Watching Pettitte today, I saw a very different pitcher than when he left NY three years ago. He threw mostly fastballs and cut fastballs (91 mph) in his Yankee years, but now he's turning into a Jamie Moyer type....off speed pitcher with the occasional heater and cutter thrown in.
His fastball topped off at 87 mph, but he threw a lot of change ups and curve balls that clocked anywhere between 72-83 mph. He was able to work all sides of the plate and only gave up two hits in five innings of work. He's had a great spring so far, not allowing a run in about ten innings and still has a great presence on the mound.
I know he's still getting into form, but I wonder that if his velocity stays were it is---will he be as effective in the AL as he once was? Or will his better command of his stuff keep him on top of his game...
I still would have preferred the Yanks sign Ted Lilly, a proven pitcher in the AL East instead of Igawa, who needs a lot of work just to get the nerves out of his stomach before he takes the mound, let alone pitch a game...(graphic via src="http://www.pinstripealley.com/images/admin/andy_pettitte1.jpg">
Watching Pettitte today, I saw a very different pitcher than when he left NY three years ago. He threw mostly fastballs and cut fastballs (91 mph) in his Yankee years, but now he's turning into a Jamie Moyer type....off speed pitcher with the occasional heater and cutter thrown in.
His fastball topped off at 87 mph, but he threw a lot of change ups and curve balls that clocked anywhere between 72-83 mph. He was able to work all sides of the plate and only gave up two hits in five innings of work. He's had a great spring so far, not allowing a run in about ten innings and still has a great presence on the mound.
I know he's still getting into form, but I wonder that if his velocity stays were it is---will he be as effective in the AL as he once was? Or will his better command of his stuff keep him on top of his game...
I still would have preferred the Yanks sign Ted Lilly, a proven pitcher in the AL East instead of Igawa, who needs a lot of work just to get the nerves out of his stomach before he takes the mound, let alone pitch a game...
(graphic via MLBlogs)