When I coached youth baseball and at the high school level, travel baseball and specialized training weren’t as readily available as is it is today. We had materials and videos written by Tom House, including the “Winning Pitcher”, “Power Baseball”(written with Coop De Renne) and of course Nolan Ryan’s “Pitcher’s Bible”. For hitters, you had Charlie Lau’s “The Art of Hitting .300″ and“A Hitting Clinic: The Walt Hriniak Way”. Of course, anything written by Ted Williams was a must. If you lived in Southern California, as I did, you tried to attend any baseball conference where Wally Kincaid, the legendary coach at Cerritos College(he was to college baseball what John Wooden was to basketball) and John Scolinos, the masterful coach at Cal Poly Pomona, spoke as they were absolute legends in area of coaching and baseball training back in the day. That’s all changed now as travel teams proliferate the youth baseball landscape and specialized training for high school and college players, who want to reach their goal of playing professional baseball, has become an absolute must. Moreover, technology has invaded the baseball training landscape in ways that we could not have imagined 30-40 years ago. That specialized training and technology has also reached major league baseball.
What’s behind all this specialization? Simple, baseball has become a harder‑throwing game. Everyone wants to light up the radar gun. The average fastball velocity in the majors rose from 90.1 mph in 2005 to an all‑time high of 92.1 last year. Scouts look at for pitchers who can bring it. Gerrit Cole did not get his $324 million dollar contract because he is a junk ball pitcher. Nope, he was the most desirable pitcher on the market because he could consistently throw 98 late into a game and because he has a high spin rate on his pitches. With hitters, it has become baseball is more homerun happy than it’s ever been. They used to say “chicks dig the long ball!” Now with pitching, the scouts are looking for that guy who can “throw the ball through a carwash and not get it wet.” And so it is with pitching, speed (and spin rate) has become a major component of what scouts look for in a pitcher. Enter Driveline Baseball.
Recently the Dodgers hired Rob Hill, who has worked and will continue to work, with Driveline Baseball, as a pitching coordinator. I wasn’t sure what a pitching coordinator does but have come to learn that “A pitching‑coordinator is not as a super‑coach for players but, rather, works as someone who can “coach the coaches” at each minor league affiliate to ensure they’re instilling the same principles organization-wide.” Rob Hill is one of a dozen or more Driveline employees that have been recently hired by MLB teams.
That begs the question, what is Driveline Baseball? On their Linkedin site, they tout themselves as “the first data‑driven baseball player development organization in the world.” They are located in Kent, Washington, a suburb of Seattle. The company was founded in 2012, by Kyle Boddy, who is now employed by the Cincinnati Reds as their Minor League Director of Pitching Initiatives/Pitching Coordinator. Boddy has worked as a consultant and pre‑draft analyst for MLB teams including the Dodgers and Cleveland Indians. He has also worked as a consultant for college programs including Vanderbilt, Oregon State, and Coastal Carolina. Driveline also works with high schools across the United States, and offers camps in Washington state for pitchers as young as 9 years old. Driveline Baseball has gained prominence for its consistency in turning around the careers of many players, most notably a crop of pitchers headlined by Trevor Bauer. Dodgers who have recently(this off-season) been known to work with Driveline are Alex Wood and Kenley Jansen.
In 2008, Boddy started a blog called Driveline Mechanics. It relied heavily on the theories of former Major League Baseball pitcher Mike Marshall, who, as you might recall, had some very unique ideas about pitching and training. Thereafter Boddy started a biomechanics lab in Seattle to test some of his theories. Boddy’s methods are a combination of his exhaustive research into the works of dozens of sources – including former Cy Young Award winner Mike Marshall, long‑toss advocate Alan Jaeger and University of Hawaii professor Coop DeRenne – Through this research Boddy found that throwing with underweight and overweight baseballs would have a significant effect on velocity improvements and that more throwing leads to healthier arms, as long as it’s done with proper mechanics and sufficient recovery. Like Jaeger, Boddy is at odds with the baseball establishment’s approach toward protecting pitchers’ well‑being, insisting more throwing, not less, leads to healthier arms, as long as it’s done with proper mechanics and sufficient recovery.
