Pitching Mechanics Voiceover: Andy Sonnanstine
May 21, 2008 – 2:10 am
Ohio’s own (I’m from Cleveland), Andy Sonnanstine hails from Barberton and attended college at Kent State University. Though Sonnanstine posted a 5.85 ERA last year and currently has a 4.53 ERA, his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) stats are 4.26 and 3.89, respectively. That indicates he is the recipient of some poor defense behind him and is simply getting unlucky instead of him being a subpar pitcher.
Sonnanstine throws a ton of different pitches for strikes. Here’s his 2007 Pitch f/x data, courtesy of Josh Kalk’s site:
| type | Speed (MPH) | Break x (inches) | Break z (inches) | Balls | Strikes Called | Strikes Swinging | Foul/Foul tip | In play outs | Singles | Doubles | Triples | Home Runs |
| Fastball | 87.93 | 0.33 | 8 | 135 | 101 | 32 | 72 | 55 | 17 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| Curveball | 72.64 | 10.74 | -1.67 | 27 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Slider | 77.71 | 7.61 | 0.49 | 41 | 19 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Change | 81.39 | -7.12 | 4.39 | 23 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Cutter | 87.73 | -6.86 | 5.35 | 53 | 27 | 9 | 26 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Splitter | 81.46 | 5.27 | 7.94 | 23 | 10 | 3 | 18 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
If that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will. Read on!
Sonnanstine’s peripherals are great, for the most part. He walks less than 2 batters per game, allows less than 1 home run per game, but his strikeout rate is below 5. Regardless, his k/bb ratio is quite good and his GB/FB/LD rates are improving as well:
Sonnanstine also throws from various different arm angles, which adds to his deception. In theory, it should make his control worse, but it doesn’t seem to affect him due to his very good walk rates.
And now, on to the video! I wanted to keep it shorter that Scherzer’s analysis, but it looks like it clocks in at just over 17 minutes. Sorry! There’s a bunch of good stuff in there about Sonnanstine compared to Roy Oswalt, though!
3 Responses to “Pitching Mechanics Voiceover: Andy Sonnanstine”
actually The Duke does not throw with different arm angles anymore. this is a myth perpetuated by the media.
go back and look at the release points on the Pitchf/x or read this link
RAYS INDEX
By The Professor on May 21, 2008
Great job.
Curious how you might explain Sonny’s great SB/CS numbers (something atypical of Rays pitchers) given his slow delivery.
By ttnorm on May 21, 2008
Excellent as always… love your work. I’ve been keeping an eye on Sonnanstine’s potential fantasy value and this helps a lot.
Just also wanted to add that nobody outside New York cares about a currently-hurt Phil Hughes…
PLEASE do Tim Lincecum!
By Stephen K. on May 22, 2008