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June 09, 2007
Scouts: For Clemens, It's About Outs, Not Stuff
From Bob Klapisch -
The Rocket's fastball is now clocked at a more modest 90-91 mph, and he rarely uses it in strikeout situations. Instead, the right-hander relies on the splitter and two-seam fastball, trying to out-think and outguess hitters who are no longer intimidated by his arsenal.
While Clemens' skills have eroded since he left the Yankees in 2003, his ability to control hitters' bat speed has become more polished. One scout who has followed the Rocket's progression this year says: "I think he's actually a better pitcher than he used to be. In terms of getting outs, you can pretty much count on him giving you a good game."
From Dom Amore -
Okay, some random observations on Roger Clemens' debut.
First of all, yes, his velocity is not what it used to be. This isn't New Britain, 1983.
As I mentioned a while back, he's going to pitch much like Tom Seaver at the end of his career, a nice, easy 88 MPH fastball and then reach back for a little extra when he needs it. "He's going to have to locate bigtime," one scout told me.
The scouts were generally unimpressed with Clemens stuff, but think he'll still help the Yankees. "He's Roger Clemens, he's going to get people out," one told me. (Seaver was pretty effective in his last years with the White Sox and Red Sox.)
Splitters and two-seamers? This falls in line with what I said a month ago:
The difference for Rocket since going to Houston? More grounders. Less liners. Less flyballs going for homers. And, more runners stranded. Further, while in Houston, the percent of times a batted ball was turned into an out by Roger’s fielders, not including home runs, was around 74%. That's an excellent ratio.
Hey, if it works for Worm Killer Wang in New York, it can work for Clemens too.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at June 9, 2007 09:45 PM
Comments
I don't know who these unnamed scouts are but I find these comments patently ridiculous. "Unimpressed" with his stuff? The guy struck out 7 in 6 innings inc. a final strike out on a 92 mph pitch. He may not be the Rocket of his prime but he still, after one start, has better stuff than 90% of the pitchers out there. And who says his velocity will not improve as he gets more innings in and gets more comfortable? I don't buy the above nonsense that he'll throw mostly at 88 mph.
Regardless as a 4th starter, he's dynamite.
Posted by: Josh ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 10, 2007 12:39 AM
People are commenting on Rocket like he didn't pitch in '06. His fastball was around 91 last year. I expect to see the same this year. And it's simply untrue that he will "rarely" throw his fastball in strikeout situations. His split is his strikeout pitch, so obviously he's going to throw that more often when he gets to two strikes. And like Josh said, even to a bad team like the Pirates, seven strikeouts in six innings is pretty impressive -- and even more so for a 45 year old who had the equivalent of half a spring training.
Posted by: baileywalk at June 10, 2007 01:47 AM
why does britton get optioned to triple a? ESPECIALLY with albatros' like vizcaino!!! why dont they like him? cause of his weight?
Posted by: Corey at June 10, 2007 12:00 PM
"While Clemens' skills have eroded since he left the Yankees in 2003, his ability to control hitters' bat speed has become more polished"
OK, Roger's velocity has eroded, but if he's controlling hitters' bat speed better, then I'd say his skill has gotten better.
Posted by: rbj at June 10, 2007 04:14 PM
Aww, he's no Julian Tavarez, that's for sure. No room for him in that rotation. I didn't watch espn, but I'm sure they spun Clemens' outing as lightning in a bottle against a sorry Pirates team, and this won't get it done in the AL East. (My apologies if that phrase has been trademarked by John Kruk.)
Posted by: JeremyM at June 10, 2007 05:06 PM