Fuson Changes Up Roles

FF applauds Grady Fuson's tough stance on pitchers throwing change ups. He is following through on threats to remove pitchers from the rotation at minor league affiliates if they don't toss the change piece at least 15% of the time (on average). AA San Antonio pitcher Michael Ekstrom is Fuson's first victim, while a shot has been sent across the bow of Jeremy McBryde, who plays for A Fort Wayne. This really comes down to being a two- versus three-pitch pitcher, which is a well known barometer for a player's ability to handle a line up multiple times. The theory goes that a two-pitch guy won't be able to provide a different enough look to get through the second or third pass of a lineup, whereas a three-pitch (or higher) guy can give significantly more looks. There really isn't a reason that every pitcher doesn't have a change up in his arsenal. If you throw a fastball, it's difficult to understand why one is reluctant to just grip the ball a bit differently and throw it exactly the same way you do your fastball. In fact, one can manage three pitches from the same arm slot - a four seam fastball, two seam heater and change up. These should be the only three pitches taught until varsity high school ball. They are all easy on the arm, and teach players that pitching really is about changing speeds and hitting spots.