Derrick,

Nice write-up on Clement. Before I make any comments on Clement, I’ll put myself in “wait and see” mode for awhile.

Unfortunately, Clement has had 4+ months of “rehab” to strengthen his shoulder and is only topping out at 88 m.p.h., where his “typical” stuff used to be in the 93-95 m.p.h. range. Shoulder injuries are very tricky, and those muscles don’t just come back from surgery like the muscles surrounding a forearm/elbow do. The therapy course and rehab is very LONG and grueling, sometimes not yielding nearly the results or time-frame that the patient desires.

Chris Carpenter is one of a very select few who have come back from shoulder surgery to throw as well or better than he did previous to his injuries. We can therefore expect his progress to be more predictable than that of Clement.

IF Clement can get the rest of his strength back and use his lower body to generate additional velocity on his pitches, what a bonus to get his arm in the rotation for the stretch run!

Patience and hope are all we have at this stage… still.

It appears that he is throwing the ball for strikes. If you want to pitch for Papa Dunc then you have to throw strikes. Even though the velocity is down that doesn’t mean the ball doesn’t have alot of movement on it though. Major league hitters talk all the time about a guys movement on his fastball not just the speed.

several pitchers have made the adjustment to lower velocity, but it requires precise control. because he’s only hitting high eighties, doesn’t necessarily mean he can’t be effective, but the odds are not good.

i also think mulder should watch hours of jamie moyer tapes. maybe he could re-invent himself in this manner.

Clement has always been known for phenomenal movement on his pitches, but even in the high-80’s he’s not going to be nearly as effective as he knows he can be. A pitcher this young is bound to get frustrated knowing that he’s physically sound (repaired) but incapable of reaching the velocity he did just a couple of years prior.

We’ll just have to wait and see what unfolds over the next few weeks.

Derrick,

I know I should be in wait and see mode but I can’t help but think about how wicked good our pitching staff would be if Clement and Carp can back heathly.

If he’s topping out at 88 after his next few rehabs- then lower your expectations to the “Parisi level”.

Wait and see is always the way to go. At spring training, pitching coach Dave Duncan and Matt Clement both identified the 89-91 mph zone as area Clement could get and pitch effectively. His pitches have enough movement for him to be effective at or about that speed.

dg
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Jamie Moyer is a perfect example of a guy with slow velocity but great movement on his pitches.Some pitchers are so good they can just blow guys away with their high velocity,others though have to pitch smart. Papa Duncans pitching philosophy is perfect for Matt Clement. Duncan teaches his pitchers to throw strikes and pitch to contact. If Clement can pitch smart and trust the Cards great defense then he will be fine.

Some of the games greatest pitchers have not had great velocity. Moyer and Tom Glavine are two that come to mind. I love watching these guys pitch ,because they know how to use both sides of the plate.