It verges on an impossibility that Tillman, who has been pitching all his life, and professionally for the last several years, has just begun to discover a two-seam fastball. Most kids begin throwing this pitch in Little League. How a two-seam fastball is "developmental" at this stage of Tillman's career is beyond me.

When did the two-seamer fall out of a pitcher's standard repetiore? I am not a negative troll, but am completely befuddled (and more so saddened) that Tillman does not have command of a two-seamer -- one the most basic , yet effective pitches.

...............................................................................................
Jeff Z's reply: I'm nearly two decades removed from my Little League days Jake, but nobody I played with or against was throwing a two-seam fastball. But again, that was a long time ago.

Klein looked good. He was a one inning pitcher for most of the season, so I think he got tired in the last inning, which started with a leadoff walk. He was able to throw his off-speed pitches for strikes. He needs better command with this fastball, which topped out at 93.

If Tillman ever makes it back to the Bigs for any length of time,he better have something other than his straight as an arrow 88mph semi-fastball.
At the rate he gives up home runs, he'll end up beating Jaime Moyer's record by about 24 years.

well, it took an era north of 8 for him to finally succumb to the org pleas to get another pitch. It's either an out pitch or a pitch with a different look that makes your other stuff look better. The kid has a good curve, a decent change, and not letting the 4 seamer fly flattened that thing right out. I'd like to know how griffin lets the guy get up here. I mean, shouldn't the Os be teaching certain pitches as a rule in developing these guys?
But hey, it took Hughes a demotion and a year in the bullpen to figure out he needed another pitch.
I don't care if that kid spends the next 2 months in AAA getting that stuff figured out. There's no shame being down there if you come back different and effective.

I think this is a positive article/development. Instead of condemning Tillman or the coaching staff, I think we should be happy that they're trying to fix the problem to an otherwise potentially great starter. His lack of movement on the 4seam is why he's back in the minors. If he takes this year to figure out a 2seam, cutter or both, then I think the next time he comes up, he won't go back. Sounds like a perfect solution to me..

I'm with Jeff - no kid throws a true 2-seam fastball. It's too hard to control, anyway.

Jeff, Jake,

I went to a high school in Anne Arundel County with a fairly well know baseball coach that had a lot of success in the 80's and mid 90's. When I was pitching at the JV level we were all taught 2 seam, 4 seam, curve and sliders. However, it was expected that to make the team as a Freshman you'd better already been throwing them. So I'm guessing most 12-14 year olds should already be throwing a 2 seam. Thats not to say a 14 year old has perfected the 2 seam at this age, however, it is beyond me that Tillman, 22 and in professional baseball, is just now learning a 2-seam, truly the most basic pitch in a pitchers repertoire.

Mike and Jeff:

Thanks for your thoughful comments. My questions were intended to be rhetorical since there are, to my knowledge, only two correct ways to throw a fastball: two-seamer and four seamer.

Mike, like you, I was throwing a two-seamer at an early age (about 10 years old). In fact, my coach taught me a circle change-up when I was 11 years old (although I could not throw it effectively because my hand was too small). Nevertheless, I had at least experimented with the change-up at any early age.

I had assumed that these basic pitches (two-seamer, four seamer, and change-up) were taught early in order to steer players away from throwing curve balls (and thus developing sore arms).

In any event, I hope Tillman developes a two-seamer and further refines a change-up (one the most devastating pitches if thrown properly).

Where are the O's at on signing the Draft picks? any news?

...............................................................................................
Jeff Z's reply: Nope, I've written all the guys that they've agreed to terms with to this point. With UCLA's College World Series run over, that should allow the Orioles to reach deals with the three Bruins that they drafted. And last time I checked, they were close to finalizing deals with a couple of the high school ptichers they drafted, but that's prett ymuch it.

tim,
the broadneck area was fortunate to have a couple of excellent coaches-lou lamedica-being one, two seamers and change-ups were a little league staple.
so how a big leaguer has to learn one is beyond me.
forks,, sinkers, curves, sliders, slips and
spitters were ususally taught later to save wear on elbows. i've often wondered why the o's have so many sore arms

Let's sign some of these little leaguers! I was a catcher in Little League... and Pony League. In LL, half the pitchers could barely get their whole hands around the ball... Besides, a hard-throwing pitcher scares the crap out of little leaguers without needing a second pitch. I somehow suspect Tillman's work on the two-seamer is a bit different but it shows why you can't entirely judge minor league performance based solely on stats, or a team's performance on won-lost record.
There's more going on than meets the eye. That said, Bell has been hitting over .300 this past month... Ironic that the best performing minor league position player plays a position that is being reasonably handled, right now, in the majors... Not great, but reasonably...

This makes me question the Os player development (once again). Why is the need for a two-seamer being recognized only now? Tillman's fastball was just as straight last year.

I think guys drafted as talented as Tillman tend to be able to advance on just 2 or 3 pitches but maybe this will make the difference between his being just a good pitcher and a dominate one.. Zach Britton is working hard on a changeup even to using it in game situations to get his confidence built up asap even if it cost him some extra runs early on in this year.. This is why I prefer Andy to stick with the plan and not bringing a guy up until his numbers force the team to consider him.. I know Machado will be take a lot of time and Klein was pitching in the CWS but I am concerned with the slowness of most of our top 15 picks so far..