and trade him off or something. giving him major league time is going to be expensive for the marlins...unless of course im right and hes not in the future plans considering how many arms we have.

that is an absoute fallacy...he is the best pitching prospect by far we have...and will be the best pitcher in the league soon enough

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For many pitchers taking something off of your fast ball will increase accuracy (Beckett and Burnett come to mind). However, it becomes a problem with you take too much off and try to aim the ball. Like everything in pitching it becomes a balancing act.

 

Improving his form is the best way to increase his accuracy. Bad and inconsistent pitching form will ruin more pitchers than a hanging curve (see Dontrelle Willis).

 

Trying to teach all pitchers a change up is a very good idea and is done at all levels. It's not a particularly hard pitch to throw as you pretty much to everything the same as your fastball with a different grip on the ball and it can be the most devistating pitch a pitcher can learn. Players can't depend on what the pitches they used to get to the majors or minors as you have to continually grow.

 

Also, does he have option to go back down? I'm blanking on the name of the rule right now, but some players hit a point in their tenure where they can go to other teams if they are sent down.

 

Miller will get it. He's just going through the same thing most young pitchers do. Unfortunately he's got to go through it at the major league level rather than the minors.

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The nats stadium guns read pitches slower than they really are. I think its funny how the marlins are pitching miller early, but holding maybin back. I think it shows the marlins ARENT so impressed with him, instead of being impressed enough to put him in the starting rotation. they are probably hoping to get a decent performance out of him, and trade him off or something. giving him major league time is going to be expensive for the marlins...unless of course im right and hes not in the future plans considering how many arms we have.

 

Miller currently has a major league contract, Maybin DOES NOT. By holding Maybin back, we are also saving money... also Miller only plays 1/5 games... Maybin would be playing everyday, having a more adverse effect if he weren't ready. Check your facts :thumbup

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