Webb's fastball key to redemption The baseball offseason started with whispers of the Texas Rangers signing a former Cy Young winner for the long term. It’s now approaching the new year and the Rangers have indeed inked a former Cy Young winner, just not Cliff Lee and not necessarily for the long term. The Rangers and starting pitcher Brandon Webb have reportedly come to an agreement on a contract. The deal, assumed to be for one year, is pending a physical. Webb has not pitched in the majors since Opening Day of 2009 due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. It is not surprising, then, that the success or failure of this signing will hinge largely on Webb’s health and his ability to regain his former velocity. Early reports on Webb's progress indicate that he has good movement on his sinker, but that his velocity is not yet back to where it was. In order to once again be effective, Webb will need to regain that speed on his fastball. Although he's never been a power pitcher, his heater gets more effective as its velocity increases. From 2007 to 2009, opponents teed off on the slower end of his range, and were frequently jammed when he got up into the low 90s. Webb’s ability to regain his velocity – and, thus, his effectiveness – will probably have to wait to be evaluated until at least Spring Training. In a vacuum, however, Webb’s addition makes a great deal of sense for the Rangers pitching staff. Webb, since the beginning of his career, has thrived off his ability to induce ground balls. From 2003 to 2008, he was one of the top groundball pitchers in the Majors, posting a groundball rate of 64.3 percent according to Fangraphs, which was the highest in the majors during that time span. Webb joins a Rangers staff that last season struggled to induce grounders. In 2010, Rangers pitchers had a groundball percentage of 41.5 percent, the 2nd-lowest rate in the majors, according to Fangraphs. Webb's addition could not only function to balance the rotation's strengths, but it could also help the pitcher himself, considering the presence of Elvis Andrus at shortstop. Needless to say, there are a number of mitigating factors that will determine the success of this deal – the money involved, Webb’s health and his ability to regain his fastball – but, in theory, this groundball-inducing former Cy Young winner is a low-risk, high-reward fallback option after losing out on Lee. Brandon Webb Fastballs, 2007-09 Velocity Pitches Opp BA Opp OPS K pct 85 or less 220 .375 1.000 5.9 86 to 90 3576 .281 .730 9.6 Over 90 293 .219 .616 28.4 >> Includes only those balls where pitch speed was available from Inside Edge. Lowest Groundball Pct, 2010 Season Rays 41.3 Rangers 41.5 Diamondbacks 41.8 Brewers 41.8 Giants 42.0 >>Source: Fangraphs 资料来源:ESPN(Dallas)-Rangers http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/14652/webbs-fastball- velocity-the-key-to-redemption Webb能的直球球速能恢复多少会是这笔合约的重要关键。 03~08年64.3%的制造滚地球机率是联盟的滚滚王。 资料显示球速超过90麦能非常有效压制对方打者~~ 别忘了游骑兵的SS是金手套等级的Andrus，不过不要打到三垒就好，拜托...PLZ -- 2010 Texas Rangers Postseason Franchise Roster (SP)Cliff Lee (C)Benjie Molina (1B)Mitch Moreland (2B)Ian Kinsler (SS)Elvis Andrus (3B)Michael Young (LF)David Murphy (CF)Josh Hamilton (RF)Nelson Cruz (DH)Vladimir Guerrero (SP)C.J. Wilson (SP)Colby Lewis (CL)Neftali Feliz (RP)Darren O'Day (RP)Darren Oliver (SP)Derek Holland (RP)Alexi Ogando (RP)Michael Kirkman (C)Matt Treanor (OF)Julio Borbon --

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