Steven Okert, LHP. DOB: 7/9/1991. 6'3", 210 lbs. B-L, T-L.
College: 9-8, 3.07, 85 IP, 37 BB, 78 K's.
Rookie AZL: 0-0, 0.00, 2 IP, 1 BB, 6 K's.
Short Season: 2-0, 2.36, 26.2 IP, 11 BB, 22 K, GO/AO= 2.90
Okert was the Giants 4'th round draft choice out of Oklahoma where he pitched out of the Sooners' bullpen. BA's pre-draft scouting report has his fastball sitting 90-93, consistently touching 95 and maxing out at 97. It goes on to say that his slider is "death to lefthanded hitters." His delivery is described as "effortless." Some scouts think he can start in the pros. It does look like his walk rates could stand to come down a smidgen. I would say we'll likely see him in the bullpen in SJ or the rotation in Augusta in 2013.
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What are some of the things a pitcher can do to issue fewer walks?
ReplyDeleteThrow not as harder?
Alter mechanics?
Improve mental concentration/toughness?
I would say in most cases more effort= less command. The other big thing is repeatability of mechanics. The more variation there is in arm slot and release point, the less command you have.
DeleteIn that case, with his delivery being effortless, he would need to focus on repeating his mechanics.
DeleteHow does he do that? Is that more a mental issue?
That is something that comes with time and repetition. He needs to find a good release point, and then the pitching coach needs to make sure that he gets out there and sticks to it. It might be best if he starts for Augusta so that he has more innings rather than relieving at San Jose.
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DeleteIt sounds like it's a problem correctable through hard work, unless you are Jonathan Sanchez, I guess.
DeleteWe should then be hopeful with respect to a few of our 'more-heat, less-control' (for now) prospects.
BLSL, you need to remember that like any general population, you will get the boneheads in the group that screws things up. Dirty, for example, screwed up his mechanics in the last WBC because he pitched on the same team as his hero, Johan Santana, and decided to copy Johan's mechanics, not realizing that the mechanics for a shorter man like Johan don't work for a tall guy like Dirty. He stuck to that until the Giants sat him down and made him change. It wasn't a big clue to him that his lack of success wasn't tied to his change. I'm not saying that was all that was necessary, but in his first start after changing back was his no-hitter game.
DeleteI think it would depend on their age. The guys that are new to pitching (Kyle Crick for example) are more highly thought of than guys who have control problems and have been in the system for a few years. But most of the Giants that have control issues are still young so there is a definite reason to be optimistic there
DeleteDo you know if he has any pitchers other than a slider? Might be nice to see him develop another pitch at Augusta
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