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Preventing and Evaluating Baseball Pitching Injuries

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The Curveball: All You Need To Know, From the Wrist Action To the Age

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Why are there so many baseball pitching injuries during spring training and at the beginning of the season? When is the right age for a pitcher to learn the curveball? Is there any risk in converting a position player to the pitching mound? Baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli discusses these topics and more during Season 4’s inaugural episode of Baseball Pitching: The Fix.

Topics covered:

Spring Training Pitching Injuries

Over 40 pitchers suffered arm ailments in MLB spring training camps (at least, that’s by my unofficial count — see the list of pitchers injured here). Why were there so many, and why ARE there so many when pitchers start throwing again after the offseason break? What can pitchers — of all ages, at all levels — do to prevent getting injured at the beginning of workouts? Angel Borrelli provides answers and solutions.

Converting Position Players To Pitchers

One of the wounded pitchers this year hasn’t been a pitcher for very long. Jordan Schafer — who spent most of his pro career as an outfielder — suffered a UCL tear while pitching in the St. Louis Cardinals’ camp. Schafer’s unfortunate injury is a prime example of the risk involved in converting position players to the pitching mound. Angel explains why the transition can be dangerous, why some players should not be converted, and why pitchers should specialize in pitching at an early age.

All About the Curveball

In every episode of Season 4, we will be providing science-based facts and tips for coaches — call it “Science On the Bump.” The first topic we tackle is the curveball. Utilizing her background in kinesiology and body movement, Angel explains how the curveball is thrown, how it can be taught, and what age a pitcher should start learning to throw it. You may be surprised to find out the answers.

Hope you enjoy listening to the first episode of Season 4, and hope you learn something. If you did, please pass along the podcast to your fellow pitchers, coaches, and parents. And, if you listen to the show on iTunes, please consider leaving a review and/or rating the show (with 5 stars, we hope!).

Have a question you’d like answered on a future episode? Tweet it to @fixingpitchers on Twitter or send a message on the Fixing Pitchers Facebook page.

How To Avoid the Verducci Effect

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Is there a way pitchers can avoid the Verducci Effect without an innings limit? Should you consider data in predicting injuries? Can Jarrod Parker ever pitch again?

In the first episode of Season 3 Episode 1 of The Fix, baseball pitching motion expert Angel Borrelli explains

  • Why Jarrod Parker needs a third Tommy John surgery, and how he can avoid a fourth
  • How the Verducci Effect can be avoided with some simple math
  • Whether the Verducci Effect holds any weight
  • Why statistics are an imprecise way to predict pitching injuries

Additionally, Angel dispels three myths she hears from pitchers, coaches, and parents this time of year, and, finally, she provides a dead-simple tip to improve command.

In future posts over the next week we will cover all the topics discussed in depth. In the meantime, listen to the podcast and sign up for updates.

Want to learn more about Angel? Visit her website GymScience.com.

A Year Ago – Jarrod Parker

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Last May, Jarrod Parker broke his elbow — the epicondyle, to be precise — during a minor league rehab start recovering from his second Tommy John surgery. He did not have a third UCL replacement surgery last year, instead opting for non-surgical rehabilitation.

As you already know, Parker again broke his epicondyle and will now go under the knife for the third time.

Could the injury have been avoided?

Last May, I discussed Parker’s first elbow break, why it happened, and how a third TJ surgery could be avoided with pitching motion expert Angel Borrelli. The sound quality is not great but the content is spectacular and worth a listen. It’s too bad that Jarrod Parker didn’t hear it, it might have saved him from his most recent break.

Also in this episode is a full analysis of Drew Smyly’s shoulder woes, and how he might have reversed them.