General baseball thought s

Hey everyone thanks for checking in again as it seems like the whole world gets into the swing with baseball. Couple quick thoughts on coaching, MLB, and protecting young arms.

Coaching

I can't say how invaluable it is to have high quality coaches on your coaching staff as a manager. Having multiple coaches does more than just help with decisions which need to be made. Coaches allow you as a coach to see everything which is going on, allows an opportunity to do multiple things during practice, and helps to spread an overall message which needs to get sent.

I have found that over the two years that I have been coaching I did not realize how lucky I was to have multiple coaches who were just as dedicated as I was. Now that I am by myself coaching I find that I do not have nearly enough individualized instruction which can help plays in small ways which can make huge difference. Also these coaches can allow for pitchers to get instruction which is nearly impossible if you have a large team with one coach.

As difficult as it had been I feel as though I have done the best which might be expected of me as a coach. We have played hard, not made the same mistake twice, and gotten better as the season has moved along. Besides one game I also feel as though the players care and are interested in the game.

Thoughts around the MLB

Jose Fernandez is ridiculous. After watching a large part of his game last night I find it hard to believe that anyone would make contact against him never mind get a hit. Two ++ Pitches in his curve and fastball. I just fine myself trying to enjoy him while he is throwing. I cringe at the thought of him going through Tommy John Surgery. 

Other quick notes Pujols looks very healthy, Cabrera is off to a slow start and lastly I find myself enjoying NL baseball more than AL.

Protecting young arms

One of the biggest problems facing baseball over the next decade is going to be what does it do about the arm injuries which players are now enduring on almost a weekly if not monthly basis. Tom Verducci wrote a great article the other day about how young pitchers are now throwing harder longer. I find myself agreeing with that sentiment. I have seen first hand how pitchers are trying to control the game themselves. What I mean by that is that pitchers are now trying to strike everyone out. At the Freshman baseball level I almost feel as though pitchers are fearful of allowing there defense of making a play.

This probably comes from Little League teams which had substandard defensive play. It seems as though every pitcher is truing to just overmatch their opponent with the fastball instead of pitching to both sides of the plate and looking for easy outs. A lot has to do with pitchers seeing guys like Fernandez and wanting the 14 strikeout game.

Thanks for checking in spread the word contact me on twitter @mrrodrigues2 if you want to chat.

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