Driveline operates in a warehouse‑type building in an industrial park in Kent, tucked in between a gym and an auto‑glass shop about six winding miles southeast of SeaTac airport. It’s not particularly easy to find, yet pitchers have been making the pilgrimage to the Driveline Baseball facility in such numbers, that Driveline is now in its third location in four years. The pitchers, amateurs, and pros with a wide range in ability, hail from diverse points throughout the country, usually drawn by the same lure: the chance to increase their velocity. “We want to be a full pitching‑development service, not just velocity gain,’’ said Boddy, a former high school baseball coach and software developer, “but for better or worse, that’s what a lot of guys are interested in.’’ “I think at this point in the baseball‑training community, we can really say there are quantitative ways to improve your velocity, whether its Driveline or another program, lifting heavier or throwing long‑toss,’’ said Boddy. “Whatever it is, it’s generally accepted that you can now throw harder. Ten years ago, nobody believed that. The belief was, ‘Velocity is God‑given – you either have it or you don’t.’’’ Thus, we can hold out hope that pitchers, like Wood can regain some velocity, and hence his effectiveness (another 16-3 year wouldn’t be all that bad would it?). Perhaps Driveline can help Jansen regain a couple MPH on his cutter. How about Kershaw, is it possible that he can he recapture some of the past magic?
So what is it that Driveline seeks to do? According to them: “Driveline aims to re‑design pitch characteristics while simultaneously increasing spin efficiency and velocity.” I’m not certain that I know what that means, but if it can get us a World Series title, without cheating, I’m all for it. Initially, Driveline’s pitching development focused on the use of weighted balls to increase velocity. In recent years, Driveline’s objectives have grown. Now, it’s facility is loaded with all the latest technology: Edgertronic high‑speed video, TrackMan radars to Pitch F/X optical tracking cameras to Rapsodo, a radar‑triggered camera system. Driveline pairs the gadgets and gurus powering that technology with its weighted baseballs to form the core of its research‑based ballistic training. As one trainee put it “They do far more for players than just give them tools to throw harder. They provide resources to improve mechanics, reduce the risk for injury, rehab from previous injuries, gain strength both on the mound and in the weight room, and develop secondary pitches.” That same individual said “the trainers make a huge difference and are the reason why training at the facility is so much different than doing the program on your own. The dedication that they have to the program is unbelievable, as each trainer develops an almost unexplainable loyalty and dedication to the athletes’ development so long as they really buy into the process. Each athlete had a different program with different priorities yet each trainer knew the priorities of each athlete and checked in on them to make sure they were on track with their programs.” Apparently, this zeal has caused those Major League Baseball teams, that have embraced its principles, to hire more than a dozen Driveline‑trained coaches in player development positions as baseball continues to embrace the deeply analytical approach.
So what is it that Rob Hill will bring to the Dodgers? I’m not sure, but as Ken Boddy stated after being hired by the Reds: “The biggest lessons I’ve learned both at Driveline and elsewhere is “front offices want coaches to have key performance indicators and coaches want clear messages and know what’s expected of them. That’s what I’m going to do.” If he can help the coaches communicate what it is that is expected of them, and in turn, the coaches can better communicate to the players what is expected of them, and that communication is consistent across the board, I think the Dodger player development will become yet more dynamic. I’m looking forward to what this year brings and how Driveline impacts the Dodgers pitching performance from the major league level to rookie ball. I think it’s going to be another exciting year for us.
Some Additional Off-Season Random Thoughts
• I know he was not going to be a difference-maker, but I was sad to see Casey Sadler traded. He was a player that seemed to truly love playing for the Dodgers. Quite often he would post a picture on Twitter or Instagram of he and his young family in Dodger attire on the grass at Dodger Stadium and the like, and express his joy at being part of the organization. I know we can’t keep everyone, but I am partial to those players who truly enjoy being a part of the organization. Casey, if you read this blog, I for one will miss you.
