tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254020870179058816.post4971682844142691107..comments2024-01-16T03:20:31.952-05:00Comments on <center>For Love of the Nationals </center>: Maya: Where's the heat?David Linthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799942856048821079noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254020870179058816.post-25321508073651626042011-03-18T10:05:32.567-04:002011-03-18T10:05:32.567-04:00I've also heard that the Cuban National Series...I've also heard that the Cuban National Series is the talent level of AAA, as well.<br /><br />So, it seems Maya has AAA down pat. I also expect him to dominate AAA, I just don't know if that success will ever transfer over to the MLB.David Linthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799942856048821079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254020870179058816.post-78063399179591790422011-03-18T09:58:14.345-04:002011-03-18T09:58:14.345-04:00Maya did yesterday what he did a lot of last fall;...Maya did yesterday what he did a lot of last fall; cruise through 3-4 innings, get hammered in the 5th. Riggleman said it best; the 2nd time through a lineup hitters are getting really good swings at his stuff.<br /><br />Dibble said this a lot last season (people may not like the guy but he was an experienced major league pitcher): you can't "show" every pitch in your arsenal in the 1st inning. You need to use different looks to get guys out later on in the game. You show lots of fastballs early in the game, use one type of off speed pitch to get guys out early. Then reach into your arsenal on the 2nd and 3rd time through to show something different. <br /><br />I think this is why the really good starters out there have 4 pitches they can command. Maya seems to have twice that many pitches ... but is he using them all? Is he commanding them? <br /><br />I wouldn't be surprised if he goes down to AAA and goes like 6-1 in his first 8 starts. His stuff seems to confound lesser hitters right now (see DWL performance, about a AAA talent level).Todd Bosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02588001750834983356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254020870179058816.post-36984317548400007532011-03-18T00:44:49.350-04:002011-03-18T00:44:49.350-04:00It might have been change ups... but the 81-85 ran...It might have been change ups... but the 81-85 range was over six straight pitches. So I don't think that was the case.<br /><br />Maybe the Braves TV gun was way off. Either way, Maya's fastball is just lacking something in my eyes. Can't put my finger on it... but it seems hitters tee off on it a lot more than they do his off-speed pitches.David Linthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799942856048821079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254020870179058816.post-76353504699130624262011-03-17T21:03:34.490-04:002011-03-17T21:03:34.490-04:00I'm confused: in Kilgore's running blog of...I'm confused: in Kilgore's running blog of the game he reported Maya being consistently between 88-91 on his fastball, with a few coming in at 92. If he's hitting 92 early in the game in spring training, i'd have no doubt he can possibly push it to 93.<br /><br />Is it possible he was just working on different pitches or changeups when you saw him in the 81-85 range?<br /><br />Btw, I think its clear his entire 2010 can be tossed out in terms of analysis. He was rushed to the MLB, didn't speak english, was in culture shock and was seeing american umpires (and major league hitters) for the first time. You can't overestimate the value of spring training (or minor league seasoning for that matter).<br /><br />I like Maya and think he's a competitor with a ton of different pitches and great confidence. He's not one 1-trick pony.Todd Bosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02588001750834983356noreply@blogger.com