Four words you never want to read in a headline: 'Roy Halladay' and 'velocity down'
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Four words you never want to read in a headline: 'Roy Halladay' and 'velocity down'
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Got a paper bag handy? You might need it after reading Ken Rosenthal's latest over on FoxSports.com. The well-respected MLB insider for Fox and the MLB Network talked to a couple of scouts who noted two things about Roy Halladay's performance against the Twins today: one, he changed his arm slot, and, two, he was only throwing 89 miles per hour.
As Ken notes, this could be little more than some spring training fatigue. Halladay normally sits between 91 and 93 miles per hours, which really isn't that far off from 89. Keep in mind he still has three more outings before the start of the regular season, and he is getting older, so even though Halladay usually looks terrific in the spring, this could just be a case of offseason rust that has lasted longer than usual.
Halladay has allowed nine runs, 13 hits and five home runs this spring. Two encouraging numbers: he has 10 strikeouts and one walk in 7 2/3 innings and he's recording 2.25 ground-outs for every fly ball out. Both of those numbers are Halladay-esque.
That being said, Halladay allowed just one run in 21 2/3 innings last spring. In 34 Grapefruit League starts since 2006, he has a 3.13 ERA.
I wouldn't panic yet. But it is certainly something to monitor in his next outing.
In a sidenote, big ups to both Ken and Ruben Amaro Jr. for their decision to go with the word "gangbusters" to describe Halladay's previous spring performances. That word does not get nearly enough use in this day and age.
expect Halladay to be third best starter this year; in 2013 and 2014 Lee will start to decline too and Hamels will be somehwere else, and Phils will be paying a part-time 1sr baseman $25 mil./ yr to hit about 15 hrs, still without a leadoff hitter or cleanup hitter and in the bottom of the league in hitting and looking up at Nationals and MArlins in standings, and all you loser fans will be wondering why you were defending clueless rube as he was destroying a franchise....— warbiscuit- copy and paste.
c'mon, @warbisc we read this moments ago on the 'other' post. be creative, at least, please.— 24sDad - Spring training gives the players the opportunity to practice their skills and it gives reporters the chance to practice their panic.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- Haha - well put
— dmurph003 - Ditto. — 24sDad
- Th media is giving us a lot to be panicked about. If it isn't Brown making the headlines every day on his fielding it is Chase, Howard and now Roy. We will be shot before June at this rate..:)— pattymac3
Comment removed.- Hey moronbiscuit - try changing your brilliant posts to different articles.— rickm
- The Phillies infield is more of a concern than Halladay.— Lil Kim Jong-il
- Maybe he is taking a different approach. I am a little concerned I don't like all these home runs. I mean they tatooted him yesterday. This is coming from someone that thinks the world of this man. I don't care if his arm is falling off he can pitch for me. I just want him to be the best!— twentysecs
- @warbiscuit. you are a fool and everyone hates you. please go away.— CosmoK
- If injured. Not good.— Fritz and Alice
- Yes Virginia, there is a ....you know the rest !
While there are significant injuries on the team, it doesn't mean they're contagious. Quarantine isn't necessary. Funny thing! Other teams pitchers are getting older too. If someone breaks down, we have young men who will be asked to step up, and produce.
Long term contracts, even to other teammates can bind the GM's hands. Of course, he's the one who put the team in this position. Maybe he can figure a way out if there is a problem.— phineas - typical warbiscuit nonsense. have you even played baseball before because it seems, like usual, you dont have the first clue in what you're talking about?— Apollo Creed
- The well-respected MLB insider for Fox? Respect and Fox is an oxymoron.— Ron
- I mentioned the velocity in another chat yesterday, which has not improved since the first outing. They have to be concerned. This guy has been working all winter in Clearwater, so you can forget about the he's getting into shaped nonsense. He's a fitness freak. And he doesn't have bad outings often, two in a row (4 HR and 11 hits in 5.2 innings) for his standards.— EL Zorro
- No kidding. Those are Eaton-esque kind of numbers. — SteveS11
- What a irresponsible article by Fox. It's Spring Training. He won't pitch forever, but he will still be good for years. Why does anything the people at Fox do surprise us?— MichaelZoe
- I was at the game in Lakeland last week when Halladay gave up two long home runs. I don't have an eye like the scouts so I didn't notice a different are slot, but I did notice that he was consistently hitting 88 mph on the field radar. I'm guessing that he is working on location and still building arm strength. It's definitely not time to panic.— flyfis1369
- This is going to be one disaster of a season for the Phillies. I can see it coming 3000 miles away.— SteveS11
- Ah, the tree huggers are up early this morning. It is good comedy though to read two distinct posts bashing Fox (news) for Ken Rosenthal’s (who is employed by Fox Sports which is totally different) analysis on Halladay’s velocity. I think it’s hilarious anytime I see someone get so angry of a television station that it consumes their life. ;)— guyguy4
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- It's spring training. No worries here until I see Doc not being Doc in a game that counts. I also think the Phillies get some pleasure out of creating meaningless diversions for people to panic over. A few more weeks and we can complain for real.— s
- Just Moronic Sportswriters looking for some crumbs. Preseason means nothing for guys like Doc. Go away!!!— Phillyexp
- Does anybody understand the words coming out of Charlie M's mouth. Do the Phillies have to carry an interpreter for his press conferences."ahhh, u know,and like I ,(taking hat off)uh ,kinda like what I ah saw " what part of hillibilly ike did he come from.What kind of example does he set for young kids ??— sammydelphia
- Halliday adjusts and refines every spring. He will be fine.— ACBaughman
