How can a 2-seam FB act this way?

[swaldo]

I was going to make a video since I'm taking a break from recording my million dollar games, but I see Arredondo is on the 15 day DL and unavailable. However, I checked him out when this thread was first created and saw nothing wrong with the movement on the pitch.

Your average 2-seamer is only going to have a couple more inches of horizontal break the a 4-seamer. Arredondo doesn't have good movement so lets say he only gets 1 inch of horizontal break on his 2-seamer? If he throws it outside to a RHB at 96 MPH you're probably not going to see a difference between that and his fastball (which is rated 97 mph.) It's not made to dance, it's only to get batters to swing a tad high thus resulting in a ground ball.

Maddux threw a much slower 2 seamer so it had more movement. Think about it: 96 MPH thrown across the body - do you have any idea how much spin would need to be applied to have it reverse direction and dart back inside like a screwball? Again, what you'll see as a batter is a 4-seamer heading outside for a ball, but the 2-seamer might straighten out just enough to catch the edge of the zone. And that's exactly what I saw in the slow-mo replay.

In live action you're just seeing a fastball heading outside hence your confusion. And yes, you can post a link to your video here, since Arredondo is not available just pick any 2-seam hurler.

[ambizytl]

Quote: Originally Posted by swaldo

I was going to make a video since I'm taking a break from recording my million dollar games, but I see Arredondo is on the 15 day DL and unavailable. However, I checked him out when this thread was first created and saw nothing wrong with the movement on the pitch. Your average 2-seamer is only going to have a couple more inches of horizontal break the a 4-seamer. Arredondo doesn't have good movement so lets say he only gets 1 inch of horizontal break on his 2-seamer? If he throws it outside to a RHB at 96 MPH you're probably not going to see a difference between that and his fastball. It's not made to dance, it's only to get batters to swing a tad high thus resulting in a ground ball. Maddux threw a much slower 2 seamer so it had more movement. Think about it: 96 MPH thrown across the body - do you have any idea how much spin would need to be applied to have it dart back inside like a screwball? Again, what you'll see as a batter is a 4-seamer heading outside for a ball, but the 2-seamer will straighten out just enough to catch the edge of the zone. And that's exactly what I saw in the slow-mo replay. In live action you're just seeing a fastball heading outside hence your confusion. And yes, you can post a link to your video here.

I did see the same thing with a different pitcher, don't remember his name or the ratings. I do seem to recall Arredondo had a decent break on his 2-seam FB when thrown inside to righties and away from lefties.