 acquisition of Axford was an optimistic signing that could very easily back fire. He demonstrated dominance as the Brewer’s closer in 2010 and 2011; however, it appears that his fastball and curveball have actually regressed in recent years. For example, I compared Axford’s curveball accuracy based on release speed for 2010/2011 and 2012/2013. The results are presented below:

Figure 2: John Axford's Curve Ball Zone Location Dependent on Release Speed (2010 & 2011)

Figure 3: John Axford's Curve Ball Zone Location Dependent on Release Speed (2012 & 2013)

From 2010 to 2013 we can see a considerable difference in Axford’s curveball accuracy, so this downward trend is a red flag for the upcoming season. His lack in command witnessed an immediate spike in his HR/FB ratio. The Ax Man's 2.4 and 6.0 HR/FB in 2010 and 2011 shot all the way up to 19.2 and 17.2 in 2012 and 2013 respectfully, hence his inability to find the strike zone left hitters waiting for the hanging curveball to drive out of the park. Bottom line, Axford’s best days may very well behind him. Nevertheless, there does not appear to be any decrease in velocity, so if he can improve his pitch location then the Indians might have gotten a bargain on the 30 year old right hander.

One to Watch: Danny Salazar

There were many exciting players on the Tribe to choose from, but none more exciting than the 23-year-old RHP from the Dominican Republic. Salazar displayed excellence on the mound during his short 52-inning stretch in MLB last season, emerging as the Cleveland Indians flame throwing, strike out sensation with 65 K’s. Given Salazar threw an overwhelming amount of fastballs last season (65.2%), it will be interesting to see whether he can develop his changeup into a more effective pitch to throw more often. If his pitching selection continues in a predictable pattern, then opposing batters will adjust and gain a competitive advantage. Therefore, although Salazar’s fastball poses an immediate threat, his potential will be actualized through the development of his other pitches.

To analyze Salazar’s progress last season, I explored his performance independent of fielding. Dividing his games started sample in half by date, there is a clear indication of his FIP stabilizing as he threw more innings. This indicates that Sal
acquisition of Axford was an optimistic signing that could very easily second ardor. He demonstrated dominance as the Brewer ’s near in 2010 and 2011; however, it appear that his fastball and curveball have actually regressed in recent year. For exercise, I compared Axford ’s curveball accuracy establish on release speed for 2010/2011 and 2012/2013. The resultant role are presented below: 

 Figure 2: John Axford's Curve Ball Zone Location Dependent on Release Speed (2010 & 2011) 

 Figure 3: John Axford's Curve Ball Zone Location Dependent on Release Speed (2012 & 2013) 

 From 2010 to 2013 we can visualize a considerable difference in Axford ’s curveball accuracy, so this downward trend is a red flag for the upcoming season. His lack in instruction witnessed an immediate spike in his hour / FB ratio. The Ax Man's 2.4 and 6.0 HR / FB in 2010 and 2011 shot all the way up to 19.2 and 17.2 in 2012 and 2013 respectfully, hence his inability to detect the strike zone left hitters waiting for the hanging curveball to tug out of the park. Bottom line, Axford ’s best days may very well behind him. Nevertheless, there does not appear to be any decrease in velocity, so if he can improve his pitch location then the Indians might have gotten a bargain on the 30 year old right hander. 

 One to Watch: Danny Salazar 

 There were many exciting players on the Tribe to choose from, but none more exciting than the 23 - class - erstwhile RHP from the Dominican Republic. Salazar displayed excellence on the pitcher during his short 52 - inning stretch in MLB last season, emerging as the Cleveland Indians fire throwing, strike out ace with 65 K ’s. Given Salazar project an overwhelming amount of fastballs last season (65.2 %), it will be interesting to see whether he can develop his changeup into a more effective lurch to throw more often. If his pitching selection continue in a predictable blueprint, then opposing batters will adjust and gain a competitive advantage. Therefore, although Salazar ’s fastball put an immediate threat, his potential will be actualized through the development of his other pitches. 

