Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
February 29, 2004
He's Trying Not to Be Seen

The White Sox are using an interesting strategy this spring. They are only using Shingo Takatsu against NL hitters:


With a funky, sidearm delivery, Takatsu has been baffling White Sox hitters during batting practice and his off-speed pitches have been particularly nasty.

"I don't want to pitch him against any American League team down here unless I have to,'' said Sox pitching coach Don Cooper. "I'd rather make it a complete surprise attack. Nobody's seen him, so let's keep him under wraps.''

The White Sox will play six exhibition games against the NL Arizona Diamondbacks this spring, and they also face the Colorado Rockies five times. If that's not enough to give Takatsu suitable work, the Sox have three "B'' games as another option.


I don't know how long they'll be able to keep him a secret. I assume other teams will have scouts watching, and I'm sure video tape of his delivery will get out. It's a good mind game, however.


Posted by David Pinto at 08:49 AM | Pitchers | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Why is he announcing the fact that he is hiding him to the world then?

Posted by: Octoberball at February 29, 2004 01:03 PM

I agree it's impractical, but it's amusing nonetheless.

Posted by: Linkmeister at February 29, 2004 06:40 PM

that's funny, his delivery was all over WGN last night, during one of their preview/sports shows. not much to say, he looks a bit like a Tekulve/Terry Leach clone, although maybe not that low with his delivery, it was hard to say given the angles of the tv shots. certainly nothing players have never seen before.

Posted by: rob at March 1, 2004 12:45 PM

Sounds a little like what Curt Schilling has asked his managers to do -- he never pitches against division opponents during ST.

As far as video tape goes, I'm sure it's helpful, but against a guy with a delivery that funky I bet it doesn't do a whole lot.

Posted by: Christian at March 1, 2004 06:02 PM

It took a month or two for the league to catch on to Dontrelle Willis's funky delivery last year, so I'm sure the AL Central will have him all figured out by mid-May.

As Christian noted, Curt Schilling used to do this all the time, at least he did when he was back with the Phillies.

Posted by: Michael at March 2, 2004 02:01 AM

c/o don cooper ; don, give me a call , my arm is ready to go ! i was at the open tryout camp last spring in tucson ! 716-400-5783.

Posted by: dave grimm at August 15, 2004 07:25 PM