Johan Yan
Former AAA RHP Rangers, Mexico
1. Could you tell us your story on dropping down?
I started in 2010 after 3 years as a 3B and one year as normal pitcher from over the top. Then Danny Clark told me about dropping my arm angle because my ball was very straight. I wasn't sure about it at the time but the next day I tried it and I understood why. I said ok let's try this.
2. What are some of the advantages you have from your arm angle?
I think I didn't have any advantages cause I still had to make the right pitches. My arm didn't hurt after I pitched like it normally did after.
3. If you didn't drop down, do you think you would have had the same success?
Absoultey not, I think it was the time for me. But no I wouldn't have done it earleir.
4. What would you tell someone debating on changing their arm angle?
What I can say to somebody is that the more you can repeat your mechanics the more success you'll have.
5. Are there any mechanical tips that you'd give to someone throwing sidearm/submarine?
A personal tip I would have, is direction to where I wanna throw the ball with my front arm and try to extend my right arm at the same time. When I do that at the same time I had more balance and the more I extended my arm, I got more movement.
6. What pitches do you throw?
Sinker 85-92
Slider: 70-78
Change: 80-86
7. How do you pitch to lefties/righties?
Normally to righties, I would go sinkers in and sliders away. I pitch different to every hitter but normally the location that I use with Righties, with lefties I use my backdoor slider early in the count and backfoot slider later in the count. Sometimes use changeup outside and throw a lot of sinkers inside.
8. What is your favorite part about pitching from down there?
My favourite part of pitching from there is listning to how the hitter talks about us. They are scared of us abd they hate hitting of of us and that makes me so happy!