• When Jessica Mendoza first started as an analyst on the ESPN game of the week, I enjoyed her fresh commentary. She always seemed prepared and offered insight that was helpful and enjoyable. Over the past two years, my enjoyment began to wane, as she started to become more and more repetitious and seemed to want to be like Alex Rodriguez, who I personally can’t stand as a commentator. This past week, I lost all respect for Ms. Mendoza, when she put her foot in her mouth with her comments chastising Mike Fiers for coming out and exposing the ASStericks cheating scandal. According to her: “But to go public? Yeah, that didn’t sit well with me and, honestly, it made me sad for the sport that’s how this all got found out.” Apparently, Ms. Mendoza thinks telling reporters about cheating is wrong. Maybe she learned that from Rodriguez. Her later attempt to walk those comments back made her look even more ridiculous. “I believe it’s very critical that this news was made public; I simply disagree with the manner in which that was done,” Mendoza tweeted. “I credit Mike Fiers for stepping forward, yet I feel that going directly through your team and/or MLB first could have been a better way to surface the information.” As one commentator put it: “That’s right. Mendoza believes the people she’s supposed to cover for the benefit of her media outlet and its audience should not be open, forthright and transparent with the media.” Ms. Mendoza also works for the NY Mets front office as a baseball operations adviser. Okey dokey then, I don’t see any problem with that, do you? Either way, I’m glad the Dodgers deny her access to the clubhouse whenever she announces a Dodger game. It will be interesting to see what, if any, punishment she receives. I don’t she receives any.
• I may be in the minority (with AC), but I’m glad to have Alex Wood back. Obviously, his recovery from past injuries is important, but if he can get his velocity back up to 93 mph (when he is most effective), I think he can be a solid member of the starting rotation.
• Spring training will be competitive for Dodger pitchers. With the addition of Wood, Nelson, and Treinen, and assuming they are healthy, what becomes of Ross Stripling, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May? How about Scott Alexander? Then there is Caleb Ferguson, Dennis Santana, and Josh Sborz? Is Victor Gonzalez ready to make the jump to the majors? What non-roster invitee is going to open up eyes and force the Dodgers’ hand? Only a few more weeks and we’ll be talking about what’s going on in Glendale. I’m looking forward to it.
Great read 2demeter thank you, I love how you all give us articles that makes us think and open our eyes!! But fyi, I’m actually excited about alex wood being back to he can absolutely be a game changer!!
Also any thoughts on the betis price situation and would you go after them for two high end prospects, or any names you would put in that trade if you would do it?
I would absolutely stand pat right about now. Let’s see if Verdugo is healthy – if he is, he’s not Betts, but he is dang good. This team is loaded.
They just have to see how things play out. I would not make any crazy trades until the deadline… and maybe they won’t need to.
I too am excited to see Alex Wood back… especially with Driveline.
Verlander was helped immensely by them.
Well said I agree I think were ready to go get that ring!! Thank you gentlemen I appreciate you
Mark – Thanks for adding the videos to the post. Helped make a less than ordinary post more engaging.
Extra-Ordinary Post! With or without videos.
Right now, I’m inclined to agree with Mark, though not precisely for the same reasons. I recently read an article, though I can’t remember where, that expressed concern about Betts having benefited offensively by the cheating program brought over by Cora. I have no idea if that’s true or not, but it would give me some concern, specially if it is going to cost us a high amount of prospect capital.
Great read 2D2. Good launch angle on that one.
Trevor Bauer seems to be the poster boy for Driveline.
Driveline has not bought into such an inning/pitch limited routine that so many teams follow, including the Dodgers. Perhaps hiring Hill has to do with the new rules for relief pitchers and also Billy Gasparino’s acknowledgement that the trend line for the 2019 draft was to pick good fastballs.
I agree it seems that Bauer and Driveline were made for each other. As you know form your research, Bauer was very instrumental in helping get them off the ground.
Totally agree on Sadler. Lost a lot of respect for Jessica Mendoza. She needs to decide whether she is going to work for the Mets or be an ESPN analyst. She can’t be both. If a question comes up about the Mets during a broadcast, how does she handle it?
They should wipe out that entire Sunday Night crew. I’ve found them unbearable for years. They never shut the hell up. Arod, also an employee for another team, is not only a disgrace, but also terrible at his job. Mendoza has improved in my opinion but I still think she’s quite bad. She no longer needs softballs tossed to her to draw her into the conversations. She’s just bad on her own. She is a little better on the radio. Three person crews are awful in general. Now she’s put her foot in her mouth.
~
Jessica think Fiers privately should have gone to higher ups. Geez what could happen? No one would want to sweep things under the rug to protect their team or mlb’s reputation would they?
Very informative and well done 2D2, thank you. Funny you should mention Kent, Wa which is where my mom was born. Did not realize they were such a baseball city. I am with you in being glad Wood is back and sad that Casey Sadler is gone. Question.. you wrote about 9-yr old pitchers being worked with. Is that too young being they have not fully developed yet? Just wondering.
