The Best Shape of My Life (And Other Performance-Enhancing Tales from Spring): Jeff Niemann's Cutter and Splitter

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 6, 2010 7:05 PM EST

During the season, Jeff Niemann began throwing a splitter (as documented elsewhere), but during his final appearance of the 2009 season, he also began throwing a cutter. The Brooks Baseball pitchfx page is here and no cutters are actually recorded. Look at the slider average and max velocities however. Some pitchers do throw sliders in upwards of 90 miles per hour - David Price and Felix Hernandez for two - but we have seasonal data on Niemann that suggests his slider sits in the low-80s.

Even more, look at the comparison of velocity and movement between NIemann's "slider" in that game and the one that Lance Cormier throws. Believe it or not, Niemann did not pick this pitch up from Cormier, or James Shields, or anyone else. He just gripped the ball with what amounts to his cutter grip and felt comfortable throwing it during pre-game warm-ups. Eventually he felt comfortable enough to use it during games, and gave the Yankees a cutter-heavy diet that saw a few whiffs - something uncommon when it comes to Niemann's collection of fastballs.

Unfortunately this is the only game where he unleashed it, and the sample size is so ridiculously small that to say whether it will be a worthwhile pitch or not. There's a very good chance Niemann is a better pitcher when it comes to processes this season, but worse when it comes to results. Only time will tell if the cutter and splitter contribute.

Previous installments can be found here.

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Fastball, change-up, cutter, curve

Ain’t no sliders in there.

by Harry Pavlidis on Feb 6, 2010 7:09 PM EST reply actions

Nope. Not in that particular game.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 6, 2010 7:37 PM EST up reply actions

Most of them were placed outside to left-handed hitters.

Maybe he was comfortable throwing and for strikes, but not inside to them.

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by RZ on Feb 6, 2010 10:07 PM EST up reply actions

We should just trade Niemann for a good hitting spect close to the majors

then you would all get your wish with Hellboy in the 5th spot starting the season.Trade him now while his value is high. As I see it Hellboy has a future here, Niemann doesnt.And for the main spect I would prefer catcher or 1st baseman but whatever you ca get your hands on. Does anyone think San Diego would be willing to trade Blanks and someone lower level for Niemann?I’m not good at trades that much so I’m just throwing something out there.Tell me your thoughts am I crazy or am I on the right track?

the question master

by thedudeofdudes on Feb 6, 2010 9:13 PM EST reply actions

Niemann will be cheap for another few years

No reason to dump him now

by benderbrodriguez on Feb 6, 2010 9:52 PM EST up reply actions

Niemann is the Future soooo

by SRQman on Feb 6, 2010 10:29 PM EST up reply actions

so if he is the future then who isnt?

Garza?Sheilds? I mean you have to make room for people like Hellboy and when the time comes guys like Moore,Barnese, Colome, etc. someday(of course for them not for another few years).

the question master

by thedudeofdudes on Feb 7, 2010 3:44 PM EST up reply actions

Well...

Garza is about to get very expensive, it doesn’t look like he’s interested in a “home town discount”, and he will bring in a large bounty. I don’t see how he won’t be traded in the next year or two.

by TampaFL on Feb 7, 2010 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

Which would suck for the Rays

since I think Garza is the best pitcher on the staff right now.

by FloridaownsFSU on Feb 7, 2010 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

Perhaps

but IMO Niemann and Hellickson at league minimum + what we can get for Garza > Garza at arb 2/3.

by TampaFL on Feb 7, 2010 5:54 PM EST up reply actions

How expensive could he get?

unless he has a great year this year in my opinion his stats so far havent been enough to equal big time money, or Kazmir money.What could he ask for?

the question master

by thedudeofdudes on Feb 7, 2010 6:30 PM EST up reply actions

He's already at $3.35M

How can he not go over $5M next year? Like you said, someone has to go to make room for the farm. Why not the most expensive guy? Especially on a “small market” team.

by TampaFL on Feb 7, 2010 9:09 PM EST up reply actions

Just because Niemann should expect some regression to his HR/FB doesn't mean he he has no future here

He’s grown on me. As long as his shoulder stays together I’d like to give him the ball every 5th day.

Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Feb 6, 2010 10:40 PM EST up reply actions

He's grown on you like mold.

I look forward to 30+ nights of being lulled to sleep by the Big Nyquil.

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by Tommy Rancel on Feb 7, 2010 1:42 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Very interesting...

I had to look up another game to see the difference, and, boy, it’s definitely no his slider.

What do you think this means moving forward? Will he play with it in Spring Training and (if successful) make it a slider replacement?

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by BWoodrum on Feb 7, 2010 1:07 AM EST reply actions

Could mean more cutters, less four seamers.

Or he could never throw it again after tinkering with it all off-season and spring. Tough to say.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 7, 2010 9:46 AM EST up reply actions

We can only hope

That four seamer really needs to be thrown less

by benderbrodriguez on Feb 7, 2010 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

I've shown on a few occasions

that he consistently lakes longer than most pitchers to get his fastball up to speed. He neds to throw it a lot early, which is fine first time through the order, so that it is more than medicore when he really needs it. I’m fine with throwing it a lot first time through, then going to more bendy stuff through the rest of the game. Learning new pitches is not a bad thing as long as he is competent and confident.

Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Feb 7, 2010 6:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I think that if he has all these pitchers in his arsenal then he should try and balance them.

We’ve seen Four Seamer, Two Seamer, Splitter, Cutter, Curveball, Slider, and a Changeup.

If we see a 33%, 22%, , 8, 17%, 10%, 5% breakdown on these pitches over a full seaosn then I think its going to be damn near impossible for hitters to figure him out based on the scouting report. On days where even four of his pitches aren’t working for him he should be able to make due. Of course, the assumption here is that all of these pitches can maintain the refinement we’ve seen at different points throughout his time in the majors then we could have an interesting development with Niemann.

All that being said, I don’t see it happening, and I think the most we’ll see is possibly some extra confidence in the splitter as evidenced during the second half of the season. Thats ok though, a man can dream.

by Navi's_Navy on Feb 7, 2010 9:30 PM EST reply actions