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RockiesJeff's picture

Thanks for all your work Jeff. As to the quality of articles, Dr. J. All well done. You crack me up. Do you think that Mr. Cleto has collected a few of those Happy Meals toys. Trade him to SF?
I am NO expert but Cleto looks like he kind of does a Flosbury Flop on the mound. He has to have the talent they thought in the original trade to throw with form that sees him falling all over the mound. There is upside if he is coached and he is coachable.
Watching Cleto's left leg land (and body then kind of follow) is the evidence of an inconsistent form throughout. Lee Trevino looked funny to most but he was strong through golf's hitting area and incrediblely consistent. He could make the golf ball dance. I love watching Cliff Lee land as he is always in control. This is why Cleto's pitches are all over the place in shotgun patterns. Sawed-off shotgun. Too much variety is an alarm to any pro batter's eye. Even if his fastball becomes great, weak off-speed can negate it quickly as hitters get the pattern.
Cleto is a big man with a big man's motion. Slow can breed lazy/extra movement. He could never pitch like an Oswalt. But there a lot of loose screws that need to be tightened. Watch Lee on his leg lift and his hip. He quickly begins with the left hip to drive sideways to home. Same motion and slot each time. Cleto does more of a twist and, back from high school days, the shuffle.
So much to write. I shall bore no one further. But from the video, either he tighten up to repeat the same delivery or he will continue the need to look over his shoulder to flying baseballs.
I liked the examples of Thornton and Putz. Not living (with regret) in Seattle, I saw those two hammered in articles and mail. It took each a time before they "got it." This is a mental skill sport. But this kid still can throw with broken legs as  you say. Let' hope Mr. Cleto will make Safeco a home. It would be the result of a lot of hard work. Best to him and his coaches!
PS - Chris Crawford gave a short and good quote on Cleto last night at Propect Insider: "I was able to talk to a scout about Cleto, who told me that while the arm strength is impressive, the command and mechanics are not."
cf. http://prospectinsider.com/view/afl-report/?PHPSESSID=1ec6daa449eb8eb36a...
 

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