Projected Wilson to go to the Jays at No. 11, and while he’s not the be-all end-all, he definitely has his sources. Frankie Piliere (a smart guy with his own share of sources) said the Jays would take him if they thought he was signable. No clue about that just yet, but the fact that the Jays have been paying a lot of attention to working out prep shortstops makes me think that they might be looking to conserve some money by grabbing Kellen Sweeney or Tony Wolters with one of the supplemental first rounders as a signability guy. Money saved is money that goes to the Austin Wilson slush fund.

I continue to be of the belief that at present, we cannot establish the connection between pitching mechanics and pitching injuries.

The only thing I care about at all mechanically is whether or not a guy can repeat his pitching motion. If there’s a link between mechanics and injury to be found, I think that’s where the first blow will be struck, but even there I remain unconvinced for now. The part that worries me right now with a guy being able to repeat his mechanics has very little to do with injury, and much more to do with command . . .obviously, if the ball comes out of his hand a different way every time, then he probably isn’t too sure where it’s going to end up.

Fortunately, from that very same report:

On the positive side, Sale’s mechanics are certainly deceptive. Even though they are unorthodox, he does seem to repeat his motion well. Even the ‘best’ mechanics don’t mean much if a pitcher can’t repeat them.

So, I’m good with that. Of course, then he goes into a long-winded discussion of “energy expenditure” and “kinetic chains”, whatever the hell that is supposed to mean. Now, it’s a VERY well-written piece for the most part, but the only background I can find on Lincoln Hamilton (and believe me, I looked) is that he is “Senior Scout” at Project Prospect. I really have no clue why he’s talking like Bill Nye the Science Guy here.

One of the most durable pitchers in Major League history without any history of arm related injuries. 12 straight years of 200+ innings including 4 300+ inning seasons and one 376 inning season.

There are plenty of pitchers with those type of mechanics that have gone on to have excellent careers. There are many pitchers with “safe” mechanics that have had injury riddled-careers.

I haven’t seen any significant studies that say for sure whether those inverted type of mechanics are that much more riskier than basic level mechanics. I think there is some correlation here, but correlation does not equal causation and further research needs to be done before declaring certain theories as actual facts.

that whoever drafts him adjusts the arm slot. Even if he isn’t an injury risk he’s in danger of being unable to develop the breaking ball he’ll need for the pros. He’s a FB/change guy right now, which follows from that type of 3/4 arm slot as it leads to flat breaking balls.

I was watching TCU vid of Matt Purke, who had a very low 3/4, slinging arm slot in h.s., and he seems to have benefited from raising his arm. I’m much more sanguine about his chances of being a top-notch starter and staying healthy. Most of the criticism of Sale seems cosmetic (too thin, painful mechanics), and while I share that reaction and can see why so many believe that those are red flags, I’m not sure this is the basis for substantive criticism.