I’m not sure how they work with players that young, but given their emphasis on safety and injury prevention, I have to believe that the training would be age appropriate. Youngsters start playing “organized” ball at age 4 now, so there is absolutely no harm in helping them develop properly. I’ve looked, but I do not find anything that sets forth their opinion on having a 9 year old throw a curve ball, which I would not do. Then again, I know that youngsters at that age attempt to throw all manner of pitches when they are playing catch with each other in the backyard or at school, so again, knowing how to do it properly, can’t hurt.
Ok. Thank you 2D2.
Add me to the list of those sorry to see Casey Sadler leave, also to the Alex Wood “minority report.” Mendoza? Only took a couple of broadcasts for me to discount most anything she had to say. Alana Rizzo is superior in every way as a baseball journalist.
100% agree SoCalBum.
I like having Wood back. I wouldn’t yet want him to have more than a 2 year contract as I worry about his ability to stay healthy and that worry has to do with his delivery and not just his history. He can be taught to not litter and properly put his gum in the trash.
Other than I would like to swap Pollock for Diaz I am ready to play ball with the team as is.
I really enjoyed your post 2d2.
So, where are all those Wood bashers?
It seems like we all think Mendoza falls under the Mendoza line.
I just read that Andrew Toles is not expected back this year. I hope the young man overcomes whatever it is that’s keeping him from being a major league baseball player. He was a refreshing presence on the Dodgers
Agreed. He’s probably dealing with something mental or emotional. Possibly bad anxiety. I’m more concerned about the man than the ballplayer. I hope he finds help. I’m sure the Dodgers will help him find a doctor or therapist.
I’m not a Wood basher, but I also don’t understand why he’d be promised a starting spot. Seems to me he needs to prove himself in the spring, just like several other guys. Based on last year, I’d be more comfortable with giving Dustin May the ball every 5th day than Wood.
But let’s see what happens in spring.
Dodgers down to 2.45-1 as favorite to win the NL pennant. Up to 7-1 as third favorite to win the championship, with Yankees a big favorite at 3-1 Houston second at 6-1. Odds are just that, of course.
I am not excited about Alex Wood returning, he has had two bad or at least injury-plagued years in a row, and the odds of him coming back here and replacing Hill, much less Ryu, are not good. Last year, at the time when we really looked like a great team, and some were saying that this was the best LA Dodgers team in decades, we had a staff of Buehler, Kershaw , Ryu, Hill, Maeda. Now it will be Buehler, Kershaw, Urias, Maeda, Wood? That is a major dropoff.
I don’t think that we improved one aspect of our club, except maybe with the addition of Treinen. No right handed power bat, no top starter, no closer. Standing pat did not seem like the way to go, unless one wants to make a virtue of necessity. But it’s all a comparative, so as long as we are better than the other NL teams, we can win the pennant.
On the broadcasters, I tend to agree that the MLB announcing team is becoming less enjoyable. Too much joking around, little in the way of insights. Of course sports is marketed as entertainment now, to the detriment of interesting analysis. And while I was not aware of Mendoza’s comment, it is disappointing to see it. The story is the scandal, not the revealing of it.
One of my favorite photos of Wood in the Dodger dugout is when he is sitting with those cups in his ears. Can not remember why he did that though.
Michael Busch is MLB’s #6 2B prospect.
That was quick. They believe he has a high ceiling for both power and BA.
I’m no expert, but I like what I saw in videos of Michael Busch. Same for Kody Hoese.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see an infield in 2022:
1B Muncy
2B Busch
SS Lux
3B Hoese
I’m pessimistic about extending Seager because of his impatient approach at the plate and his agent. Not a good combination.
I’m looking forward to seeing Busch and Hoese in Rancho this year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either on the opening day roster. Hoese may have to wait for Miguel Vargas to move on, which I expect could happen pretty quickly. They could always plug him in at 1B for the time being. But a Rancho infield of Vargas, Amaya, Busch and Hoese would be very fun to watch.
The only trade I would make before the season starts is a trade for the 1 year contract for Ken Giles. My fear is that we will need a top of the rotation starting pitcher (a #2 starter) by the trade deadline. I say fear because good starting pitching is at a premium, it will cost some good prospects and/or MLB players. Hopefully I am wrong and any of May, Gonsolin, Urias, Maeda, Wood step up and be that #2 starter. And again I’m confident in our offense, I absolutely see no need to trade for a position player assuming Verdugo is healthy and ready to go.
