Pitcher Profiles: Carl Pavano

From SBN mechanicalizing blog Driveline Mechanics, LGT dabbler Kyle Boddy gives our latest signing the full eight-hour physical, possibly using the whole fist. Also includes a link to a nice writeup on Pavano from Fangraphs a few months back.

As an aside, I have to wonder if Pavano isn't going to be like the Jason Biggs character in American Pie. We'll be rooting for him with absolutely no reservations, but still, there's no denying he has a habit of making an ass of himself in public.

about 3 years ago Jay 30 comments 0 recs |

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Don’t we root for all Indians with no reservations?

by mjschaefer on Jan 8, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply actions 7 recs

Awful pun

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by Kyle Boddy on Jan 8, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions

I wonder sometimes how talented these guys must be who make it to the bigs despite having terribly inefficient mechanics. Also, I still think Pavano sucks and am kind of hoping he bombs out of the gate. If Pavano achieves even a fraction of his incentive clauses he is a big steal. But if he doesn’t, the downside isn’t just the $1.5M but also that we let him go out there and pitch poorly. For a team without much margin for error, I don’t like the downside Pavano brings with him.

by APV on Jan 8, 2009 2:33 PM EST reply actions

Well, we have to define “inefficient mechanics.” Mark Prior’s mechanics were dreadful, but he could still throw 94-96 mph with them. Does that mean they are inefficient? Well, maybe. They clearly were good enough to throw with elite velocity (90+ MPH) – and no one is disputing that the “traditional” model of pitching can generate these high velocities – this is obviously verifiable by watching one or two baseball games.

However, injury to these connective tissues don’t happen overnight – they are cumulative damage that culminates in a final snap of a ligament or a major tear of the labrum. 99.9% of all pitchers in the MLB have labrum damage – some tolerate it differently than others and some have different mechanics that minimize the damage.

Webmaster of Driveline Mechanics
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by Kyle Boddy on Jan 8, 2009 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

but take a guy like Pavano…who neither has dominating stuff (good enough to have been a major league pitcher, but relative to other major league pitchers, not so much) nor good health. What could Pavano have been if instead of throwing 90 when healthy he threw 93-94?

by APV on Jan 8, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

I am having labrum repair surgery in two weeks! I’m just like a big leaguer!

by mjschaefer on Jan 8, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions

Have fun with the rehab. Take it seriously, even if it sucks (and it will).

Webmaster of Driveline Mechanics
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by Kyle Boddy on Jan 8, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

seconded. you might think it’s not a big deal since you (i presume) aren’t a big-time athlete. but you don’t want to be the guy who at 40 has pain reaching for a box of cheerios on the top shelf.

by APV on Jan 8, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

I tore it pitching two years ago. I didn’t get anything done then because I figured it wouldn’t be necessary but it finally started hurting doing every day stuff this past year. Everything I heard about it from other dudes is that it sucks but its worth it.

by mjschaefer on Jan 8, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions

Sounds like my teammate. He’s pitching with a SLAP tear and getting routine cortisone shots.

Absolutely ridiculous.

Webmaster of Driveline Mechanics
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by Kyle Boddy on Jan 8, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

I’m not even sure how bad my tear was, but it killed my fastball. Incidentally the breaking pitches became better.

by mjschaefer on Jan 8, 2009 5:32 PM EST up reply actions

I need to have mine repaired still. I tried just doing the rehab but the tear seems to have been too much for that. Good luck.

by Brad D on Jan 9, 2009 12:47 AM EST up reply actions

I am that guy at 40 who has pain reaching for something on the top shelf or painting a wall for more than ten minutes … and my ex-pitching shoulder is my good one.

by DocNo on Jan 10, 2009 6:25 AM EST up reply actions

Seconded. I subluxed my supra-spinatous lifting weights. Had it re-attached – by an ex-OSU fullback there Brad – the surgery hurt much worse than the injury. They put me on an 18 month rehab program and – this is a familar story – my repaired shoulder is stronger than the other one.

Just remember: the docs’ll do their part and you gotta do yours. You can only succeed if both components work at it.

by mauichuck on Jan 9, 2009 11:33 PM EST up reply actions

Just remember: the docs’ll do their part and you gotta do yours. You can only succeed if both components work at it.

Perfectly said.

Webmaster of Driveline Mechanics
http://www.drivelinemechanics.com - An Unconventional Look at Scouting

by Kyle Boddy on Jan 10, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions

I had my left knee scoped last May, and I need to have it again in a couple months, and that’s a surgery I hear of athletes having all the time. So I’m kind of like an athlete.

Of course, I also had hip replacement surgery last month, so I’m kind of like an 80-year-old.

The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay

by Buckeye Brad on Jan 8, 2009 8:01 PM EST up reply actions

Mathlete rhymes with athlete.

by jhon on Jan 8, 2009 9:04 PM EST up reply actions

Pronk is an athlete. Travis is a mathlete.

by mjschaefer on Jan 9, 2009 12:09 AM EST up reply actions

I had my wisdom teeth removed today. I’m pretty sure most athletes have had that done, so I figure I’ll be ready for the bigs as soon as I’m off the vicodin.

by Chemo on Jan 9, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

better take your time on the vicodin…

by hans on Jan 10, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

espn told me prior had perfect mechanics when he came up. epsn is also how i keep up with who’s NEXT.

by Brick. on Jan 8, 2009 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

When perfect mechanics and Dusty Baker meet, Dusty will win.

by JulioBernazard on Jan 8, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

Immovable object vs. Irresistable force?

Webmaster of Driveline Mechanics
http://www.drivelinemechanics.com - An Unconventional Look at Scouting

by Kyle Boddy on Jan 8, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

possibly using the whole fist

Eeeewwww….

by JulioBernazard on Jan 8, 2009 2:49 PM EST reply actions

perhaps relevant to Pavano’s injury history

by APV on Jan 8, 2009 7:48 PM EST reply actions

If it meant a torn shoulder or falling off the face of the earth, it would be well worth it to hit that.

Webmaster of Driveline Mechanics
http://www.drivelinemechanics.com - An Unconventional Look at Scouting

by Kyle Boddy on Jan 9, 2009 1:50 AM EST up reply actions

Thanks for the link. Nice read. I notice the analysis is done on Pavano’s mechanics in 2008, after the injury. To what degree have his mechanics changed due to the injury? And, is it possible that he can correct for the problems in his motion?

Yankees and Red Sox - MLB's Axis of Evil
(And ESPN is right in the middle)

by Spidey on Jan 9, 2009 6:33 PM EST reply actions