Q.  So the 6'8" height and overhand delivery means Fister has some sort of game-changing advantage?

A.  Nah, it simply explains what Wok is saying:  that Fister has good angles, and that he "gets out in the strike zone."  Time to go on a BABIP watch:

• 2009 - .277
• 2010 - .241
• Normal - .300

You're talking about four games, naturally.  It's not a question of declaring victory, though we would think all M's fans would be giddy about doing that.  It's a question of watching to see whether this "angles" and BABIP factor has legs.  It's a pretty fresh take on a pitcher, if you ask jemanji.

.

Q.  The fastball is occurring 77.5% of the time this year.

A.  After Doogie's first game, we screamed bloody murder and accused Moore of a "minor league game call." 

After the second one -- the shutout that turned April around -- Johnson also called for a ton of FB's and the shutout reduced Dr. D's complaining to volume 5.

Third game, we shut up.

...........

Now it's easy understand what's going on.  The catchers are sitting back there in rocking chairs and just boogeying out disco duck on the Catfish-located fastballs.  The catchers' game calls themselves tell us all we need to know about whether Fister's command is "70."

Hey, Doogie's fastball comes in there at 89 mph -- a beautiful hitting speed.  The catchers call it for a reason.  The hitters are waiting, and waiting, and waaaaiiiiiitttttting for one to center, and it doesn't happen.  They wait and bang, they're behind in the count.

.

Q.  This "angles" thing of Wakamatsu's wasn't part of the original SSI sales hype, was it?

A.  Nope.  Originally we liked the combination of the plus-plus change along with the possibility of plus-plus command (based on his drop-dead gorgeous driveline mechanics).

This template achieved a 7:1 control ratio in the PCL, which was a nice field test for his overall "game."  Also, his time with the Mariners told the eyes that Fister had a good chance to make this "game" work in the bigs.  The makeup is a big factor.

Wakamatsu's point about "angles" and "outs in the strike zone" is completely novel to Dr. D.  But he'll be glad to begin a BABIP watch.  Thanky kindly, Don.

..................

The angles and low BABIP are cool, but the original #2 factor (command) remains the biggest reason we've got a one-month sensation on our hands.  :- )  What's exciting about it is that Fister's bowling over hitters with his second-best tool.  His first-best tool, it says here, is the change-speed game.

What about when he gets the two things rolling together?

.

Part 3