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Chris Reed of prospectreport.com catches up with the Jays' future. The promising youngster wasn't sure about the training regimen required for Oakland pitchers:

"Pitchers throw five tosses at 45 feet and then every three throws move back 15 feet. You end up throwing farther, but not as much. Its kind of neat, but weird at first. I was skeptical, but obviously it works for them," Arnold said.

Cory Lidle (you know, the only 8-game winner in the major leagues) still does this routine, even on game day. Earlier this season at the Dome, I watched in amazement as he threw strikes from at least 150 feet, immediately before his final warmups on the bullpen mound. Jays fans should be very happy if Arnold develops into another Lidle.
Posted by Coach on Sunday, May 25 2003 @ 09:02 AM EDT.
Jason Arnold Profile | 5 comments | Create New Account
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Pistol - Sunday, May 25 2003 @ 09:42 AM EDT (#101864) #
Arnold's 14-3 record, 1.97 earned run average and 150 strikeouts in 119 innings was enough to be named second team All-American. It was also enough for the New York Yankees to make him their second round pick in the 2001 draft.

Arnold laughed, "My first reaction was, 'The Yankees? I hate the Yankees!'

I knew I liked him!
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_Jordan - Sunday, May 25 2003 @ 11:01 PM EDT (#101865) #
After getting hammered in his first appearance, Arnold has mowed down the opposition in two consecutive scoreless outings: 11 IP, 11 H, 3 BB, 12 K. He could be in Toronto by September at this rate -- maybe sooner, though I see no reason to push him. All systems go.

Interesting note on another Skychiefs pitcher -- after starting the season dismally, Mike Smith has now allowed two runs or fewer in four consecutive starts and is at 3-1, 4.84. I still think he can help this ballclub, though most likely in a relief role.
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_Dr B - Monday, May 26 2003 @ 12:59 AM EDT (#101866) #
John Sickels was reasonably high on Mike Smith (and Brandon Lyon if I remember correctly) though it was perhaps in absence of any other Jays prospects. Mike Smith *is* still one of the better pitching prospects that the Jays have in AAA (with Thurman, and now Arnold) though his confidence must have taken a bit of a beating in the majors.
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_R Billie - Monday, May 26 2003 @ 01:04 AM EDT (#101867) #
From what I saw of Smith last year, I don't think he has a major league role outside of the bullpen unless he develops an effective pitch versus lefties or an out pitch in general. His fastball is hard but hitters just kept fouling it off until they got a pitch they could handle...his breaking pitches weren't fooling many people.
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_Dr B - Monday, May 26 2003 @ 05:28 PM EDT (#101868) #
Yes, I think you are right. A bit more time in the minors will at least give him the opportunity to develop this.

I always thought that a similar problem afflicted Esteban Loaiza. He never seemed to be able to finish off hitters. I remember batters fouling off pitch after pitch. He has success now somehow. I haven't seen him pitch recently so I have no idea what he is doing right which he wasn't before.
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