Sorry, given most sinkerballers are good control pitchers and a lot of high fastball pitchers aren't, I'm not buying the 2-seamer harder to control than the 4-seamer. And, if it is true, it seems they learn to control it.

But Mitch Williams is an expert on not controlling pitches so maybe he knows best.

I think you're making an "all else being equal" assumption that isn't there.

High fastball pitchers throw hard. Sinkerballers don't. The fastball guys generally don't need fine command to become major-leaguers - just the ability to throw strikes. Sinkerballers are the guys with generic stuff who survive the weeding-out process largely because they have the command to hit spots. It isn't in any way surprising that they can hit spots.

A good analogy is that tall basketball players have no inherent disadvantage shooting a 3-pointer but they do it with less success because the shorter player has to be able to do it to even compete at high levels.

A good analogy is that tall basketball players have no inherent disadvantage shooting a 3-pointer but they do it with less success because the shorter player has to be able to do it to even compete at high levels.

I don't know. Isn't the angle where the basketball drops into the basket better for short guys.

Rangers were 21st in MLB in Pitcher GB% on Fangraphs in 2012. Either Williams is way off base or Maddux is really unsuccessful in forcing pitchers to rely on the sinker.

"I could never hit spots so I find it unreasonable that these guys are being expected to do so."

High fastball pitchers throw hard. Sinkerballers don't.

Actually, no, I'm thinking of guys like Kevin Brown, Carlos Zambrano (in his prime), etc. Even Wang was supposedly cranking it up there in the low 90s.

And that many hard throwers are both high fastball and high BB pitchers is not evidence that the high fastball is easier to control.

Also the 2012 Texas Rangers:

113 ERA+ (3rd)
8 K/9 (4th)
2.8 BB/9 (tied 2nd)
K/BB (4th)
GB/FB below league average
IP% league average
HR% league average
HR/FB league average

In 2011, everything was pretty much the same (fewer Ks but that was a league-wide change in 2012).

There's no evidence that the Rangers are a ground ball, ball in play team. There's no evidence their pitchers are having difficulty with control. There's no evidence they aren't K'ing their fair share of batters. Whatever Maddux is doing seems to be working pretty well.

Agree with #7. Wasn't the pitching a problem in Texas BEFORE Maddux came in? Now, it seems like he's turned that into a very competitive staff. I know having great arms helps, but I have to think Maddux has carried his share of that load into getting them into such good shape.

Actually, no, I'm thinking of guys like Kevin Brown, Carlos Zambrano (in his prime), etc. Even Wang was supposedly cranking it up there in the low 90s.

I don't think any of those guys were ever thought of as control artists - they were overpowering in their own way.

And that many hard throwers are both high fastball and high BB pitchers is not evidence that the high fastball is easier to control.

High BB 88mph sinkerballers never sniff AA.