Zito Changing his windup?

by Eggman on Feb 15, 2007 11:22 PM PST Comment 10 comments

Interesting article in several papers today that Barry Zito is changing his windup. And not just a little bit according to the article. Actually, there are several, here's one.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/16710334.htm

It says he is trying to add more lower body to the windup to add more velocity on his fastball and changeup.

I'm personally glad we got we what we did from him. I can see the media jumping all over his first 5 inning 5 earned run outing as being due to the changed windup, and not to the fact that he's never started off hot.

I think this could help Zito to become an even better pitcher, but I also think it's a little gutsy, and maybe crazy, for him to take this chance. I guess he already cashed in. But this move can't be kind to his body. So he must be doing it to become an even better pitcher.

Old school windup? I wonder if he'll have a little Dontrelle in him now. (Let's hope he can find a urinal though while he's driving).

What do you think?

Poll

What do you think about Barry Zito changing his windup?

Clear the mantle for more Cy Youngs

16 votes

He'll be back to the old windup by the All-Star Break

26 votes

Mulder, Hudson, and now Zito...pay hike leads to ERA hike

23 votes

This will have no effect, just another story for the media

6 votes

I really don't care (liar)

6 votes

77 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Not McCovey Chronicles

Don't know, don't care cause he's a Giant now. Hahaha.

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay.

by carp on Feb 16, 2007 6:24 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Barry will be expected to shine

There will be a lot of pressure on Barry to win, win and keep winning. I think the Gnat fans will be rather unpleasant if Barry goes into his mid-season mental slide. I hope he does well -even if he is a dreaded Gnat.

The greenmachine

by greenmachine on Feb 16, 2007 6:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

He's so meticulous about mechanics.

I don't see it being a problem for him, but it could be a great boon.

"The future's like, who cares?" ~Eric Chavez

by rebus on Feb 16, 2007 8:04 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Zito has tinkered with his pitching before

and he will keep doing it.

I actually expect him to have a good career over on the other side of the bay.

by OaklandSi on Feb 16, 2007 8:39 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

His new coach seems... hmm.... pissed?

Pitching coach Dave Righetti went as far as to say the tweaks Zito made this winter -- seen by the team for the first time Thursday -- could cause him to lose his dominant curveball and wear down his body. Zito has never missed a start in his seven-year career.
"He's gone from one extreme to another from a pitching standpoint," Righetti said after San Francisco's pitchers and catchers finished their initial workout. "His ball flight is going to be different, no doubt about it."

Love it.

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Feb 16, 2007 10:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Zito is a pro

I fully expect Zito to alter his mechanics and make it work or just go back to his old form..which of course worked fine. Either way Zito will pitch to the best of his ability and in a way that feels the best for his body. He is such a talented pitcher and a perfectionist when it comes to his job. I have nothing but confidence in Barry doing whatever works best for him as a pitcher and having a good career until the end. Even as a Giant I will cheer for Zito and watch as many of his starts as I can, even after leaving the A's he is going to continue being one of my top 5 favorite baseball players.

by 3oaklandas7 on Feb 16, 2007 10:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

yeah, it's funny

but there will probably still be lots of Zito threads here for at least this season.

"The future's like, who cares?" ~Eric Chavez

by rebus on Feb 16, 2007 11:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

who cares?

Not our $126 million dollar problem...

"I hate the Angels"

by Vegas A's Fan on Feb 16, 2007 1:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I can understand

him tweaking his mechanics, but the thing about pitching right-handed came as a bit of a shock.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Feb 16, 2007 7:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs