What the Hell is Going on with Webb

I know that Webb isn't a prospect, but I own him in a league and I would have loved to know that he visited Dr. Doom back in December! It looks like Webb is going to start on Friday but Webb's health shut down contract extension talks and this quote below explains why:

According to Rosenthal's sources, "Webb couldn't reach the standard of health required for an insurance company to provide several million dollars worth of coverage. After Webb failed several physicals, apparently in June, the team apparently broke off contract negotiations and yanked their three-year, $54 million offer off the table".

I have read articles blaming his velocity on his struggles but looking at historical Pitch F/X data, that isn't the case. I have pulled data from his start this season, his first start in 2008, and a start late in the 2008 season:


4/6/2009- Avg Fastball Speed:87.56 MPH with a Max Speed of 88.6 MPH
4/5/2008- Avg Fastball Speed:88.15 MPH with a Max Speed of 89.8 MPH
8/5/2008- Avg Fastball Speed:87.54 MPH with a Max Speed of 89.4 MPH

As you can see his velocity is very consistent from last season. In April of last season he pitched 35 innings going 5-0 with an ERA of 1.80, so he isn't known as a slow starter and his MPH is there so I guess it has to be the movement of his sinker that is the problem. One thing to watch is his K rate as the season progresses as the final 3 months of 2008 his K/9 declined:

July: 7.7 K/9
Aug: 7.1 K/9
Sept: 6.0 K/9

Other News:
The #1 prospect for the Seattle Mariners, SS Carlos Triunfel, broke his Tibia and could miss the rest of the season.

Pitch F/X data for Brett Anderson's Debut

Madison Bumgarner was impressive in 1st start of the season going 6 innings giving up 2 hits and fanning 5 for the San Jose Giants.

Wieters faced David Price in Durham today and he struck out and walked vs. Price and went 0-4 in the game with 2 K's. Price went 3 2/3, 4 H, 2BB, 2 ER, 4 K, 1 HR, 74 pitches. This may knock these two superstars back to reality for a brief moment.

Really funny Matt Wieters Facts Blog