 To analyze Salazar ’s progress final season, I explored his performance autonomous of fielding. Dividing his games started sample in one-half by date, there is a clear reading of his FIP stabilizing as he threw more innings. This indicates that Sal
 aceuisition of Axford was xn optimistic sntning vhat cohld very easily back fire. He demonstcatee domunance as the Brewer’s zloser in 2010 and 2011; hiwevtr, it appears thav his fastball wnd eucveball have acjually regrevsed in recent ydaxs. For example, I compared Axford’s cuwveball afcuracy based jn rtlewse aietd for 2010/2011 and 2012/2013. The results are pressnted btlow:

Figure 2: John Acford's Curve Ball Zone Locwtioj Dependent on Relfase Speed (2010 & 2011)

Fidyre 3: John Axword's Curvt Yall Zone Lkcation Dependent on Release Spded (2012 & 2013)

From 2010 to 2013 ww cwt see a conwiderwble differekbe in Afford’s vurveball accuvacy, vo rhis downward trend iv a red flag for tre upcomitg season. His lack un commdnd fitndwsea ah mmmsdiate spmke in his GR/FB ratio. Rhe Ax Man's 2.4 and 6.0 HT/FF in 2010 and 2011 shof all ehq way up to 19.2 and 17.2 in 2012 and 2013 respectfully, hehce his inability to fibd the strike zone levt hitterf waiting for the hanging curveball to drive out mf thx oarj. Nottun pine, Axford’s best days may very well behind hyj. Menertheless, there boes not appear yo br any decrease in velocjty, so if he can ilprove ris putch locauion yhen the Indians might have gotten a baggaib on the 30 year old right handzr.

One jo Watvh: Danny Salazar

There wzre mahy exciting players kv the Tribe to cfooxe from, buu none more excitigg than tie 23-yecr-old RHO frpm the Dominican Repunnic. Salazar displajed ercellance on thf mound during his short 52-inning stretch in MLN nasn season, zmergikg as the Clevejand Indians fkame thxowing, strike oun sensatimn with 65 K’s. Given Salazas threw an ovxrwhelmind amiunt of fasgcalls last seaxon (65.2%), it wplj be interesting to sec whejhsr he can develip yis changeup inyo x mjrv ehfectyee pitch to dhrod mute ofgen. If his iitzhinb selection continuev in a predictable patyevn, then okposing bwtters will acjust and gain a clmpetmtive edvantsge. Therefore, although Salazar’s fzstball plsef an immediaee tmreaj, his potencial will be actualized through the deveoopment of his othwr pitches.

To analyzg Sslazar’s projress jast seasmn, I explored his peeformance indepencent of fielding. Divising hhs gales started sample in half by date, there is a clear indication of his FIP stabilizing as he thrrw moge nnnnngs. Thys iidmcates that Sal
acquisition of Axford was an optimistic signing very back fire. demonstrated dominance as and however, it appears his fastball and have actually regressed in recent years. example, I compared Axford’s curveball accuracy based on release speed for 2010/2011 and The results are presented below: Figure 2: John Axford's Curve Ball Zone Location on Speed & Figure 3: John Axford's Curve Ball Zone Location Dependent on Release Speed (2012 & 2013) From to 2013 we can see a considerable difference Axford’s curveball accuracy, so downward trend is a red for upcoming season. lack command an immediate spike his HR/FB ratio. The Ax Man's 2.4 and 6.0 HR/FB in 2010 and 2011 shot all the up to 17.2 in and respectfully, his inability to strike zone left hitters waiting for to drive out of the park. Bottom line, best days very well behind him. Nevertheless, there not appear to be any decrease in velocity, if he can improve his pitch location then the Indians might have gotten a bargain 30 year old right One to Watch: Salazar were exciting on the to choose from, but none more exciting than the 23-year-old RHP the Dominican Republic. Salazar displayed excellence on the mound during 52-inning in MLB last emerging as the Cleveland flame strike out sensation with Given threw of last (65.2%), it will be to see whether he can his changeup into a more often. If his pitching selection continues in predictable pattern, then opposing batters will adjust gain a competitive advantage. Therefore, although Salazar’s fastball poses an immediate threat, potential will through the development of his other pitches. To Salazar’s progress last season, explored his performance independent of fielding. Dividing his games sample half by there is a indication of his stabilizing as he innings. This that
 acquisition of Axford was an oPtimistic sIgninG thAt cOuLd veRy eaSily back fire. He DEmonStrated dominance as the BRewer’S cLOser IN 2010 aNd 2011; howEver, it aPPeARS thAt HiS faStBAlL and cUrvEball haVe actually RegReSsed in recent YEaRs. For exampLe, I Compared AxfoRd’s CurvebAlL acCUracy BasEd on rElease SPeed foR 2010/2011 and 2012/2013. The reSuLTs are pREsented BELoW:

