Now Jose Fernandez is going to need Tommy John surgery

[the 'stache]

It's just frightening.

Greg Maddux didn't have the raw stuff most of these "aces" now do, but he had about a 20 year career because he was smart, and he had incredible careers.

[pgellis]

I think that pitch counts have lead to this problem. Pitchers are babied today with pitch counts and not throwing between starts. How can they build up strength in their arms with these limitations?

Back before pitch counts, starters were expected to pitch 8-9 innings. It was about innings, not pitches. Let these starters throw 150+ pitches a game. Long toss between starts, etc., etc.

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by pgellis

I think that pitch counts have lead to this problem. Pitchers are babied today with pitch counts and not throwing between starts. How can they build up strength in their arms with these limitations?

Back before pitch counts, starters were expected to pitch 8-9 innings. It was about innings, not pitches. Let these starters throw 150+ pitches a game. Long toss between starts, etc., etc.

I agree.

Another problem is they way they pitch when they are kids, they all try to throw 90MPH in LL and HS

[Beatles Guy]

Originally Posted by Jim65

I agree.

Another problem is they way they pitch when they are kids, they all try to throw 90MPH in LL and HS

I agree with this and the fact that they start throwing a curve ball at too young an age. It puts horrible strain on an undeveloped arm.

[SmokyBurgess]

Originally Posted by pgellis

I think that pitch counts have lead to this problem. Pitchers are babied today with pitch counts and not throwing between starts. How can they build up strength in their arms with these limitations?

Back before pitch counts, starters were expected to pitch 8-9 innings. It was about innings, not pitches. Let these starters throw 150+ pitches a game. Long toss between starts, etc., etc.

Maybe Leo Mazzone had the right program in Atlanta. Glavine, Maddux and many others seemed to fair well in their careers.

[packs]

I think it's the mentality of the pitchers, like some others have suggested.

Everyone thinks they have to throw hard. I can't think of a pitcher who's gone down that is a contact pitcher. I feel like pitchers today need to be taught to pitch to contact in certain situations. If no one's on base, you don't have to strike a guy out. If there's a man on first, the double play is your friend.