Pitching Mechanics Voiceover: Andy Sonnanstine
by Driveline Mechanics on May 21, 2008 5:18 AM EDT
10 comments
Ohio’s own (I’m from Cleveland), Andy Sonnanstine hails from Barberton and attended college at Kent State University. Though Sonnanstine posted a 5.85 ERA last year and currently has a 4.53 ERA, his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) stats are 4.26 and 3.89, respectively. That indicates he is the recipient of some poor defense behind him and is simply getting unlucky instead of him being a subpar pitcher.
Sonnanstine throws a ton of different pitches for strikes. Here’s his 2007 Pitch f/x data, courtesy of Josh Kalk’s site:
| type | Speed (MPH) | Break x (inches) | Break z (inches) | Balls | Strikes Called | Strikes Swinging | Foul/Foul tip | In play outs | Singles | Doubles | Triples | Home Runs |
| Fastball | 87.93 | 0.33 | 8 | 135 | 101 | 32 | 72 | 55 | 17 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| Curveball | 72.64 | 10.74 | -1.67 | 27 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Slider | 77.71 | 7.61 | 0.49 | 41 | 19 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Change | 81.39 | -7.12 | 4.39 | 23 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Cutter | 87.73 | -6.86 | 5.35 | 53 | 27 | 9 | 26 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Splitter | 81.46 | 5.27 | 7.94 | 23 | 10 | 3 | 18 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
If that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will. Read on!
Sonnanstine’s peripherals are great, for the most part. He walks less than 2 batters per game, allows less than 1 home run per game, but his strikeout rate is below 5. Regardless, his k/bb ratio is quite good and his GB/FB/LD rates are improving as well:
Sonnanstine also throws from various different arm angles, which adds to his deception. In theory, it should make his control worse, but it doesn’t seem to affect him due to his very good walk rates.
And now, on to the video! I wanted to keep it shorter that Scherzer’s analysis, but it looks like it clocks in at just over 17 minutes. Sorry! There’s a bunch of good stuff in there about Sonnanstine compared to Roy Oswalt, though!
Click the link above to see the video, as I couldn't embed it into DRays Bay.
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Awesome work
If I could find a better adjective, I’d use it.
Very nicely done and informative.
by Jacob Larsen on May 21, 2008 10:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is cooler than cool
I’m a big fan of your site although I don’t check it as often as I should. Have you done anything on Ian Snell this year? I’d love to see if there is anything mechanically wrong with him that is leading to his poor performance this year.
by Jason Collette on May 21, 2008 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That indicates he is the recipient of some poor defense behind him and is simply getting unlucky instead of him being a subpar pitcher.
of course, what else would it be
by blazinrayz on May 21, 2008 8:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm not your buddy, friend
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.
by Sandy Kazmir on May 22, 2008 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like your last post on Shields, this is awesome.
Keep up the excellent work.
Rec’d.
by Patrick L. Kennedy on May 22, 2008 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sonny does not use different angle any longer
great post, but…
actually The Duke does not throw with different arm angles anymore. this is a myth perpetuated by the media.
go back and look at the release points on the Pitchf/x or read this link
by The Professor on May 23, 2008 10:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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