Lonnie's James Paxton Video - Conclusions
=== CENTERLINE ===
Though Paxton does not use the "stand tall" principle to line himself up, he achieves this anyway. His CG and head have excellent "trueness" down the CL.
His acceleration is picture-perfect, thanks to the fact that he uses his front hip to move his weight.
Per DrMikeMarshall's "driveline mechanics" paradigm, Paxton scores a perfect 10 out of 10.
Per the aiki paradigm, Paxton's amusing "lead with your butt" acceleration is also off-the-charts effective down the CL.
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=== BALANCE ===
At any point during the delivery, you get the impression that Paxton could pause and hold his position for a couple of seconds.
Well, not literally, of course, but at each point the symmetry of his extremities, around the CG, are model.
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=== BODY CONTROL ===
Paxton has very nice power-to-weight ratio. For example, he does a deep knee bend and comes out of it with an effortless impression.
Many LHP's are more centrifugal than RHP's and Paxton is Exhibit A. He is using a sling, rather than tossing a shot put, and at times almost seems to be "along for the ride" as the baseball slings itself around the arc.
To watch James Paxton throw the ball, you would never believe that he was throwing 96 mph.
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=== Health and Command ===
Paxton might get injured, but it won't be because of his pitching mechanics.
In this single bullpen session, Paxton's motion repeated as well as, say, Felix Hernandez' does.
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Why do we like Paxton's mechanics even better than Lincecum's? Despite having a bit less power -- no trunk turn, and a shorter landing spot -- Paxton's mechanics are more compact, at very desirable points in the motion.
Paxton is, in essence, Lincecum with a cleaner motion.
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=== Dr's R/X ===
If it were SSI's call, which last we checked it is not .... SSI would advise the Mariners' pitching coaches that they have zero role to play in "improving" James Paxton's mechanics.
The primary fear that Paxton's agent would have, during his first year in pro baseball, would be that overzealous coaches would try to "put their fingerprints" on Paxton's career.
Coaches might help point it out, if and when Paxton ever got away from the mechanics he showed on Lonnie's video.
Some athletes are naturals. Nobody ever changed Ken Griffey Jr's swing; he was born with the right one.
James Paxton's pitching stroke is simply a model of LHP mechanics. Talk to him about setting up hitters, or about how many miles a day to run, or about why he has to carry a pink bag through the airport. But if you have to talk to him about mechanics, limit it to "attaboy."
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My $0.02,
Dr. D