Add new comment

I agree with all of that, although I think 'too' much difference in the fastball/changeup can also be harmeful. A 7-10mph difference is ideal. Less than that and hitters can adjust mid-swing, more than that and hitters can sit in between.
Jamie Moyer actually averages right around 7mph between his fastball/chageup. Cliff Lee and Mark Buerhle are around there, Ricky Romero around 7.5.
James Shileds averages 8 mph between the fastball/changeup. Jair Jurrjens averages 8 mph.
Tim Lincecum averages about 9.5 mph between the fastball/changeup. Johan Santana averages 9 mph. Hamels a little under 10mph.
Somewhere around 7-10mph and you're good. At first glance it almost seem that the harder you throw your fastball, the bigger mph difference you can afford between the changeup (although I don't know if theres anything to that).
Luke French is somewhere around that breaking point and could probably afford to throw his change another 1-2mph slower.. I don't know if that the main issue though. Maybe he just needs a better feel for it..much of an effective change is in sellling the delivery. Or maybe the pitching staff switches his grip or something, like he did late last year with the slider.
Either way, I'd agree that the effectiveness of the changeup is going to decide French's fate in the rotation.