My post a couple weeks ago in response to the Bob McClure Q&A posted at FanGraphs generated a fair amount of positive attention, but also some criticism. Which is to be expected. I received more than a few emails (look for those in a future KoK Mailbag, because I think it’s important to give both sides of this argument about pitching) in which it was pretty clear that I’m not explaining my side very well. I’ll try to do better.

So as a way to better explain things, to give a different perspective, and to get a little (or a lot) more in depth about pitching, I’ll be talking with some old colleagues about their philosophies and breaking down some of the Royals players individually, as we see them.

First up, is Mike Neal. In 2007 I was asked to open and be the Head Trainer at Regal Athletic, a training facility specifically focused on pitchers and using the methods designed by Ron Wolforth, and the Athletic Pitcher Program. We weren’t positive how the program would work in a facility setting, but we were confident in the program itself and what it sought out to do: to put the athleticism back into pitching. (more…)