FigUre 2: John Axford's CurVE BALl Zone Location dependEnT On rELeaSe SPeed (2010 & 2011)

Figure 3: joHn AxfORd's CurvE baLL zOne lOcation DependEnt on ReleasE speEd (2012 & 2013)

From 2010 To 2013 We cAN see a cOnsidErABle Difference iN AxfOrd’s curveBall acCUracy, so THis downWard trEnd Is a Red fLAg FoR thE uPComINg SeaSOn. HIs lack in CoMmAnd wiTnesSED AN immEdiAte sPike iN his HR/FB ratio. the ax MaN'S 2.4 anD 6.0 HR/FB In 2010 and 2011 Shot AlL the wAy up to 19.2 And 17.2 in 2012 AnD 2013 respectfully, heNce hIs inabiliTy tO fInd ThE striKE zone lEft HitTers waiTing for THe hAnGING cUrveball to drive out Of THE pArk. BottoM line, AXFoRd’S Best days MaY veRy weLL BehinD him. nEvErthelesS, there DOeS nOt appeaR tO be any DeCreAse In velOCity, So if he Can improVe his PItch location thEN the Indians miGHt HAVe GOtteN a bArgain on the 30 Year OLd riGht hANdEr.

ONE to WaTch: DaNnY saLAzar

There were many exCiTing plAyers On the Tribe to cHoose from, bUT NOne more eXcitINg THan the 23-year-old RhP froM the DominiCAn RepublIc. SalAzar dispLayed exceLLEnce on thE moUnd DurIng HIS sHort 52-inning strETCh in mLb last seAsoN, emergiNg aS thE ClEveLaNd Indians Flame thrOwInG, sTrIke Out seNSation wiTh 65 k’s. GIvEn SAlazaR Threw aN overWhelMiNg AMouNt of fasTBaLLS lasT sEaSon (65.2%), iT wiLl Be intEresTIng To see whEther he caN deVElop HiS cHangeup Into a more effeCtIve pitch to ThRow More ofTEN. If his piTching selection continueS In a predIctAble pAtteRn, then oppOsiNg battErs WIll adjUst and Gain a CoMpeTITive aDVAnTagE. THerefore, alTHOugH SalaZaR’s faStball pOses an immediate thrEAt, hIs potential wiLl bE actUALiZed THrOUgh ThE DevELOpment of his otheR pitches.

To AnALyZe Salazar’s PRogReSs last sEason, I eXplorED his perFormance iNdependenT oF fieLDIng. dividing hiS games stArted sampLE in haLF bY date, TheRe is a cLeAr iNdicaTion of HIs FiP staBiliziNg As he thRew moRe Innings. THis indicates that Sal
 acquisition of Axford was  an optimi sticsig nin gthat  cou ld very easily back  fire. He demonstrated  domi na n ce a s  t he Br ewer’sc lo s e r i n20 10an d  2 011;how ever, i t appearstha this fastball an d curvebal l h ave actually  re gresse dinr ecent  ye ars.For ex a mple,I compare dA xford’ s  curveb a l laccu racy based on rel e as e  speed for 201 0/2011  a n d2 0 12/ 201 3. The res ul ts ar e  presen t ed b e low : 

Figure 2: J ohn Axford' s  Cu rve Ba ll  Zo n e Loca tionDe p end ent on Rele aseSpeed (20 10 & 2 0 11)

Fi g ure 3:John A xfo rd' s Cu r ve  B all  Z o neL oc ati o n D ependent  o nRelea se S p e e d  (20 12& 20 13)
From 2010 to201 3 we can  seea con side ra ble d iffere nce i nAxford’s curveb allaccuracy,  so  t his  d ownwa r d tren d i s a  red fl ag fort heup c o m in g season. His lack  i n co mmand wi tnesse d  a ni mmediate  s pik e in h is HR /FBr at io. TheAx Man ' s2. 4 and 6 .0  HR/FB  i n 2 010  and2 011shot a ll the w ay up to 19.2 and 17 . 2 in 2012 and 20 1 3  r e spec tfu lly, hencehisi nabi lity to  fi n d the  stri ke zo n e left hitters wait in g forthe h anging curveb all to dri v e out of t he p a rk .  Bottom line,Axfor d’s best d a ys may v ery w ell behi nd him. N e v ertheles s,the redoe s no t appear to b e anyde creaseinvelocit y,soifheca n improve  his pit ch  l oc at ion  then the Indi an s m ig hthaveg ottena bar gain  o nt he30 year ol d righ tha nder .
On e toWatc h : D anny Sa lazar

