Add new comment

Funny Matt, the article you quoted gave the impression that they were very similar styles, going so far as to predict injury for Santana.  So no, they are not, 'nothing alike'.  Being same sided, on the same team, and observation of success might have led Liriano to mimic him perhaps? There are a ton of ways to skin a cat so quoting "proper" technique will not be universal.  Santana, up until now, was seen as an absolute horse with long-range projection.  Some minor tweeks could be made with Liriano (and they are fairly minor) to get a bit more repeatable.  That's why I suggested he get his hands out of the break faster, its to get set in the backswing earlier and take some of the lunge out of the motion.  
Its I guess somewhat of a misconception that pitchers strive in any way for perfect mechanics.  They may as youths, but outside of some generational arms, most meet some resistance whether amateur or pros where they have to do something to get an edge.  That could take form in any number of ways, pitch selection, deception, side-arming, whatever.  If Liriano doesn't show some more life this year, I get worried, and perhaps a different org. could tweak his hand action some (if I can see it, you can bet that they can).  I see no reason to plug him into a predetermined mold and decide that he has injury risks that prevent him from any success.  It just does't work that way with enough consistency to declare as law.