4/26 Schmidt report (went to game last night)

[nsavio]

For all you Schmidt owners, here's what I saw at the Giants game last night (sitting in straightaway center bleachers where I could see the pitch location):

Schmidt was hitting 95+ on his fastball, but he couldn't throw it where he wanted to. He threw a LOT of changeups. Almost all his Ks were off the change and some at bats he seemed throw almost all changeups.

By the 5th inning, he looked pretty wasted; he barely got through the 5th (glad he did, though, for the win )

Overall, the feeling I had was that he's pretty rusty and not in midseason condition at all. I am hopeful he will return to somewhere near top form, although it's obviously way too soon to tell.

[RedsRebirth]

Well, from what ive heard, the offseason surgery allows him to throw more changeups now. Im sure hes not in great form yet, but seems to be coming around.

[wrveres]

Did you have Binocoluars?

[nsavio]

No binocs, but it's pretty easy to tell an 85 mph changeup down in the zone from a 95 mph fastball up and in, even from 460ft

I was also able to watch his body language, etc. He definitely doesn't look comfortable out there yet, but all told I was encouraged because:

1. He had decent speed on the heater
2. The change looked great
3. The Braves didn't really hit that many balls hard; several of their (admittedly too many) hits were seeing eye grounders.

[wrveres]

Thanks for the scouting report