Jered Weaver Swears Off Machines, Increases Fastball Velocity
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jered Weaver made an unusual adjustment to his routine after starting the season with an 0-2 record.
It was unusual in a sense, because when a pitcher struggles, he may tinker with his mechanics or ditch a certain pitch in his repertoire. The change for Weaver happened in the weight room, where the Angels’ ace scrapped his cable and machine-based workout and incorporated more dumbbell exercises.
For the last few years, Weaver opted for machines because he thought they would ease the tension on a balky biceps tendon, which had been giving him trouble.
Since the switch, the velocity on Weaver’s fastball has jumped from the 86-87 mph range to 88-89 mph, according to the Los Angeles Times. Further, he’s maintained that velocity deeper into games.
Weaver has pitched no fewer than five innings and allowed no more than two earned runs per game in his past seven starts.
Weaver told the Times, “Now that I’ve changed my strength program, I feel there’s progress that has been made, and it’s shown over the last five or six starts.”
If you’re a pitcher in need of an in-season training program, check out this article by baseball performance specialist Tony Gentilcore, co-founder of Cressey Performance in Hudson, Massachusetts. (Yes, you will notice a cable-based exercise or two, but those movements are not the primary lifts of the workout.)
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Jered Weaver Swears Off Machines, Increases Fastball Velocity
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jered Weaver made an unusual adjustment to his routine after starting the season with an 0-2 record.
It was unusual in a sense, because when a pitcher struggles, he may tinker with his mechanics or ditch a certain pitch in his repertoire. The change for Weaver happened in the weight room, where the Angels’ ace scrapped his cable and machine-based workout and incorporated more dumbbell exercises.
For the last few years, Weaver opted for machines because he thought they would ease the tension on a balky biceps tendon, which had been giving him trouble.
Since the switch, the velocity on Weaver’s fastball has jumped from the 86-87 mph range to 88-89 mph, according to the Los Angeles Times. Further, he’s maintained that velocity deeper into games.
Weaver has pitched no fewer than five innings and allowed no more than two earned runs per game in his past seven starts.
Weaver told the Times, “Now that I’ve changed my strength program, I feel there’s progress that has been made, and it’s shown over the last five or six starts.”
If you’re a pitcher in need of an in-season training program, check out this article by baseball performance specialist Tony Gentilcore, co-founder of Cressey Performance in Hudson, Massachusetts. (Yes, you will notice a cable-based exercise or two, but those movements are not the primary lifts of the workout.)