I should've done this one it seems like years ago. I hope you all enjoy....

I almost expected to see two comparisons of Prior throwing off the bullpen with the towel.

The two things that concern me with the clips is that he looks much more stiff in his motion it is not as fluid as it once was and it seems to me from the video clips that his arm is trailing his body and has a lot of catching up to do. His front shoulder is opening up way ahead of his arm motion. I wonder if that is why he was having trouble with his curve so much this spring.

Carlos - I hear you on intros and conclusions. Those are the toughest parts of any article I do as well.

Great stuff once again though. I don't think I've added many comments to the bullpen mechanics pieces, but its just because I don't have much to add. I just read and learn.

much more stiff in his motion

I completely agree.

Carlos - I hear you on intros and conclusions. Those are the toughest parts of any article I do as well.

Do writers eventually develop a Repoz-like ability to lead any article? I sure hope so....

Great job, CBW. A friend emailed your article to me. Usually, I am lost when someone talks about mechanics and breaking down film, but you made it understandable. I hope Rothschild, or someone in the Cubs org., at least takes a look at your analysis. And screw the intro thing. You only need to write good ones if your article doesn't have anything real to say.

#5--glad you enjoyed it.

I REALLY try to make them understandable because sometimes I get caught up in baseball-speak myself. I also hope someone in the Cubs organization at least takes a look.

Hmm. He's not as different in slo-mo as what I thought I saw at full speed. I guess it was just a lot of little things adding up? Having the video synched side by side probably would've helped.

Prior is at least fixable.

One thing that struck me in the slow motion videos was how little scapular flexion he has in '07...and I think the flying open might be a part of him compensating for the decreased scapular loading, so he's trying--without using his lower body--to get a little extra juice. Unfortunately, all that does is place strain on the anterior shoulder.

I'm not sure he is quickly fixable. If there's considerable scar tissue in the shoulder, rather than a tear, we're not talking about a quick fix. This is a loss of joint laxity in the shoulder, which is intimately related to potential velocity. I think the exploratory surgery he's supposed to undergo will tell the story.

and I think the flying open might be a part of him compensating for the decreased scapular loading, so he's trying--without using his lower body--to get a little extra juice. Unfortunately, all that does is place strain on the anterior shoulder.

Well said, very well said.

This is a loss of joint laxity in the shoulder

Wasn't Prior just diagnosed with 'genetic looseness of the shoulder'? I'm sure I read that yesterday but don't have the link on hand...

Anyways, this may be part of the story in terms of lack of stability in the shoulder joint. Makes me wish I had done PT as an undergrad. Oh well.

Pile on the total fear that every time he tries to throw the ball something in his arm breaks down and now there is quite a mountain to climb. At least he's 26 and has time on his side