DATE: 04-04-08
LOCATION: COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
OPPONENT: OKLAHOMA STATE
The
Basics
Fastball sat at 92, touched 94. Spotted both sides of plate.
Fastball was put in play a bit more than usual, due to improved
competition as opposed to earlier opponents.
Slider was
83-85 with significant break. Had some at-bats where he would throw
three or more sliders in a row. Only hung one slider badly but it
resulted in a long flyout to left. Simply overpowering at times and
very hard to distinguish from fastball until very close to the plate.
Changeup was used sparingly. Still a distant third pitch. Comes in around 85 mph.
Other Observations
Second
pitch of the game was lined at 100 mph off Crow's chest. He was in
obvious pain but stayed in of course. Many scouts were amazed by this
and at his effectiveness afterwards.
Seven scouts in attendance at this game.
More
balls were put in play, including more flyouts than usual. Pretty solid
contact was made on fastballs. Crow's fastball did not seem to have as
much late life, but it was still a solid pitch.
Mizzou defense
was very good. Two OK State runners thrown out on the bases, however
both made poor decisions to try to take extra bases.
Crow's line...9 IP, 8H, 0BB, 7K.......106 pitches thrown
Stayed ahead in counts. Was rarely far behind in any count.
Weather was cold. Low 40's. Wind was calm.
DBacks, Brewers and Royals all in
attendance. Royals have been in attendance for both Crow starts I have seen along with the Tim Melville start.
Crow
seems to feed off emotion and big situations in games. His mental
approach has been very good both starts I have seen him. It seems at
times he is simply determined to strike a batter out and his slider is
usually very tight when he gets in those situations.
Lots of locked up and half-hearted swings from opposing hitters. It is simply too hard to recognize the slider early enough.
Move was average. I don't think Crow will ever get many pickoff with his current move.
Fielding not tested enough to evaluate fully.
Crow now has a 42.2 IP scoreless streak going.