Yeah, guys with a .294 BA, .362 OB% and .853 OPS grow on trees.
The guy many of you want to trade half the farm for (Lindor) has a career BA of .288, .347 OB% and .840 OPS.
Geeeezzzzz!
Mark
?
Are you talking to me? If so, about who?
Verdugo? I want Verdugo long term on the Dodgers. I’m just wondering about his back injury.
Seager? His approach at the plate plus his agent is something Friedman might walk away from and let Seager go into free agency or in a future trade.
I don’t want Lindor on the Dodgers, never have never will.
Thx 2d2 for the driveline article. Seems like mlb has taken a shine to them. It will be interesting to watch Wood and Jansen this year to see any improvement in velocity and spin rates. And William don’t forget to take into account the young talent coming into play this year. I think Urias will be a star by the end of the year and Lux and May could also get there. We have a lot of young potential. I’d let it play out until the deadline and make a move then if we need some help in October. And I think Seager is much better this year as well!
Absolutely great stuff 2D2. I know a lot about Driveline but just learned more. I too have watched with fascination the evolution in the training of pitchers over the last 20 years. I was a Tom House and Ron Worforth guy. The technology explosion has changed many things now in a very short time. As mentioned, Driveline has worked with many pitchers. Trevor Bauer seems to be the poster boy as one of the early buy ins. He early on openly embraced the unique pregame and warm up stuff that nobody else was doing. In spring training a few years ago is where I saw him throwing weighted balls backward into the bullpen wall, use that flexible rod he wiggles, and more quirky stuff. Now I’m seeing way more of this stuff by many pitchers. While I am always skeptical that new methods (fads) are attempts at turning kids into robots, I think Driveline is on to something. I especially like more throwing, supervised, to build up strength. Ask Nolan Ryan about that one. Pitch counts are misunderstood have evolved (gradually decreasing downward until folks settled at 100) into a one rule serves all. Get to 100 and it’s panic time. I want to see some scientific evidence that 100 is the magic number. There are so many variables with pitch counts. And is 100 pitches in April the same as 100 in September? I digress, but I have observed this evolution and l like Driveline.
I really liked Jessica Mendoza as well. At first she was refreshing, funny and I think she knows her stuff about hitting explained to the viewing audience. But this time I think she was way wrong and she really stepped in it and resorted to some lame spin that didn’t work, likely at the bequest of ESPN. I’m willing to give her a reluctant mulligan on this one, however, and hope she has learned from her comments.
I’m with you on A-Rod. He is such a phony. He doesn’t converse in the booth, he lectures. And his make over from his true identity as a unliked, juiced, bush league prima donna into this self deprecating common guy act makes me want to throw up.
Thanks again 2D2.
This was a great post today, 2D2.
Love it!
Here’s a teaser: Tomorrow’s blog post will be EPIC!
Stay tuned. It is one of the best I have ever read and NO… of course, it’s not written by me.
Prepare to be Wowed!
Mark, I didn’t write tomorrow’s.
Very nice post today, 2D2.
As for Wood, if he helps the team,great.
ST is going to be very interesting.
Good post, as always.
I’m always a bit skeptical of whatever trends are going around from pitching “gurus”. Especially the ones marketed to youth athletes. Here is Southern CA, the amount of money spent on coaches, trainers ect. by parents is simply out of control. Especially for really young kids. My son has played against 8/9 year old kids who have personal trainers, hitting and pitching coaches. Same kids play year round and many throw more pitches than MLB starters in an average month. My son has pushed me to do the same but I’ve only done so to an extent that focuses on his health, not the radar gun. And I make him take time during the year. Significant time off. At least until he’s older (he just turned 12). I’m not sure how much of the increase in injury issues in kids and professionals (who played in this same youth sports environment) is about mechanics or simply the volume of pitches kids throw today. I’m always weary when I hear somebody market an expensive training regime that tells people what they want to hear. “It’s mechanics, not pitching too much, year round. Now cut me a big check and I’ll fix the mechanics”. I still tend to think it’s largely work load. There are only so many pitches in an arm, even with good mechanics. The average young MLB pitcher today has likely thrown many, many more pitches as a kid than the average MLB pitcher 30 years ago. Back when 8U travel ball wasn’t a thing and very few kids specialized in one sport year round.
