Christian Vazquez

[cp176]

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[TD]BLAKE SWIHART IS HAVING THROWING PROBLEMS, BUT RED SOX (AND BLAKE SWIHART) SAY THERE’S NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT

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[TD=align: right]02.17.17 at 1:49 pm ET[/TD]

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By Rob Bradford

http://fullcount.weei.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Blakeswihart-400x368.jpgBlake Swihart (Nick Turchiaro/USA Today Sports)

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Not a lot of people were around to witness the uncomfortable bullpen session Thursday.But for those who were there, they saw Blake Swihart show an inability to accurately throw the ball back to Rick Porcello on too many occasions. Pitching coach Carl Willis saw it, as did manager John Farrell and catching instructor/bullpen coach Dana LeVangie.

Friday rolled around and while the problems weren’t as dramatic, the inconsistency in Swihart’s throws continued, leading to a collection of media gathered around the catcher to ask him about the issues before he left JetBlue Park for the day.

“I”m not concerned. I’m going back to catching. In the outfield you have a longer arm swing, a longer arm movement. I’m just trying to shorten it back up. They are misfiring, but I’m not too worried about it,” Swihart said. “It’s just a different arm movement. But I’m working every day to shorten it up, get it short and still have good velocity on my ball. … It’s more me just feeling bad for the pitcher that I’m throwing to.”

And then, as the reporters peeled off, Swihart offered one more proclamation.

“You guys shouldn’t be worried about me,” he said.

LeVangie wasn’t about to suggest there was nothing to see over the last few days, even saying when asked that Swihart’s problems were “out of the blue” when appearing Thursday.

But the catching coach did offer some optimism after working with Swihart Friday and then seeing the slow transformation from an outfielder’s arm motion to that of a catcher.

“There were a couple of bad throws today, but to be honest with you we talked about some things and he got better at doing it,” LeVangie said. “It’s still not finished, but there are signs he can get better from it. We were just looking at spin, how it was coming out of his hand. At times he throws a little rotational, and at times he’s allowing his glove to dictate where his arm path should be going. We want his glove front side to dictate more of back to front motion so his arm path stays on line better.

“We want him to throw more like a catcher rather than middle infielder, a shortstop or an outfielder. I saw far more better throws today than I saw yesterday. He’s going to learn how to throw as a catcher. That’s what we’re working on.”

Swihart reiterated that the 11 months between the last time he lived life as a catcher and jumping back into it this week was the cause for the throwing hiccup.

“The last time I caught was, what? The first six games of the season last year,” he said, referencing his move to outfield. Swihart added, “I feel fine. I’m not worried and you guys shouldn’t be worried either. I’m working on my craft and I promise the ball is going to get there.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

just read this myself. I think that he will be fine. It is what spring training is all about. One thing it does do is gives all the boston writers something to write about. Also, gives us something baseball related to talk about.

[Fisk]

just read this myself. I think that he will be fine. It is what spring training is all about. One thing it does do is gives all the boston writers something to write about. Also, gives us something baseball related to talk about.

 

This time of year writers are looking for anything to write, especially if it creates doubt or controversy. Anything to get more clicks.

[Station 13]

Definitely click bait.

[southpaw777]

There was plenty of video of Swihart throwing the ball 4 ft over Porcellos head a few times and hopping it back to him...hopefully its nothing, but hes thinking about it. This team is def downplaying it, but make no mistake, its def worth paying attention to.

They say it was from being in Lf but I dont buy that. We will see.

[Station 13]

The players have been in camp just a week and they're making mountain out of a molehill. Typical local media.

He hasn't catch since oh last April?

[Kimmi]

The players have been in camp just a week and they're making mountain out of a molehill. Typical local media.

He hasn't catch since oh last April?

 

It's something to keep an eye on, but it's not something I'm worried about. I think he will be fine in terms of throwing back to the pitcher. Regardless, he will be starting in the season in AAA, which is where he belongs, to focus on his work behind the plate.

