Probably not.
Derrick Goold has an interesting look at P.J. Walters, the rich man’s Trey Hearne circa 2006.
In trying to describe the unexpected break and counterintuitive spin of P.J. Walters’ best pitch — the reason he’s climbed three levels this season — a few Cardinals officials fell just short of calling it a trick pitch.
It might look like one. It may veer like one. But …
“It’s not a screwball,” Walters said earlier this season. “It’s just my changeup. I don’t throw a screwball.”
Goold also confirms what I’ve heard others say who’ve seen him, he’s a real soft-tosser, topping out sitting at 87. AA should make or break him with that velocity. Regardless, 143 K’s to 33 walks in 137.2 professional innings is something to call home and tell your mother about. Perhaps with that sort of pinpoint control and his bag of tricks he can survive.
At this point I would like to gloat and remind you all I pegged him as a sleeper before the season got started. Even I get it right sometimes. Root for him.
Filed under: P.J. Walters
erik
azruavatar
fewgoodcards
roarke49
theredbaaron
He does a really good job of hiding the ball during his delivery also. You know there are quite a few soft tossing pitchers with good command in the big leagues. Here are some pics of his delivery:
http://whiteyball.wordpress.com/2007/07/26/pj-walters/
Yes, love the gyroball, even though, nobody knows what it is, where it comes from, what it does, or how it works. we just know its good, its like the arnoldi cruz of pitches.
I sure hope he sits at 87mph and doesn’t top out at 87mph….
just a note on walters,I have seen him pitch more than anyone else.he will sit at 86-88 topping at 89-90. the other night in arkansas thats exactly where he was. the big difference between him & alot of other pitchers is he cant pop a 93-94 in there when he wants to.