Robby Scott: LHP Red Sox/Diamondbacks
1. Could you tell us your story on dropping down?
Guess I started in 2014 in the Arizona Fall League. Going into 2015 Spring Training I kind of went from there.
2. What are some of the advantages you have from your arm angle?
I would say a big advantage is that it gives another look for both lefties and righties. I’ve been told that with my arm angle it’s pretty hard to see for left handed hitter. For a righty, I don’t drop down as much but still do it just to show it to them.
3. If you didn't drop down, do you think you would have had the same success?
It’s tough for me to say yes. In 2014 my splits were pretty much backwards. Lefties were hitting .300 and righties were hitting .200 vs me in AA. In the AFL the Red Sox coaches told me I needed to be better vs lefties if gonna be successful at the next level. As everyone in the baseball community knows, lefties need to be able to get lefties out.
4. What would you tell someone debating on changing their arm angle?
I would really need to see the player first. You would have to take a look and see if dropping down is really adding something. Definitely has to be the right time or reason in doing it though. Perhaps a last chance or being asked to be the organization.
5. Are there any mechanical tips that you'd give to someone throwing sidearm/submarine?
For me I find it important to stay back over the rubber. Also important to not get your fingers below the baseball, otherwise you lose your sink and the ball stays up in the zone. Make sure the fingers stay behind the baseball. Stay down in the zone. Versus lefties for me, I really try to let the movement get in on them. There are a lot of similarities though really with both arm angles. It’s definitely not easy though to bounce around with two different arm slots. I’m a big believer in flat grounds, for me almost every day. Bullpen wise, warming up I’m usually a higher arm slot, then will gradually drop down. I try to read the situation in the pen too. If I’m going to be coming in just for one lefty, then I will warm up mostly with lower arm slot. Was fortunate enough to work with Brad Ziegler last year and he has been doing it for a long time. It really is a skill that takes time to develop though. Found the breaking ball was tough to repeat at first, especially when mixing up my different arm angles. For me, the off-season is a lot of work getting ready for Spring Training. I have to get ready with two arm slots. It’s still a work in progress but I’m working on getting more run and break on my slider.
6. What pitches do you throw?
Fastball, slider - 86-88 mph,
7. How do you pitch to lefties/righties?
Once you get to the big leagues, there is a lot of advanced scouting. I try to pay attention to certain hitters. Lefties- I would stay more with lower arm slot. I will come over the top for a change up to them. I believe that is a pitch not used enough in lefty-lefty matchup, is the changeup. Righties- I will drop down occasionally to show it. Drop down to sneak it on a middle of the order type guy. Overall though more higher arm slot to them, curve, change. For both I’m really just trying to read the hitters swing and figure out when to drop down and sneak it in there.
8. Lastly what is your favorite part about pitching from down there?
When I first started, it was just fun to experiment and try something new. I love the reaction I get from the hitters. ‘Really he has that too?” messing around with the hitter. Remember watching guys pitch sidearm/submarine in HS/college and I didn’t ever think that would be me throwing from there.
