Feb
9
2012

Pelfrey Has That Sinking Feeling Again

An article by Hojo's Mojo

Anthony McCarron from the Daily News, has an update on Mike Pelfrey who is hard at work trying to rediscover that killer sinker that made him the Mets first round draft pick in 2005.

Mike Pelfrey estimates that he has already thrown 1,000 sinkers over the winter during workouts at Wichita State, his alma mater. The Mets’ righthander is desperately trying to recover the pitch he feels he lost somewhere in the disappointment of 2011, a season he says was “nowhere close to what I envisioned or what I wanted to happen.”

His sinker could be the key to what Pelfrey believes is a crucial year in his career. “Huge,” he calls it. “I had a good year in 2010 (when he was 15-9 with a 3.66 ERA) and I wanted to take that next step in 2011 and obviously I wasn’t able to do that, by any means.

“I’m a firm believer that you get out of it what you put into it and I’ve worked my tail off, cleared my head and analyzed. I feel like I’m throwing the ball great right now. It’s definitely an important year for me.”

Pelfrey told McCarron that he feels like his sinker has made progress. Last season, too many times his sinker was up in the strike zone which led to a career-worst 21 homers to go with his 7-13 record and a 4.74 ERA. In 2010 he only gave up 12 home runs.

“I gave up way too many homers and that was a product of the ball being up a lot higher than I’d like. Last year, it got to the point where it just wasn’t moving [his sinker] and I can’t necessarily explain why. It disappeared, but I’ve been throwing and there’s more action on the ball now.”

Another thing Pelfrey must work on is quickening his delivery. Base-stealers were successful on 29 of 31 attempts against him, mostly due to how slow he is to the plate.

Now 28, Pelfrey’s potential is rarely talked about anymore and many just see him as wildly inconsistent with occasional flashes of the dominating pitcher he was expected to be. His evolution toward ace pitcher never materialized and in fact seems more suited to a mid to bottom of the rotation starter whose value is mostly in the 200 innings or so that he can be relied upon.

About the Author: Rob Johnson

8 Comments + Add Comment

NJstuckinTX February 9, 2012 at 10:08 am

He has to be learning this stuff at his college, as I’m sure big daddy Warthen isn’t helping none.
Metsie February 9, 2012 at 10:12 am

I applaud him for the work ethic! Making your pitches better is always a good thing!

But when I read what he said I see he still has not GOTTEN IT yet.

He is still stuck in that bad mode of thinking that says “If I just make this pitch the best pitch it can be I will get the guy out!”

WRONG!

I don’t care how good your Sinker sinks, How much your Curveball breaks and how fast your fastball is…
What you throw, when you throw it, where you throw it, and what you threw before and after it is the thing he needs to focus on!

You can have the greatest Sinker man has ever seen, if an MLB player knows it’s coming he will crush it!

He has to start down the road of setting up his pitches, thinking about how he is going to attack the batter, make pitch selection that the batter can not anticipate not as is currently being done with “My Curve is good today so I’ll use it as my out pitch today!” Or the otherwise…
If I throw a great slider or Sinker I will get him out regardless of what he threw the previous pitches!

He needs to learn how to pitch not work on making better throws!
I’m glad he is improving his stuff but the bottmline on his success is he needs to start formenting a pitching strategy or all that work on the Sinker will ne for naught!
srt February 9, 2012 at 10:17 am

Saw this article last night.
I’d like nothing more than for Pelfrey to get back to throwing the pitches that gave more success.

We’ll see if he puts his money where is mouth is.
Even Flow February 9, 2012 at 10:59 am

Good for Pelf working hard to rediscover his stuff…but if, and this is a big IF, he starts to show flashes of his early 2010 form in the 1st half, they better deal him this time around.
Mike Lloyd February 9, 2012 at 11:43 am

Pelfrey is just an enigma. The problem with Pelfrey is the mental aspect to pitching. He’s still a thrower, not a pitcher. He’s so concerned and consumed with re-discovering something he feels he’s lost, (like his sinker) How about re-discovering your curveball as well, which was lights out with Witchita State…
Not that it matters, IMO Pelfrey will be 1 of those guys that gives you glimpses and flashes, but will never stay mentally ‘locked in’ long enough to be successful for any extended period. His penchant for being mentally distracted on the mound ; licking his palm, hands, fingers, chewing his lips ; whatever, just shows an inability to mentally focus. He belongs pitching in a lower profile city like Oakland, Pittsburgh, or KC, with less pressure…He will never be a big winner, just an inconsistant thrower who will frustrate and drive his managers, coaches, and the fans crazy with his potential. Just an opinion…If he has a good 1st half, sell high Sandy…
Alex68 February 9, 2012 at 11:58 am

Prove it on the field.. all this talk means nothing….
jdon February 9, 2012 at 6:19 pm

Not sure I lzike the idea of a starter throwing 1000 offseason pitches
Vinny February 9, 2012 at 9:20 pm

I like how people just can judge a pitcher right away that he will only live up to be a mid to bottom rotation pitcher. History has shown that its not about your repertoire and the velocity of your pitches. It’s bout first pitch strikes, attacking the zone, and location. Who would of thought Greg Maddux would be an ace based on his velocity and such. Screw the critics, Mike you have the capabilities of an ace go out there and prove all the analysts wrong!

Need Tickets To The Mets Game?

Check Out These Great MLB Links!

For wholesale prices on New York Mets gifts and equipment, check these stores out!
Mets Autograph Signings
Mets Fan Apparel
Mets Autographed Baseballs
Baseball Card Supplies
Baseball Equipment

For the best seats and lowest MLB ticket prices, go to PurchaseSeats.com. Get your Mets Tickets now and follow them on the road with Yankees Tickets, Phillies Tickets, Nationals Tickets and Braves Tickets!