Coach Dreger's Blog

Great relay by 2b.

Great relay throw by 2b.

Moves his feet to catch shoulder-high
Catches w/hands together
Feet moving toward target when ball hits glove

Perfect Rundown Execution (great look at how 1st/3rd play looks)

Awesome work by the defense.

Great move by pitcher after hold.
1b runs with the ball in his throwing hand held up (no pumping)
SS runs at the runner and catches the ball at full speed (runner has no chance at this point)
SS tags, pops up, and immediately drives runner back to 3b.

Note: 3b runner does a terrific job of shuffling off the base to generate momentum

Note: Simmons (Rundown runner) needs to get the defense to chase him AWAY from home plate to make the tag. Give Calhoon a chance to score.

If Simmons could draw Lindor away from the diamond, the Angels get a run out of this

Good 1st/3rd Execution…Better Rundown Defense

Pretty good execution on both sides.

Runner steals, then stops short, stays in the rundown as long as he can

SS thwarts the play by keeping his eyes on 3b runner while he chases down the guy in front of him

1st and 3rd plays are risky with 2 outs cause the runner has to score before his teammate gets tagged.

This would’ve been a run for KC if run with less than 2 outs.

Awful Run Down Execution – Good Baserunning

This is awful rundown execution. Hamilton hasn’t committed to second. Peoria should be sprinting at the runner when he receives the ball.

Instead, Hamilton dekes, 1b gets rid of the ball, and Pedroia chucks it into the stands.

Nice work by Hamilton, who keeps his eye on second so he’s not surprised. Pretends to commit to second which draws a throw.

If you’re stuck in a rundown, force as many throws as you can. The more you force, the better chance the defense makes an error

Rundown Execution

This is how you catch a player caught between the bases.

Baez doesn’t throw to a base, runner would be safe at the other bag. Instead, he runs at the stranded runner until/unless he commits. Run with the ball in your throwing hand
Once 1b gets runner moving toward Second, He gets rid of the ball
2b Is running full speed at the runner when he catches the ball. No way the runner gets out of this one.

Awesome Catchplay and Rundown

This is awesome

This is how got you can be if you can play catch. Simmons turns a potential 1st/3rd or 2nd/3rd situation into an out.

Trailing runners should NEVER be quite sure whether the ball’s getting cut or going through.

Infielders: notice how Simmons makes an outside turn on both of these throws. Best way to ensure accuracy and add power.

To Be Done Every Pitch When On Base

Ottovino’s plan to get more strikes called.

It works! Attack the zone early in counts and umps give you the benefit of the doubt later on the AB. 2 of the first 3 pitches should be strikes.

http://mlb.com/r/article?ymd=20180104&content_id=264289452&vkey=news_col&c_id=col

Syndergaard Article

This pudgy kid fell in love with working out, getting better, and building strength. 10 years later, he’s the best young pitcher in baseball. Here’s how it happened

Full Article

https://amp-si-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/amp.si.com/mlb/2017/02/08/noah-syndergaard-mets-synderella-yearbook-photo?amp_js_v=0.1&usqp=mq331AQGCAEYASAB

The difference between throwing and pitching. Kluber uses movement to make all the balls look like strikes and the strikes look like balls. Many of these start over the middle of the plate before breaking into the other batters box