Comments on: Pittsburgh Pirates 2013 Top Prospects: #11 – Clay Holmes

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:06:41 +0000

I’ve seen Holmes a few times, and had pictures from each time. The “smooth, clean delivery” observation came from my notes from instructs last year.

I reviewed the pictures and the notes from each of his starts. There was definitely a difference in his stride between instructs and one of his starts in early July. His stride was shorter in July. However, he looked more “cartwheel-esque” in the instructs photo, when he had a longer stride.

Also, the first outing when I saw him during Spring Training he had a smooth, low effort delivery.

It might be a situation where it depends on when you saw him. I know that in reviewing John Eshleman’s reports from State College he had some inconsistent outings. In one outing he struggled with command, and in the other he looked great. Based on some of the reviews I’ve read in the last week, and reviewing the photos today, it seems that his delivery and stride has changed since Spring Training.

By: jg941

jg941 — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 22:29:18 +0000

So, the guy over at Dr. Strangeglove rates Holmes at #26, and spends an entire paragraph on his “absurd” “comical” “cartwheel-esque” “too short stride” “loss of force” “arm doing all the work” mechanics and delivery, ending with:

“If Holmes avoids serious injuries to both his shoulder and elbow with this delivery, I will be very surprised. It is hard for me to take him too seriously as a prospect unless his mechanics are overhauled.”

Your conclusion was that “he’s got a smooth, clean delivery.”

You sure you guys are looking at the same pitcher?

By: Lee Young

Lee Young — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:24:08 +0000

I agree Happydude. I heard just the opposite about his delivery.

By: Happydude1

Happydude1 — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:48:10 +0000

When I saw him pitch last summer, the few changeups he threw looked like they were cutting, probably due to his arm angle. I’m not sure if this is good, bad, or indifferent, but it might make his change a more effective pitch against righties than lefties.

When I saw his mechanics, smooth and clean weren’t exactly the words that came to mind. I will say, however, that because of his short stride and high arm angle, there’s a ton of tilt on his fastball, making it very difficult to square up. I fastball that is that “downhill” is a huge asset to have.