Move over slider, curve, slurve and screwball, there’s a new (ish) breaking ball that’s all the rage in MLB: the sweeper
PHOENIX — Bob Melvin was talking about the improvement of Padres reliever Steven Wilson, when the San Diego skipper dropped in some cool-kid lingo that’s making the rounds in Major League Baseball these days.A few seconds later, Melvin was asked a simple question: What exactly is a sweeper?“I don’t know,” Melvin said, laughing. “It’s new-age baseball talk. A slider’s probably got a little more depth and the sweeper probably comes across a little more. I’ve made that joke, too.
The 61-year-old Melvin might joke that he doesn’t understand the “new-age baseball talk,” but the veteran manager has a pretty good grasp of what makes a good sweeper. Its main movement is side-to-side, and it doesn’t plunge downward like the normal slider or curveball. Ottavino grew up in New York City idolizing breaking-ball pitchers like David Cone and Orlando Hernandez on the Yankees, and wanted to have his own big bender. The right-hander already had a conventional curveball, but because the ball would first rise out of his hand before dropping, it was easier for hitters to differentiate it from his other pitches.
“I tried to make it as big as I could and I think I stumbled onto something there,” Ottavino said. “Now you see a lot more people doing it.” Gibson proved to be a quick study. By his next game, he had a new pitch. The veteran said the grip wasn’t that much different from his original slider — he moved his fingers about an inch on the baseball.
Argentina Últimas Noticias, Argentina Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Behind Colin Rea, Brewers look to sweep AngelsRight-hander Colin Rea will look to help the Milwaukee Brewers complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Angels on Sunday but will have to keep Los Angeles slugger Mike Trout in the ballpark.
Leer más »
Angels’ Taylor Ward believes a return to basics will help him end slumpWard has a .224 average and .673 OPS, down from his .833 OPS last season. He says he started “cheating” to get to inside pitches and he’s lost his up-the-middle approach.
Leer más »
Angels missing the big hit or the big out in loss to BrewersThe score was tied 1-1 in the eighth when each team had a good opportunity to put a run on the board. The Angels came up empty and the Brewers converted.
Leer más »
Brewers edge Angels on Rowdy Tellez's game-winning hitRowdy Tellez singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Milwaukee Brewers held on for a 2-1 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Friday night in the opener of their three-game series.
Leer más »
Brewers' Corbin Burnes bids to get on track vs. AngelsThe Milwaukee Brewers hope ace right-hander Corbin Burnes can rediscover his form on Saturday night when they host the Los Angeles Angels.
Leer más »
Angels’ José Suarez might be pitching for his job SundayManager Phil Nevin says they will go ‘start to start’ with the left-hander, who has a 10.26 ERA but says he feels better after changes to his mechanics
Leer más »