 

On the topic of pitch framing or receiving pitches, he said something along the lines of 'I get it, but it's a concept that's out there'. That pretty tells me that he needs some time in AAA to work on his catching skills.

[southpaw777]

The players have been in camp just a week and they're making mountain out of a molehill. Typical local media.

He hasn't catch since oh last April?

 

You dont just chuck the ball that bad back to the pitcher. Im guessing it may be nothing but its def something to watch. Certainly nothing to just blow off as typical media.

He looked absolutely terrible and it was obvious it was getting to him. It wasnt a one bad throw, it was several terrible throws. He looked like The kid in the movie Major League.

[a700hitter]

This issue bears watching. His throws were nowhere near Porcello. That doesn't happen at the professional level.

[notin]

It looks like Swihart might have Mackey Sasser Disease:

 

Or he might be rusty from not having played in the last 9 months....

[Hugh2]

Relax, just get the kid some nudey magazines

[harmony]

Or he might be rusty from not having played in the last 9 months....

Did Blake Swihart work on his defensive skills over the offseason? Did Swihart have any reason to do do?

[southpaw777]

It doesnt matter if he hasnt thrown back to a pitcher in a few months guys...you DONT throw as bad as he did and as much as he did to more than one pitcher without taking notice...

[Fisk]

I'm going to guess he will be fine.

[notin]

I'm going to guess he will be fine.

 

Same.

 

Barring injuries to both Leon and Vazquez, he might not have even seen Boston before July anyway...

[a700hitter]

The catchers yips is a real thing and it does come out of nowhere, and it does resemble what Swihart displayed the other day. Players that experience this deny that there is any problem, so his public denials are meaningless. This will bear watching. Every so often a player will experience this sort of baffling problem. The most famous example was Steve Blass going from World Serie hero to not being able to throw a strike. More recently, it has hit Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblauch.

 

If they see additional signs of this, I would hide the problem in the outfield and let him take his ABs. Maybe it clears up, but I have not heard of cases where this syndrome goes away.

[Spudboy]

The catchers yips is a real thing and it does come out of nowhere, and it does resemble what Swihart displayed the other day. Players that experience this deny that there is any problem, so his public denials are meaningless. This will bear watching. Every so often a player will experience this sort of baffling problem. The most famous example was Steve Blass going from World Serie hero to not being able to throw a strike. More recently, it has hit Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblauch.

 

If they see additional signs of this, I would hide the problem in the outfield and let him take his ABs. Maybe it clears up, but I have not heard of cases where this syndrome goes away.

 

Didn't it go away with Salty? He never really had a great arm while with the Sox but he was able to get the ball back to the mount acceptably as I recall.

 

I think it's just like losing your stroke on a Jumper or a set shot at the free throw line. Repetition should be able to cure the problem. Unless there is a physical issue with his arm or body.

 

Just my thoughts.

 

He belongs at a corner infield or outfield position anyway. His speed and his bat are too valuable to waste at catcher.

 

No need to lecture me on his best value is as a catcher. I've heard it all.

[Fisk]

Didn't it go away with Salty? He never really had a great arm while with the Sox but he was able to get the ball back to the mount acceptably as I recall.

 

I think it's just like losing your stroke on a Jumper or a set shot at the free throw line. Repetition should be able to cure the problem. Unless there is a physical issue with his arm or body.

 

Just my thoughts.

 

He belongs at a corner infield or outfield position anyway. His speed and his bat are too valuable to waste at catcher.

 

No need to lecture me on his best value is as a catcher. I've heard it all.

 

I would work him out at third athletic enough, helps hedge the bet on Pablo.

[harmony]

Didn't it go away with Salty? He never really had a great arm while with the Sox but he was able to get the ball back to the mount acceptably as I recall.

 

I think it's just like losing your stroke on a Jumper or a set shot at the free throw line. Repetition should be able to cure the problem. Unless there is a physical issue with his arm or body.

 

Just my thoughts.

 

He belongs at a corner infield or outfield position anyway. His speed and his bat are too valuable to waste at catcher.

 

No need to lecture me on his best value is as a catcher. I've heard it all.

