Millwood's first 4 starts, 08 vs 09

by Desert Ranger on May 4, 2009 10:55 PM CDT

Before tonights 2 homeruns against the Mariners, Millwood has been pretty much what we need him to be this year. I wanted to do a quick analysis to see what the simple effects of the offseason program that he said he did, after Nolan Ryan's big push for stronger (ie, more durable pitchers), actually were.

Just one simple graph for now, comparing the first four starts of this year versus last year, with average fastball velocity plotted as well as pitches per start.

via i41.tinypic.com

No change in average fastball velocity at all, but a large increase in pitches per start. It's also been consistent. I tried to include the first 5 starts, but gameday didn't get pitch types for his last start at Oakland, so I've got nothing there other than he threw 121 pitches. He didn't throw that many in a start all last year.

And while it's easy to point out that increased effectiveness means longer starts and more pitches, this shows that he's got at least the same fastball he did last year. I think this also helps show that he's a little more durable this year than years past. Here's hoping it continues.

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Comments

Odd

As I’m posting, TAG and Lewin start talking about innings, particularly innings per start.

For what it’s worth:
2008 first four starts: 6, 8, 7, 5 innings
2009 first four starts: 7, 7, 9, 7 innings

And pitches/inning in those starts:
2008: 14.8, 13.25, 15, 13.8
2009: 16.1, 16, 12.3, 16.6

by Desert Ranger on May 4, 2009 11:04 PM CDT reply actions

good stuff

So his fastball velocity has not decreased from last year. This is very encouraging. He’s damn sure been pitching like he’s stronger.

Also, I liked to point out he’s locating his pitches a helluva a lot better than last year

My garden this year... planted tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, okra, and for the first time i went with eggplant

by cowpoke on May 4, 2009 11:18 PM CDT reply actions

so he had a bad outing tonight

I’m not worried one bit about Millwood.

Hell, Felix had a bad outing tonight and gave up 6 ER

My garden this year... planted tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, okra, and for the first time i went with eggplant

by cowpoke on May 4, 2009 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Millwood beat Hernandez

Millwood 7.1 IP 8 H, 5 ER, 0 Walks, 3 SO, 2 HR

Hernandez 6 IP, 10 H, 6 ER 0 walks, 9 SO, 2 HR

My garden this year... planted tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, okra, and for the first time i went with eggplant

by cowpoke on May 4, 2009 11:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Definitely not worried

But the two homeruns against the M’s is a little rough.

Not bad by any means, though, and when you can beat King Felix it’s a good night.

"Embarrassing admission: I have never, ever, ever been able to see a guy's aura. That's right. I...am an aura-blind American." -Junior, FJM

by Desert Ranger on May 4, 2009 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions

First 6 starts, 08 versus 09

’08 3.32 ERA
’09 2.79 ERA

Sometimes I think folks forget how good Millwood was at the beginning of last season. However, he was pretty much crap after the groin injury in May last year. Seeing players come back early from injuries only to play poorly for a season is pretty much why I’m glad they disabled Hamilton.

4/10/09 - Josh Hamilton's last walk.
"You know a pitching prospect isn't any good if John Daniels doesn't trade him away but keeps him insteaad." - http://crops.mlblogs.com/
"You probably can throw Neftali Feliz on that group of overblown Rangers pitching prospect failures." - http://crops.mlblogs.com/

by DJCahill on May 5, 2009 7:57 AM CDT reply actions