Phillies concerned about Myers
What ails Brett Myers? The Phillies, and the right hander, want to know.
Phillies concerned about Myers
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Heading out of Pittsburgh early tomorrow morning. . .
Quick preview of what's in the paper tomorrow. . .
The Phillies are concerned about Brett Myers' performance through six starts. So is the pitcher. Myers' velocity has been down significantly from where it usually is. It has been that way all season. Usually, his fastball sits somewhere in the low-to-mid 90's. This season, it has rarely climbed out of the high 80's. Myers says those last few ticks have made him rely more on his cutter, and less on his fastball.
“I haven’t seen a fastball,” Manuel said. “It topped out today at 89. Myers is usually 92-95, somewhere in there. I haven’t seen the fastball since the start of the season.”
Myers seemed frustrated. But pitching coach Rich Dubee said the problem isn't velocity. Instead, it's Myers approach on the mound, as well as his preparation. Dubee said he thinks Myers would benefit from throwing more long toss prior to starts, which he said builds strength and elasticity in the arm. Myers, Dubee said, isn't a big fan of long toss.
Dubee also said he needs to rely on his fastball, even if it isn't as fast as he'd like it.
“I think its as simple as him throwing some more fastballs and him getting out there and playing some more long toss,” Dubee said. “He’s not a real big believer in long toss, and I am. I think that’s one way you develop arm strength and keep some elasticity in your arm. I think its something he’s got to buy into a little bit more.”
Myers, however, said he has been trying to build strength in the arm.
“I’ve been working all season to get it back,” Myers said. “It doesn’t matter how much I run, how much I lift my legs, how many shoulder weights I do, I’m just not getting the zip on the end of it, the explosion. It just kind of comes out of my hand the same speed it gets to the plate. There’s no extra life to it.”
Joe in Haddonfield is dead on. Myers should be dropped in the rotation (if that's possible in April/May) to reflect his status as an inconsistent career .500 pitcher. He hasn't earned the #1 starter role. John - Ignore the morons. They want to get a response. They're usually young and live at home.— JeffA
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- Dropping Myers in the rotation doesn't quite work, since they work on 5 days rest. Its not like the batting order where you can move guys around on a day-to-day basis. But, if you consider Hamels the #1 - then Myers is actually pitching in the #5 slot since he pitches the day before Hamels.— Gary Varsho
- Brett Myers not responding to coaches is not a new thing, Joe Kerrigan years ago had said, both as a coach and commentator, that Brett is not as open to coaching as he should be. He chooses to rely on his ability. As for not liking to long toss, that is common that pitchers do not like certain drills used in training and that is acceptable, ONLY if you can provide the alternate solution. If Brett has one that works on the arm muscles, go try it and see if it works. Not doing anything will keep you in this situation.— rvb2321
- Agreed...he's not Josh Beckett......Jake Peavy or Brandon Webb...still you get the feeling he should be better than his numbers reflect.....you wonder if he'll have a great epiphany at some point like Schilling did and start to be the pitcher everybody always thought he was....— Mark1npt
- shabba and roque you are both idiots...lack of leadership? They are having the best April they have had in years. What are you talking about? Roque Hamnels inconsistant? He has an era below 3. he gets limited run support....comments like that should have you banned from the site....neither of you know a thing about baseball. The Phillies are playing good ball! Go Phils!— tralfaz
