From One Lanky Righty to Another

I heard this bit of news on Baltimore's WNST this morning as I enjoyed my third day in a row off from work. Oriole pitching coach Leo Mazzone has asked Jim Palmer if he wouldn't mind working with Daniel Cabrera. Leo's had him for close to a year and a half and while his walk rate has decreased nicely this season he's taken a step back in the strikeout rate, HBP rate and home run rate departments.

Palmer may be just right for Cabrera if he's willing to listen. But let's assume that he's ready to accept the tutelage of Palmer and work to become a better pitcher. Palmer's pitching motion always appeared to be on the verge of falling apart. So many different body parts moving in different directions gave Palmer a loosey-goosey appearance on the hill. Cabrera isn't as extreme as Palmer in this regard. In fact, he looks to be pitching from his core and keeping things compact this year. Still, Palmer may be able to offer Cabrera some insight as a fellow tall hurler.

There's no doubt that Palmer has his ideas about Cabrera. He has them about pretty much every pitcher in the league. As fellow watchers of Oriole games know Palmer also won't be afraid to talk about those ideas with him -- at length.