Brent Strom explains "Amicable Divorce" with Madison Bumgarner

The Diamondbacks Pitching Coach Discussed a Broad Range of Topics

Diamondbacks Brent Strom addressed the media on May 9th and answered a broad range of questions.  The cerebral and engaging Strom is always a pleasure to talk to, and he is a trove of knowledge that anyone interested in the finer arts of pitching will enjoy listening and reading about.  Here is a synopsis of that media session. You can also listen to the full audio at the Sound Cloud link below and hear Strom in his own words.  

Why couldn't Madison Bumgarner adjust?

Strom said this was a tough topic to discuss as in the past "We kind of danced around the raindrops a little bit. I have a great deal of respect for this guy and what he did. A lot of times I think highly successful people are resistant to change."

Strom said the changes he tried to make just didn't take and they had an "Amicable Divorce". Those changes included attempts to work on the mechanical side and then on pitch selection, but they just couldn't get off the mark.

Take aways from Brandon Pfaadt Debut

Note: The sections on Pfaadt were just prior to his second major league start, which went poorly. 

Pfaadt is a strike thrower who didn't run away from throwing strikes despite getting hit hard. Strom is impressed with his poise  and maturity and the way he handled the rough outing. 

Pfaadt's stuff

He has a unique arm slot, which is a bit lower, differentiating himself from most right handers. He gets good carry on the fastball and has a sweeper (slider) and a changeup.  Strom said that the changeup was a little too firm in the previous outing, (Pfaadt gave up a homer on a 90 MPH changeup) so they worked in the bullpen session this week to take a little velocity off that pitch. 

Pfaadt's Disdain for Walks

Pfaadt, being a strike thrower hates walking batters, as evidenced by his career minor league track record. But against' major league hitters he'll need to learn when to stay out of the middle of the zone or pitch around a batter and go after the next guy. 

Note: This problem remained for Pfaadt and was even worse last night as he twice left pitches over the heart of the plate against Jorge Soler, who tagged him for a three-run homer and a two-run homer. 

Team Walk Rate

The team has cut down the walk rate over the last couple of weeks. Strom mentioned Merrill Kelly's improvement in this area and of course Zac Gallen doesn't walk anybody.  But it's not just them. Over the last 14 days the D-backs walk rate of 5.4% is the second lowest in MLB behind only the Seattle Mariners. 

Tommy Henry

They've intentionally had Henry dial back his fastball velocity from 94 to 91-92 because he has much more control throwing at that velocity.  The focus has been on the glove side, controlling the torso to control the ball. 

Ryne Nelson

Nelson had some of his best stuff of the year in his last outing, (95-97 MPH fastball) They've had him make an adjustment by holding his glove closer to his body rather than away from his body. This helps remove tension and allows him to have a more direct line in his delivery. He was able to start getting his breaking pitches over the plate in the 4th and 5th innings of his outing. He gets a little too fastball happy early in outings, and needs to find his breaking ball earlier in outings. 

Trying to do too much

Many of the young pitchers are trying to do too much. Their issues are not from lack of effort, it's actually too much effort.  The breaking balls are actually more effective after they are a little fatigued.  Strom's mantra has always been "Lets see how easily we can throw the ball hard"

Pitch Timer

They had to make an adjustment  early in the season by getting the catchers to get the signals to the pitchers a little quicker. A lot of hitters are putting one foot in the box at 10 seconds and timing to look up at the pitcher exactly at eight seconds, putting pressure on the pitcher.  Sometimes the catcher was waiting until that moment to give the sign, but they're ahead of that now 

Jose Ruiz

Ruiz has been a much more effective pitcher since joining the Diamondbacks. He gave up nine earned runs in 3.2 IP with the White Sox. Since joining the D-backs he's given up just four earned runs 12 innings, (3.00 ERA) walking just one and striking out 12 batters.  Strom worked with him to increase his extension from 5'6" to about 6'.  He's throwing his sinker 97 MPH again, and Strom referred to his curveball as "plus plus". He's also been throwing a good changeup.  Strom credited the analytics department with feeding him information that he then was able to work with to make changes with Ruiz. 

Scott McGough

He's been tentative with the split finger. He's not being as aggressive as he needs to be. The ball he used in Japan is pre tacked, but the balls here in the USA are a little different. He's still getting used to it, although this adjustment has been referenced numerous times now since spring training. 

First Pitch Strikes in High Leverage

Strom emphasized that throwing first pitch strikes for high leverage relievers was the most important thing. Just three of the D-backs relievers have better than league average 60% first pitch strike rates however. (Players in bold are on current roster)

Baseball Reference

Kyle Nelson

He's a gamer and has a football mentality, having been a quarterback in high school. He has an aggressive approach and attacks hitters. The vertical drop on his slider, (which he throws a whopping 66% of the time)  has increased a lot working with Strom over the last two years.  Strom told a story of what he calls a "Zero Spot" breaking ball, which is a ball that lands right on top of home plate. Clayton Kershaw does that really well, and Nelson recognized what Strom was trying to get him to do after seeing Kershaw pitch. Nelson's strikeout rate is way up from previous seasons.  

Andrew Chafin

They've been asking a lot of Andrew Chafin, giving him a high workload. He gives everything he has, and asking him to be the closer was something he didn't know he was going to be asked to do. He's confident Chafin will continue to pitch well. 

Zac Gallen

One of his biggest attributes is he quickly recognizes what's working and what's not, and makes quick adjustments. But he might bring a pitch that wasn't working early back later in the game.

Here is the Sound Cloud Link for the full 23 minute audio. A great drive time listen