Somebody has to know the answer to this. There must be a reason why he's drastically reduced his use of the curve. My guess remains is they think it's a root cause of the blisters.
I hear you, but to play devils advocate, players need to realize this is a business. Is Kris Bryant pissed at the Cubs and looking to leave ASAP? Maybe Vlad should go speak to his trusted Union Rep. They were part of the collective bargaining process that resulted in the current rules.
I feel really dumb. Whatever though - I'm a big boy and can admit when I'm ignorant. I love this board - it teaches me something almost every day. September call up doesn't burn an option? (c'mon - there's got to be something about the September call up).
What is the harm in bringing him up for a cup of coffee in September if we're out of the race? I thought that didn't affect his options or years of control.
If you're not pulling him up this year and plan on starting him at 3rd next year, then you're following the Trout, Bryant, Acuna template and leaving him in the minors until late April 2019.
1.3 WAR in 365 PA's in 2016 with a league average bat (wRC+ of 100).
He fell off a cliff after the 2010 season (4.7 WAR) and has been a backup player ever since, while chasing 3000 hits and/or Rose's all time profession hit record.
He was an incredible player. It's been a pleasure watching him for the past 18 years.
Not to add gas to the fire, but Adam Ottavino used the slow mo camera in a warehouse this offseason to make tangible improvements (sorry for posting this again).
https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/adam-ottavino-rebuilt-himself-in-a-vacant-manhattan-storefront/
Then again - maybe he just borrowed a bottle of the sticky stuff from Houston too (I'm just making a joke - you're triggered here).
I mean yes I would.
However, substance or no substance, a drastic change in your pitch usage could partially explain the newfound success. That's all I'm saying (I'll stop now).
Thought this was a pretty cool article (for once) from fangraphs.
https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/adam-ottavino-rebuilt-himself-in-a-vacant-manhattan-storefront/