This Braves pitcher is hoping to have a big season.
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Video Transcript
All right.
All right.
So Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ronaldo Lopez has dealt with velocity concerns in spring training.
So Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ronaldo Lopez has dealt with velocity concerns in spring training.
he’s been like in the high eighties, low nineties with his fastball for the most part.
he’s been like in the high eighties, low nineties with his fastball for the most part.
And this was a guy who used to throw in the mid-nineties.
And this was a guy who used to throw in the mid-nineties.
I mean, in twenty twenty-four, he was in the seventy-third percentile in fastball velocity.
I mean, in twenty twenty-four, he was in the seventy-third percentile in fastball velocity.
That was the same season that saw him pitch to a one nine nine ERA, but he missed most of last year.
That was the same season that saw him pitch to a one nine nine ERA, but he missed most of last year.
He made only one start last year in twenty twenty-five.
He made only one start last year in twenty twenty-five.
So I think the fact that there are some velocity questions after such a long injury absence makes sense.
So I think the fact that there are some velocity questions after such a long injury absence makes sense.
Like, I don’t think it’s that surprising.
Like, I don’t think it’s that surprising.
With that being said, there is some concern.
With that being said, there is some concern.
Anytime a guy’s velocity drops, even in spring training, it’s a little concerning.
Anytime a guy’s velocity drops, even in spring training, it’s a little concerning.
So according to a recent report, he apparently– he reportedly made a mechanical adjustment, and the velocity has now returned.
So according to a recent report, he apparently– he reportedly made a mechanical adjustment, and the velocity has now returned.
And I, I write more about it here in the article, but basically, the– it may seem surprising that one, one adjustment can make that difference, but it can.
And I, I write more about it here in the article, but basically, the– it may seem surprising that one, one adjustment can make that difference, but it can.
It can.
It can.
I can tell you, I used to pitch a little bit, and although pitching doesn’t really Or, pitching mechanics don’t always get discussed by, by fans or by media members or whatever, they are so important.
I can tell you, I used to pitch a little bit, and although pitching doesn’t really Or, pitching mechanics don’t always get discussed by, by fans or by media members or whatever, they are so important.
Like one simple mechanical fix can unlock more velocity.
Like one simple mechanical fix can unlock more velocity.
It can unlock better pitch command, just like arm placement.
It can unlock better pitch command, just like arm placement.
Some guys, like, they might be a little right here.
Some guys, like, they might be a little right here.
If they go right here, they find more consistency or the other way.
If they go right here, they find more consistency or the other way.
It doesn’t matter.
It doesn’t matter.
so I, I don’t know what the adjustment was here.
so I, I don’t know what the adjustment was here.
It wasn’t given.
It wasn’t given.
It, it could’ve been something not even, you know, with the arm motion, it could’ve been something else.
It, it could’ve been something not even, you know, with the arm motion, it could’ve been something else.
Either way, this is realistic.
Either way, this is realistic.
And look, he doesn’t have to be throwing the fastball as hard as he did a few years ago.
And look, he doesn’t have to be throwing the fastball as hard as he did a few years ago.
If it can just be a reliable pitch for him that can help off spit– off spit.
If it can just be a reliable pitch for him that can help off spit– off spit.
Offset his breaking pitches, then Ronaldo Lopez can be a good pitcher.
Offset his breaking pitches, then Ronaldo Lopez can be a good pitcher.
And given all the Braves’ injury concerns right now, they need a good– another good pitcher in that rotation.
And given all the Braves’ injury concerns right now, they need a good– another good pitcher in that rotation.
Chris Sale is their guy.
Chris Sale is their guy.
Besides him right now, there is a lot of questions.
Besides him right now, there is a lot of questions.
So we’ll see how Lopez performs this year, but the Braves certainly, certainly need him to pitch at a high level.
So we’ll see how Lopez performs this year, but the Braves certainly, certainly need him to pitch at a high level.