All the M&Ms Are Yellow

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 18, 2008 11:31 AM EDT

Remember when I posted this chart following Andy Sonnanstine's gem against Boston?

I decided to do the same thing again for his start Tuesday night.

Sonnanstinestart2_medium

They look at least a bit similar, no? Here's the breakdown in table form:

Sonnanstine v. Boston
Pitch	AVG MPH	H-Break	V-Break	% Thrown	Strike%
FA	89.39	-3.28	8.52	37	52.78
SL	78.47	5.25	2.16	15	78.57
CU	76.55	6.73	-1.32	21	60
FC	88.53	-0.85	8.28	27	84.62

Sonnnanstine v. Boston (Take 2)
Pitch	AVG MPH	H-Break	V-Break	% Thrown	Strike%
FA	87.69	-2.85	7.36	14	53.85
SL	84.78	4.49	5.17	18	64.71
CU	76.18	10.14	-1.63	30	67.86
FC	87.75	1.56	8.95	38	65.71

(FA: fastball, SL: slider, CU: curve, FC: cutter)

A few observations:

1. Whether intentional or not, Sonnanstine threw his fastball with less velocity.

2. Again, whether intentional or not, Sonnanstine's cutter actually changed horizontal break directions. Going away from righties rather than inside.

3. Sonnanstine' s curve broke away from righties more and harder.

4. His slider completely changed amount of vertical break.

5. He mixed up his selection quite a bit.

Whether or not some of those points are simply due to errors by the classification is beyond me. Either way Sonnanstine is the only of the three starters who avoided the long-ball against perhaps the best hitting team in the majors and only gave up one line drive in 13 innings with eight swinging strikes, 19 groundballs, 12 strikeouts, and two walks.

References

Brooksbaseball.net

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Comments

Very interesting.

I like to see that he mixed up his pitches and the way they break. That shows that he is staying ahead of them and making them adjust to his new pitches. Sonny is a good pitcher. I think the changes were intentional though and that is what makes him great. Very Poor man’s Maddux (which is not a bad thing Maddux is one of the best of all time) in that he seems to be a very intelligent pitcher.

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans

BELIEVE in 08!

by SRQman on Sep 18, 2008 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

Oh and I like the Lupe reference

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans

BELIEVE in 08!

by SRQman on Sep 18, 2008 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

You have to think he will only be better in the future

as he continues to learn guys tendencies and learns what he can and cannot get away with. I’m very happy for Sonny as he has had, and continues to have, his share of doubters and through it all has been quiet and efficient.

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 Sep 18, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions