Article: What Should The Twins Expect From Byung-Ho Park?

[gunnarthor]

Just saw this thread, very nice write-up.

 

As for expectations, I expect Park to come in second in ROY voting to Buxton, hit 28 HRs and make the all-star team.  

[Jerr]

 

Please explain to me how a guy who strikeout 161 times in 528 at bats facing 85 mph fastballs is supposed to have transferable success facing 93 mph plus fastballs and breaking pitches the same speed as fastballs in the Korean league? 3 - 5 mph difference in pitch speed is a lot of reaction time.If you can't make consistent contact against 86 mph how can you make consistent contact against 92 mph?

 

As the article stated - You have the Target Field center right field factor - not to mention that he hit most of his HR on fastballs and only 7 against 90 plus fastballs - isn't this enough to diminish his plus power factor? If his power is diminished then how do you justify the strikeouts? I just don't see it with this guy it seems like a big long shot and someone just looked at his HR numbers.   

You could have posted that for me, as that is my worry about him. MLB pitchers are not the same "animal".

At least this off season is more exciting than the last "too many"  

[sane]

Please explain to me how a guy who strikeout 161 times in 528 at bats facing 85 mph fastballs is supposed to have transferable success facing 93 mph plus fastballs and breaking pitches the same speed as fastballs in the Korean league? 3 - 5 mph difference in pitch speed is a lot of reaction time.If you can't make consistent contact against 86 mph how can you make consistent contact against 92 mph

Parker explained it very well.

It is not difficult to hit 85 mph fastballs if they are near the middle of the strike zone. My teammates and I hit 85-90 mph fastballs back in the ice age when we played. However, if you swing at those pitches on the corners or OUTSIDE the strike zone, you, me, Park, Adam Brett Walker and A-Rod are going to strike out A LOT!!

 

How many times have you heard that, for a pitcher, LOCATION is more important than velocity. There are pitch locations that are nearly unhittable. If you swing at pitches in those locations, you will likely swing and miss. Do it three times, you will likely strike out. Do it NEVER and you will cut down your strikeouts, DRASTICALLY!

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Just saw this thread, very nice write-up.

 

As for expectations, I expect Park to come in second in ROY voting to Buxton, hit 28 HRs and make the all-star team.  

 

If this happens, next year will be a very good year.  I like your optimism.

[KOHG]

 

Parker explained it very well.
It is not difficult to hit 85 mph fastballs if they are near the middle of the strike zone. My teammates and I hit 85-90 mph fastballs back in the ice age when we played. However, if you swing at those pitches on the corners or OUTSIDE the strike zone, you, me, Park, Adam Brett Walker and A-Rod are going to strike out A LOT!!

 

How many times have you heard that, for a pitcher, LOCATION is more important than velocity. There are pitch locations that are nearly unhittable. If you swing at pitches in those locations, you will likely swing and miss. Do it three times, you will likely strike out. Do it NEVER and you will cut down your strikeouts, DRASTICALLY!

You are correct - location is more important to an extent. However, the slower the pitch the more time you have to react to where the location of that pitch is (pitch recognition). So 161 strikeouts - apparently, he couldn't recognize pitch location when facing 85 mph. Not to mention the fact that high velocity can cause you to get away with pitches every once in awhile that will likely get crushed at 85 mph simply because of reaction time. Not to mention its not like the Korea league is full of Greg Maddux es. I am worried..and the fact that the twins won the bidding war at 12 million makes me more worried that A) it only took 12 million 25 other teams didn't think to bid higher C) 29 years old not much room for growth - he is what he is D) Position value is nothing E) Way to many high strikeout guys as it is.  

[sane]

 

So 161 strikeouts - apparently, he couldn't recognize pitch location when facing 85 mph.

I think it is more likely that he DID recognize the pitch location.

But, rather than TAKING that tough pitch as an experienced MLB hitter would have done, he mistakenly thought he could hit that pitch and failed.

IMO, Patience and discipline were missing, not reaction time.