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Re-Post – May 1, 2017
Original Article – February 18, 2017
I see where the Mets have already announced that Noah Syndergaard is their opening day starter. I don’t have a problem with this as he proved last year that he was one of the top pitchers in baseball even getting two MVP votes as well as placing 8th in the Cy Young balloting.
What I am worried about is that Syndergaard might be placing himself in jeopardy by what he did during the off-season. He gained 15-17 of pounds of muscle and wants to add to his velocity. One pitcher, Alex Reyes of the St. Louis Cardinals, who also throws over 100 miles per hour, sustained an injury to his elbow and underwent Tommy John surgery. These young pitchers are falling in love with the fast ball and many of them are injuring there elbows causing them to lose over 1 1/2 years of their careers in Major League baseball.
Syndergaard is putting himself in jeopardy and sooner or later will end up needing surgery to his elbow. We are losing very talented pitchers who when they return from Tommy John are not the same. As mentioned on the MLB Channel recently there is an epidemic on injuries to Major League pitchers and something has to be done. Going to a 6-man rotation might help as well as teaching these pitchers how to pitch.
When pitchers who throw between 85-90 miles win on a consistent basis and even get elected to the Hall of Fame, tells you that throwing 100 mph does not guarantee that you will win consistently. Throwing the baseball up and down, side to side will get you many more outs as well as reducing stress from their arms. We all love 100 miles per hour fastballs but watching Bartolo Colon pitch until 50 shows you what can be accomplished and how long your career can last when you learn how to pitch. It might not be flashy but at least he will be helping some team, while the others are languishing on the disabled list.
As for Noah I will pray that he will not fall victim to this epidemic and will continue to enjoy watching him pitch.
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