FanGraphs Depth Charts and Steamer project Blake Swihart, a career 92 wRC+ hitter, with a 2017 wRC+ of 87.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13176&position=C

 

ZiPS projects Swihart, a career 90 OPS+ hitter, with a 2017 OPS+ of 80.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2017-zips-projections-boston-red-sox/

 

Perhaps the rest of the Red Sox lineup will be strong enough to carry those career or projected hitting statistics at third base or elsewhere.

 

For what it's worth, Pablo Sandoval is projected with a 2017 wRC+ of 97 and a 2017 OPS+ of 91 (Brock Holt 88 and 91).

[Fisk]

FanGraphs Depth Charts and Steamer project Blake Swihart, a career 92 wRC+ hitter, with a 2017 wRC+ of 87.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13176&position=C

 

ZiPS projects Swihart, a career 90 OPS+ hitter, with a 2017 OPS+ of 80.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2017-zips-projections-boston-red-sox/

 

Perhaps the rest of the Red Sox lineup will be strong enough to carry those career or projected hitting statistics at third base or elsewhere.

 

For what it's worth, Pablo Sandoval is projected with a 2017 wRC+ of 97 and a 2017 OPS+ of 91 (Brock Holt 88 and 91).

Again my guess is you have never seen him play. Very sweet swing with a line drive bat. You do realize projections are often wrong.

[Fisk]

Very sad you have to keep coming on this board to post projections, and try to dampen opposing teams fans enthusiasm.

[harmony]

Very sad you have to keep coming on this board to post projections, and try to dampen opposing teams fans enthusiasm.

 

Again my guess is you have never seen him play. Very sweet swing with a line drive bat. You do realize projections are often wrong.

Meanwhile, FanGraphs Depth Charts and ZiPS are bullish on the Red Sox chances this year:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&teamid=3

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=Standings#AL-E

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2017-zips-projections-boston-red-sox/

Edited February 19, 2017 by harmony

[southpaw777]

Didn't it go away with Salty? He never really had a great arm while with the Sox but he was able to get the ball back to the mount acceptably as I recall.

 

I think it's just like losing your stroke on a Jumper or a set shot at the free throw line. Repetition should be able to cure the problem. Unless there is a physical issue with his arm or body.

 

Just my thoughts.

 

He belongs at a corner infield or outfield position anyway. His speed and his bat are too valuable to waste at catcher.

 

No need to lecture me on his best value is as a catcher. I've heard it all.

 

He had an inpingement in his shoulder and had surgery

[cp176]

I would work him out at third athletic enough, helps hedge the bet on Pablo.

 

So would I. But I think that the Red Sox saying that he is going to solely focus on his catching says as much about the confidence they really have in Leon and Vazquez going forward.

[Kimmi]

So would I. But I think that the Red Sox saying that he is going to solely focus on his catching says as much about the confidence they really have in Leon and Vazquez going forward.

 

Swihart's value is still the best if he can be a starting catcher. IMO, having Swihart focus on catching has more to do with that than it does about the team's confidence, or lack thereof, in Leon and Vazquez.

 

I think much of Swihart's problem to date is that he hasn't been allowed to properly focus on catching and developing behind the plate. He has been rushed into various situations out of team need.

 

Swihart could probably play a respectable 3B, but for now, I think it would be a mistake to have him start working out at that position. I would like for him to have at least half the season in AAA focusing on just his work behind the plate. It would be nice to see how he can develop. He might surprise some people.

[Fisk]

Swihart's value is still the best if he can be a starting catcher. IMO, having Swihart focus on catching has more to do with that than it does about the team's confidence, or lack thereof, in Leon and Vazquez.

 

I think much of Swihart's problem to date is that he hasn't been allowed to properly focus on catching and developing behind the plate. He has been rushed into various situations out of team need.

Swihart could probably play a respectable 3B, but for now, I think it would be a mistake to have him start working out at that position. I would like for him to have at least half the season in AAA focusing on just his work behind the plate. It would be nice to see how he can develop. He might surprise some people.

