Interesting article. So, if, in fact, there has been an orchestrated change in pitching development by the Braves, is this Hefner's input? If not, who started it?
I will always harken to Leo Mazzone's cardinal rule: PITCHING STARTS WITH STRIKE ONE. It's frustrating to watch many in the current rotation start off an encounter behind in the count. And the ensuing lead-off walks are unforgivable. No matter how impressive a pitcher's 'stuff' is, if he can't command it he's in for a stressful game and, like we've seen lately with Elder and Holmes, has a pitch count >70 by the 4th inning.
They moved on from director of pitching development Paul Davis after the 2025 season, so I'd guess it's a combined effort from whoever is in charge now and Jeremy Hefner.
Thanks for the insight. In today’s MLB, it may be the most critical element to successfully navigating the regular season given the prevelance of pitching injuries and over-valuiing of pitchers, particularly starters. Do we know what approach the Brewers use? Milwaukee’s pitching development appears to the most effective in baseball.
What was the development model when Leo was the pitching coach? I think I remember a similar philosophy with John Smoltz when he came over from the Tigers.
Don Shula went to the Super Bowl once with a run-the-ball team, throwing about 10-12 passes a game. Then, he went to the Super Bowl with a team that threw the ball 40+ times a game. Why? In the first case, he was given 3 GREAT running backs and a first class offensive line suited for the run. In the second case, he was given Dan Marino. Don Shula was the smartest NFL coach of his day because he adapted his game plan to the strengths of his players. Therefore, if what you say is correct, it SHOULD mean greater success.
A sweeper is a version of a slider that doesn't drop a lot but has a lot of horizontal movement. They work really well against the same handedness hitters, because it moves away from them out of the zone, but they're really poor against opposite-handed hitters
Interesting article. So, if, in fact, there has been an orchestrated change in pitching development by the Braves, is this Hefner's input? If not, who started it?
I will always harken to Leo Mazzone's cardinal rule: PITCHING STARTS WITH STRIKE ONE. It's frustrating to watch many in the current rotation start off an encounter behind in the count. And the ensuing lead-off walks are unforgivable. No matter how impressive a pitcher's 'stuff' is, if he can't command it he's in for a stressful game and, like we've seen lately with Elder and Holmes, has a pitch count >70 by the 4th inning.
They moved on from director of pitching development Paul Davis after the 2025 season, so I'd guess it's a combined effort from whoever is in charge now and Jeremy Hefner.
Thanks for the insight. In today’s MLB, it may be the most critical element to successfully navigating the regular season given the prevelance of pitching injuries and over-valuiing of pitchers, particularly starters. Do we know what approach the Brewers use? Milwaukee’s pitching development appears to the most effective in baseball.
What was the development model when Leo was the pitching coach? I think I remember a similar philosophy with John Smoltz when he came over from the Tigers.
Oh gosh, that long ago, I'm not sure. Under Paul Davis is when they were doing the 4S/slider stuff and playing around with sweepers.
Don Shula went to the Super Bowl once with a run-the-ball team, throwing about 10-12 passes a game. Then, he went to the Super Bowl with a team that threw the ball 40+ times a game. Why? In the first case, he was given 3 GREAT running backs and a first class offensive line suited for the run. In the second case, he was given Dan Marino. Don Shula was the smartest NFL coach of his day because he adapted his game plan to the strengths of his players. Therefore, if what you say is correct, it SHOULD mean greater success.
Now i'm confused.
What is a Sweeper ?
Glad somebody else is watching Davis Polo. Suddenly he's a soft tossing Strikeout Pitcher.
A sweeper is a version of a slider that doesn't drop a lot but has a lot of horizontal movement. They work really well against the same handedness hitters, because it moves away from them out of the zone, but they're really poor against opposite-handed hitters
Thanks. Lindsay.
I thought it was another name for a slider. But its a version of a Slider.
Cedric De Grandpre promoted to Colummbus AA
Hackenburg promoted to Gwinett AAA
Good luck. Atlanta needs fresh.arms.
De Grandpre impresses me as a Reliever with Strikeout stuff