[外電] Maddux puzzled by Feliz's dip in velocity
Maddux puzzled by Feliz's dip in velocity
Rangers pitching coach keeping close eye on rookie
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
09/23/09 10:40 PM ET
OAKLAND -- Just about every ballpark has a radar gun to clock pitches and
entertain fans. Readings vary from ballpark to ballpark.
Some guns are faster than others. A pitcher can throw the exact same pitch
from one city to another and could still be clocked at three or four miles
per hour slower.
But when the same radar gun clocks a pitcher five to seven miles per hour
slower in a seven-week interval, that becomes noteworthy.
Neftali Feliz is being clocked much slower lately by the Oakland-Alameda
County Coliseum radar gun than he did back on Aug. 3 in his first appearance
for the Rangers.
"If you can tell me why, I would appreciate it," pitching coach Michael
Maddux said. "Mechanically, he is repeating his delivery exactly as the last
time. His mechanics are a minuscule second apart."
Feliz made his Major League debut on Aug 3 and pitched two scoreless innings
against the Athletics. He struck out four of six batters. His fastball was
clocked between 97-100 mph.
On Tuesday night, Feliz pitched two-thirds of an inning against the Athletics
at the Coliseum. His fastball was 92-94 mph with only one reaching 96.
"When he first came up, the guy was very excited," Maddux said. "He was
reaching back and maxing out on everything, doing it for the first time. Now
we're at the time of the year where it's tough for all young players. They
have never had a starting line in February and a finish line in October. But
it's still in there inside of him."
Feliz has allowed seven hits, six walks and five runs in his last 6 1/3
innings over his last five appearances. In his first 22 games, he allowed one
run on five hits and one walk.
"You can still be successful as long as you change speeds and command the
fastball," Maddux said, noting the work of Oakland pitcher Trevor Cahill, who
was the winning pitcher on Tuesday in the Athletics' 10-1 win.
"Velocity just allows you to get away with mistakes," Maddux said. "Trevor
Cahill had the same velocity. You just have to pitch better."
Maddux said Feliz has not brought up any physical issues.
"None," Maddux said. "Zero. He is as healthy as a horse and is strong as a
bull."
Feliz has pitched 105 1/3 innings this year. He pitched 127 innings in 2008.
But this is his first season being used mainly in relief. He switched to the
bullpen in July and manager Ron Washington said that may make a difference.
"It's a different role for the kid," Washington said. "He's usually used to
take as much time as he needs to be ready. He may be getting loose enough to
throw the ball but not loose enough to get it out there the way he wants it."
Velocity though is hardly the only thing that the Rangers like about Feliz.
They are also thrilled with the way he has developed his breaking ball and
changeup, but there is also his makeup.
"I would say his competitiveness," Maddux said. "He's not over-awed by the
situation he's pitching in. He's out there to do the job. He's not out there
because he's happy to be in the big leagues. He's got a good competitive
nature at a young age."
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the
approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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