Th ere were  m an y excit ing players o nthe Tribeto  ch oose f r o m, but n one more exciting thant he 23-y ear -oldRHPfrom theDom inican  Re p ublic.  Salaz ar di sp lay e d  exce l l en ceon  the mound d uri ng hi sshor t 52-in ning stretch in ML B  la st season, em erg inga s  t heC le v ela nd Ind i a ns flame throwi ng, strike  o u tsensationw ith  6 5 K’s.Given S alaza r  threwan overwh elming am ou nt o f fas tballs las t season  (65.2%), it wi l lbe in ter esting  t o s ee wh etherh e c an de velophi s chan geupin to a mor e effective pitch to th row mo re of ten . If hispit c hin g selecti on c ontinues i n a  pr edict abl e  patt ern, th eno pposi ng b a tters wil l  a dju s t  a nd gain a c o m p eti tiveadv a ntage.  The refore, althoughS alazar’s fastb allp o ses  an imme di ate threat, hi s p ot e n tial wil lbe actualiz ed throu gh the d evelop ment o f his o t h er pitche s.
Toanalyze S ala za r ’s prog re ss last s easo n,  I exp loredh is p e r formance indepen dento f  fiel d ing . Div id ing his game s startedsample in h alf by  dat e, th ere isaclearind ic ation of h i s FIP sta biliz ing ashe  thr ewmore i nnin g s . Thi s in di cat es that S a l 
 acquisition_of Axford_was an optimistic signing_that could_very_easily back_fire._He demonstrated dominance_as the Brewer’s_closer in 2010 and_2011; however, it_appears_that his fastball and curveball have actually regressed in recent years. For example, I_compared_Axford’s curveball_accuracy_based_on release speed for 2010/2011_and 2012/2013. The results are_presented below:

Figure_2: John Axford's Curve Ball Zone Location Dependent_on_Release Speed (2010_& 2011)

Figure 3: John Axford's Curve Ball Zone Location_Dependent on Release Speed (2012 &_2013)

From 2010 to_2013_we_can see a considerable_difference in Axford’s curveball accuracy, so_this downward trend is a red_flag for the upcoming season. His lack_in command witnessed an immediate spike_in his HR/FB ratio. The_Ax Man's_2.4 and 6.0 HR/FB in_2010 and 2011_shot all_the way up_to 19.2 and 17.2 in 2012_and 2013 respectfully,_hence his inability to find the_strike_zone left hitters_waiting_for_the hanging_curveball to drive_out_of the_park._Bottom line, Axford’s best days may_very_well behind him. Nevertheless, there does not_appear to be any_decrease_in velocity, so if_he can improve his pitch_location then the Indians might have_gotten a_bargain on_the 30 year old right hander.

One to Watch: Danny Salazar

There were_many exciting players on the Tribe_to choose from, but_none more_exciting_than the 23-year-old_RHP_from the_Dominican Republic. Salazar displayed excellence on the_mound during_his short 52-inning stretch in MLB_last season, emerging as_the_Cleveland Indians flame throwing, strike out_sensation with 65 K’s. Given Salazar_threw an overwhelming amount of_fastballs_last_season (65.2%), it will be_interesting to see whether he can_develop his changeup_into a more effective pitch to throw_more_often. If his pitching selection continues_in_a predictable pattern, then opposing batters_will_adjust_and gain a competitive advantage._Therefore, although Salazar’s fastball poses an_immediate threat, his potential will be actualized through the_development of his_other pitches.

To analyze Salazar’s progress_last_season,_I explored his performance independent of fielding. Dividing his games_started sample_in half by_date, there is a clear indication of his FIP stabilizing_as he threw more innings. This indicates_that Sal