The case of Chad Green’s curveball
A lack of active spin is the driver behind a pitch that should be more deceptive, but isn’t.
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David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Relievers become relievers largely because they can handle two pitches, but can’t reliably deliver three. Every now and then, you get a reliever, like Mariano Rivera, who has one pitch, and everyone knows it’s coming, and it’s still an elite offering, but that’s far from the model.
Chad Green, one of the more reliable bullpen arms for the Yankees over the past six seasons, is a two-pitch pitcher, but that second pitch has been a journey. He throws a hard, rising, better-than-average fastball, but the tale of his second pitch and his struggles to command it largely dictate his overall performance game-in and game-out.