House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves shuffle the bullpen: Touki Toussaint recalled

By Fred Owens

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 14: Pitcher Jesse Biddle #63 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the sixth inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on August 14, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 14: Pitcher Jesse Biddle #63 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the sixth inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on August 14, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 08: Mike Foltynewicz #26 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on May 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

The fault in our Foltynewicz

Mike Foltynewicz’ elbow issues meant he missed spring training and his first four games looked like it. His inability to locate a fastball led to lots of breaking pitches that didn’t break. Those usually get hit hard and did.

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That led to him throwing get-me-over fastballs that joined the breaking pitches or risked giving the catcher a lat strain or dislocated shoulder stretching to try to catch them. Here’s 15 seconds or so of audio of a post-game interview.

He’s right about that. His release point seemed to change with every pitch, and his body looked completely out of control.  When the broadcast put up the side-by-side from 2018 and 2019, it became clear.

Is there a mechanic in the house?

Mechanically Mike’s a different pitcher this season than last, that’s certainly the cause. We aren’t talking a different hand position (though it is) or moving on the rubber, once he begins his motion everything is different.

In 2018 he used a stand tall and fall motion, this season it looks more like a drop-and-drive motion. He looks awkward doing it, lands more stretched out and lower changing his release point and likely affecting velocity.

Pitchers make changes on their own for two reasons, either what they’re doing isn’t working or what they’re doing hurts.  Since the mechanics used in 2018 earned him an All-Star selection and Cy Young votes, we can assume they were working.

He says the elbow’s fine and hasn’t identified anything else – shoulder, back, big toe (don’t laugh, Dizzy Dean’s career ended because of a toe injury).

In the audio clip above, he said he moved away from the things that made him a success. Maybe he should watch this video, the guy has some good points, but he should really grow a beard.

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