Comments on: Giants won’t skip Tim Lincecum’s next turn in the rotation

By: halejon

halejon — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 06:00:47 +0000

I don’t think that’s a good comparison. Pettite has always been a crafty, relatively soft-tossing lefty. Lincecum at his best relied much more on being to blow the occasional pitch past someone (or have them cheating fastball and way ahead of what was once the best changeup in the league). Pitchers love to say that velocity isn’t important when they’re missing it, but for power guys it’s just not true unless they can reinvent themselves with plus command.

As for the walks, they have started to creep up since his fastball % has been plummeting (from 65% in 2008 to 55% in 2009 to 40% this year). Offspeed pitches are far less controllable, and he’s throwing more and more of them as his fastball fades, trying to get by on junk and scared to leave one over the plate (not trying to put him down — he’s said as much this year). I would guess he’s trying to pick out the corners a lot more as well with his diminished stuff, when he used to be able to make mistakes with his heater down the middle.

By: Rick Chandler

Rick Chandler — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 05:03:23 +0000

What Lincecum needs is for the Giants to go out and get him six runs in the first three innings, and let him work things out without trying to be too fine. But I think 6 runs is about his total run support all season.

By: IdahoMariner

IdahoMariner — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 04:24:48 +0000

I am sure we can accommodate Timmy and his need for a confidence boost. It’s what we do.

By: mianfr

mianfr — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 04:07:09 +0000

The drop in velocity is concerning, but overdone. Andy Pettite has been pretty darn successful in limited appearances this season, and he’s sitting at like 87 on his fastball now. The real problem is the walks–he’s just loading up the bases. If you can’t throw it over the plate, you’re going to get shelled.

My guess without seeing more than box scores is that they need to take a look at his legwork. It’s the reason a guy of his size was able to become a two time Cy Young winner, and might not be that noticeable without proper measurement (he extends to 120% of his height with that leg kick). That would be the easy solution to why a person’s velocity and control have fallen off a cliff.

By: 49ersgiants4life

49ersgiants4life — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 03:43:14 +0000

I think he needs to get back on the bong rips I think he has been off of them and therefore doesn’t eat as much he has to be 105 soaking wet good thing is the giants can sign him to a cheaper extension

By: captainwisdom8888

captainwisdom8888 — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 02:50:17 +0000

It’s one thing to have an off year, or take somewhat of a step back in your career, but this dude has really fallen off.

Is he lacking the effort and/or desire to get it done? Have opposing teams figured out the blueprints on how to approach this guy? Has he stopped working towards progression altogether?

How bout’ you LAY OFF THE BONG RIPS, KID!?

p.s.- You’re killing me in fantasy and currently have no trade value…