 

Of course his value is higher behind the plate, but still think he's a good hedge against Pablo.

[Spudboy]

Swihart's value is still the best if he can be a starting catcher. IMO, having Swihart focus on catching has more to do with that than it does about the team's confidence, or lack thereof, in Leon and Vazquez.

 

I think much of Swihart's problem to date is that he hasn't been allowed to properly focus on catching and developing behind the plate. He has been rushed into various situations out of team need.

 

Swihart could probably play a respectable 3B, but for now, I think it would be a mistake to have him start working out at that position. I would like for him to have at least half the season in AAA focusing on just his work behind the plate. It would be nice to see how he can develop. He might surprise some people.

 

His value is at it best when he is in the box swinging and on the bases running.

 

If keeping him at catcher prevents him from doing these two things for the Sox then his value is not realized at all.

[moonslav59]

Swihart's value is still the best if he can be a starting catcher. IMO, having Swihart focus on catching has more to do with that than it does about the team's confidence, or lack thereof, in Leon and Vazquez.

 

I think much of Swihart's problem to date is that he hasn't been allowed to properly focus on catching and developing behind the plate. He has been rushed into various situations out of team need.

 

Swihart could probably play a respectable 3B, but for now, I think it would be a mistake to have him start working out at that position. I would like for him to have at least half the season in AAA focusing on just his work behind the plate. It would be nice to see how he can develop. He might surprise some people.

 

I agree that Swihart's highest value (here or in trade) is probably going to be as a catcher.

 

I agree, he was rushed (out of necessity) in levels, but he was still catching that year. I'm not sure we can bllame a lack of opportunity to catch on his defensive woes.

 

Age 20: 66 games catching at Greenville (A)

Age 21: 101 games catching at Salem (A+)

Age 22: 97 games catching (81 at AA and 16 at AAA)

Age 23: 100 games catching (83 at MLB and 17 at AAA & AA)

Then 2016.

 

I'm not sure the 83 games at the ML level in 2015 hurt as much as we might think it did, He actually did okay, andif anything, it should have helped his confidence. Had those 83 ML games been at AAA not MLB, he'd have had what looked like a perfect progression in games and levels catching in professional baseball with 2016 or 2017 looking like his year to break into MLB as a catcher, assuming he proved worthy at AAA.

[Kimmi]

Of course his value is higher behind the plate, but still think he's a good hedge against Pablo.

 

Yes, I agree he would be a good hedge against Pablo. I'm just saying that if the Sox want to see what Swihart can become as a catcher, they need to leave him behind the plate.

[Kimmi]

His value is at it best when he is in the box swinging and on the bases running.

 

If keeping him at catcher prevents him from doing these two things for the Sox then his value is not realized at all.

 

Ultimately, I agree. I'd prefer not to give up on him as a catcher yet.

[Kimmi]

I agree that Swihart's highest value (here or in trade) is probably going to be as a catcher.

 

I agree, he was rushed (out of necessity) in levels, but he was still catching that year. I'm not sure we can bllame a lack of opportunity to catch on his defensive woes.

 

Age 20: 66 games catching at Greenville (A)

Age 21: 101 games catching at Salem (A+)

Age 22: 97 games catching (81 at AA and 16 at AAA)

Age 23: 100 games catching (83 at MLB and 17 at AAA & AA)

Then 2016.

 

I'm not sure the 83 games at the ML level in 2015 hurt as much as we might think it did, He actually did okay, andif anything, it should have helped his confidence. Had those 83 ML games been at AAA not MLB, he'd have had what looked like a perfect progression in games and levels catching in professional baseball with 2016 or 2017 looking like his year to break into MLB as a catcher, assuming he proved worthy at AAA.

 

Swihart did an admirable job for us in 2015. I am in no way criticizing him for that season. That said, playing in the big leagues is a little different than playing in AAA in terms of working on development, isn't it? If there are areas of weakness, they can be addressed and focused on easier at the AAA level. I think being rushed up in 2015 slowed his development.

 

Playing left field last year may very well be contributing to his throwing woes this year.