“It’s a two-finger grip, like R.A. Dickey and Tim Wakefield, and Steven Wright, maybe. But the way the ball is turned in my hand is a little different. I throw it at the bottom of the horseshoe, whereas I know Dickey and Wakefield threw it at the top of the horseshoe. It feels better coming out of my hand that way, and everybody is different.
“Most of the time I throw it hard, but I do change speeds wth it; I throw some soft ones, too. I throw my harder one at the catcher’s mask and let it drop down in the strike zone. My slower one, I kind of aim at the umpire’s mask and let it drop down. So my focal point differs. I try to have a feel for the release, but once it’s gone it does it’s own thing.”
snip
“The knuckleball is just different. Even if you’re just playing catch with it in the bullpen, guys will gather around to watch. Sometimes it’s hard to keep a straight face when I’m throwing it. One will go off the catcher’s knee, or maybe his mask, and guys will start laughing behind me. I’m trying to be serious, but it’s hard not to smile. It’s definitely a fun pitch to throw.”
Source: David Laurila, FanGraphs
Jannis had nice success in Hi-A last year but got knocked around in his brief exposure to Double-A. His is a longshot story but most of us root for the underdog and after the success we saw with Dickey, why the heck not? I’m glad he’s in the system.
*****
If you prefer longer articles, that’s our specialty here at Mets360. Just click on “Perspectives” or “Minor Leagues” or “History” on the grey menu bar above this article’s headline and you will be taken to a list of over 2,500 articles written since the beginning of 2010.
If you enjoy the quick hitters, click on “Quotes” in the same menu bar to see our archive.
*****
Ya nevuh know!
Per RA Dickey—give it a shot.