Kyle Hendricks Low Velocity Assassin Splooge Thread

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

His velocity is fine, better than it was at this point last year before he was DL'd and his fastball was dipping down to 84 sometimes. He's consistently 87-89, even touched 90 once in his last start.

As for his changeup if you believe Fangraphs pitch weights his changeup has been even better than last year.

There appear to be two issues: he's throwing his curveball more, which he talked about in spring as something he was working on, but his curveball appears to be very, uh, shitty, and his fastball has gone from a positive value pitch to a negative value pitch, almost entirely because he doesn't appear to be locating it as well as he normally does. That was obviously the issue last night when he just inexplicably lost command of it.

He's fine physically is my guess, his mechanics are a little out of whack. I never understand how to actually read the release point charts on here but what is obvious is that his release points are definitely not where they were especially during the second half last year. He's had stretches like this before and was actually worse in the first half last year than he's been this year. He's been better in the second of half of every season he's been a Cub.

He's gonna be fine. Stop being panicky dipshits. Do you ungrateful sacks of shit not remember what it looked like when Carlos Zambrano struggled?! If a 6th inning meltdown raising your ace's first half era+ to a mere 11% better than league average still is enough to cause panic in these parts I'd say you're just entitled babies.

That's the stuff.

[CBStew]

I don't think it's too soon to start wondering whether Hendricks is broken somehow - indeed, I almost hope so because the alternative is that the league has figured him out.  My eyes tell me that he doesn't have the same stuff he used to have - that ridiculous change is actually hittable now.  Maybe his location just isn't as good - the pitches are the same but he's leaving them over the plate?

In any event, last night was the first time in over a month that he didn't give up a pretty resounding DONG (14 in 15 starts so far), and that was only because he left Rosario to do it for him.  I'm on record as saying that the Professor was my favourite Cub to watch, but at the moment, not so much.  Somebody reassure me.

The only thing I can hang my cat on is that his big brain will somehow adapt and make the next move.

Sorry, Tonker—that's all I got.  Hopefully some statfaggot can find something more tangible point to reassure us.  Hold me.

SPCA

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

His velocity is fine, better than it was at this point last year before he was DL'd and his fastball was dipping down to 84 sometimes. He's consistently 87-89, even touched 90 once in his last start.

As for his changeup if you believe Fangraphs pitch weights his changeup has been even better than last year.

There appear to be two issues: he's throwing his curveball more, which he talked about in spring as something he was working on, but his curveball appears to be very, uh, shitty, and his fastball has gone from a positive value pitch to a negative value pitch, almost entirely because he doesn't appear to be locating it as well as he normally does. That was obviously the issue last night when he just inexplicably lost command of it.

He's fine physically is my guess, his mechanics are a little out of whack. I never understand how to actually read the release point charts on here but what is obvious is that his release points are definitely not where they were especially during the second half last year. He's had stretches like this before and was actually worse in the first half last year than he's been this year. He's been better in the second of half of every season he's been a Cub.

He's gonna be fine. Stop being panicky dipshits. Do you ungrateful sacks of shit not remember what it looked like when Carlos Zambrano struggled?! If a 6th inning meltdown raising your ace's first half era+ to a mere 11% better than league average still is enough to cause panic in these parts I'd say you're just entitled babies.

You better be right my god I'm turning to SKO for assurance.

[Shooter]

       HR/9  LgAv  HR/FB
2016:  0.7   1.2    9.3%
2017:  1.1   1.3   14.8%
2018:  1.6   1.1   18.2%

Not trending the right way.

[Tonker]

Even Hendricks himself says there's something wrong.  *sad face*

[SKO]

I'm definitely concerned but he said he's not hurt and again the velocity and stuff would indicate he's not hurt. His mechanics are definitely fucked right now, but I feel like if there's anyone I trust to sort that out it's him. But they need him to get it right quickly.

[thehawk]

I'm definitely concerned but he said he's not hurt and again the velocity and stuff would indicate he's not hurt. His mechanics are definitely fucked right now, but I feel like if there's anyone I trust to sort that out it's him. But they need him to get it right quickly.

His former pitching coach is available

[Quality Start Machine]

Hopefully last night is the start of something.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Classic Hendricks last night--huge, huge performance in staring down Arizona's ace in a game that probably did as much to seal Arizona's fate as it did to bolster the Cubs' chances at a third straight division crown.

Watching that entire game was about as enjoyable as any activity including fucking and eating.

[Tonker]

Classic Hendricks last night--huge, huge performance in staring down Arizona's ace in a game that probably did as much to seal Arizona's fate as it did to bolster the Cubs' chances at a third straight division crown.

Watching that entire game was about as enjoyable as any activity including fucking and eating.

You eat when you fuck?  Little bowl of cabbage on the nightstand, eh?

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Classic Hendricks last night--huge, huge performance in staring down Arizona's ace in a game that probably did as much to seal Arizona's fate as it did to bolster the Cubs' chances at a third straight division crown.

Watching that entire game was about as enjoyable as any activity including fucking and eating.

You eat when you fuck?  Little bowl of cabbage on the nightstand, eh?

I didn't say fucking while eating--though I did think of saying "fucking and eating and fucking while eating"....though I've never fucked while I ate and question how enjoyable that would actually be.   

But anyway, Kyle Fucking Hendricks.

[Saul Goodman]

Classic Hendricks last night--huge, huge performance in staring down Arizona's ace in a game that probably did as much to seal Arizona's fate as it did to bolster the Cubs' chances at a third straight division crown.

Watching that entire game was about as enjoyable as any activity including fucking and eating.

You eat when you fuck?  Little bowl of cabbage on the nightstand, eh?

I didn't say fucking while eating--though I did think of saying "fucking and eating and fucking while eating"....though I've never fucked while I ate and question how enjoyable that would actually be.   

But anyway, Kyle Fucking Hendricks.

Selfish much

[Bort]

Y'all, I don't even want to think about Huey fucking OR eating.

[Oleg]

Y'all, I don't even want to think about Huey fucking OR eating.

I think this belongs in the 'I admit it...' thread.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Y'all, I don't even want to think about Huey fucking OR eating.

Blame Tonker for opining about it; I had been talking in general, universal terms.