That said, for professionals Driveline does seem to be somewhat unique. The emphasis needs to be on injury reduction first, velocity second. And that does seem to be their focus. I’m still skeptical, but there does seem to be some real results behind their methodology. Skepticism aside, if Driveline explains Justin Verlander’s inexplicable “second wind” to his career, then I’m glad Kenley is drinking the Kool-Aid. It would be really nice to see him even at 80% of what he was a few years ago.
When Alex Wood was a Dodger the first time around, he was not happy to go to the bullpen… he saw himself as a starter. Thus, he was included in The Trade 2.
While I am sure, Friedman has assured him he will get the chance to compete for a starting job, I am also certain he has not been PROMISED that. Realizing that, he came back anyway. He may start or may be in the bullpen. Alex could be quite an asset. Do not underestimate how good he can be.
The Reds brought on their Driveline Guru last year and dramatically improved their staff. The Astros have been using Driveline for a few years now.
I think nothing but good can come out of this.
Good article, 2D2!
Having a Driveline alum as a pitching coordinator should be great for Dodgers and their player development.
Also, having Alex Wood and Kenley working with them this offseason Is promising.
Jayne’s comments above are also very informative. I have seen many kids burnout on baseball after starting travel ball at 8 years old and younger. I am seeing more and more college coaches emphasize the benefits of playing multiple sports and not specializing at young ages. And the amount of time and money spent on travel tournaments for players under 10 is getting out of control.
A couple of suggestions for youth players. They used to put on week long summer tournaments in Cooperstown for 12 year olds that was a fun experience. It is a little costly, but a great opportunity to stay, compete, and visit hall of fame for the kids and parents.
Secondly, for older players who are serious about pitching, there is a program called PFA sports that is run by Dave Coggin in Rancho Cucamonga area. He is a former MLB pitcher that focuses on mechanics and performance enhancement. I have not worked directly with him but heard positive things about his program from others who have gone on to pitch in college and professional ball.
Good to know, re: Coggin. My son and I are in Rancho frequently (big surprise to everybody here).
I’ll look into the Cooperstown tournament. My brother actually lives about an hour from Cooperstown. So that actually might be an option for us. I’ve looked into a week long catchers camp for this summer in Texas run by Todd Coburn. Also not cheap. But nothing in youth sports is cheap! I appreciate the heads up. I’ll look into the Cooperstown tournament as well.
Still chilling out at the Argonaut Hotel at Fisherman’s Wharf. My wife and I had breakfast at the Beuna Vista and I will have dinner with my wife, step-son, and his wife tonight. I have specified Chinatown. I am meeting Evan Bladh in a few minutes. Hint: He wrote tomorrow’s EPIC blog. Tomorrow AM we head to Honolulu and then back to Napa next Sunday. Life is good and I am blessed to part of the best Dodger Community on the planet!
Sounds wonderful Mark. Have a nice relaxing time with your family and Evan Bladh. Enjoy your vacation and do not forget to check in on us once in a while. DBM
Mark try R&G Lounge for Chinese seafood. Try the crab and black cod dishes. The cod is amazing! Also fun night of music at Biscuits and Blues! Have a great vacation!
for more of the Astros asterisks. This is a Twitter from Marcus Strop of the Bluejays
Shit makes sense now. I remember wondering how these guys were laying off some of my nasty pitches. Relaying all my signs in live speed to the batter. Ruining the integrity of the game. These dudes were all about the camera and social media. Now, they’re all quiet! Lol https://twitter.com/bluejayhunter
Seems like new drama unfolding with Arenado and the Rockies. Maybe we have a shot after all ?
Bobby where are you getting your info on Arenado and the Rockies.
Clayton Kershaw should be able to regain some of that velocity if he were to embrace a key mechanical adjustment. His issue is not the arm, rather, his lower body mechanics. While Kershaw does a great job at generating a substantial amount of linear force once he pushes off of the back foot, he limits a great deal of rotational force (torque) when he comes to a dead stop at the beginning of the delivery.
A key adjustment that Kershaw should make is to implement the “Hershiser Drill” or a variant of sorts. Rather than relying on the back foot to push off of the rubber, Kershaw should dedicate a greater degree of emphasis in leading with the hip in order to achieve the greatest amount of ground force production while also reaching the largest degree of hip and shoulder separation.
Through what has now become the National Pitching Association, Tom House spun a revolution in pitching biomechanics. In my opinion Driveline has taken that development to a different level. In short, Driveline should do wonders for Clayton Kershaw if he were to embrace their recommendation(s).