Chisolm: Jamie Evans joins Blue Jays

[BigLeagueChew]

ARLINGTON -- Jamie Evans has helped a countless number of pitchers over the years with his Velocity Program, and it has now resulted in a job with the Blue Jays.

MLB.com has learned that Toronto officially hired Evans this week as a consultant to the organization. He is one of the originators of the weighted-ball program, which has been used by the likes of Steve Delabar, Brett Cecil, Casey Janssen and most recently Dustin McGowan.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130616&content_id=50818962&notebook_id=50821196&vkey=notebook_tor&c_id=tor

[Wo1verine]

Good for him to finally get a MLB job for a program that has obviously worked.

[Anatomize]

I was at the game when McGowan first came back in relief, I was really surprised to see him topping out at 95 mph.

[9er_4life]

Great hire. People on here were skeptical about the difference the program would make with Cecil, but we're seeing a new pitcher out there. Even a slight uptick in velocity can have a great psychological effect on a pitcher, giving him confidence and making him more aggressive. He still has to hit his spots, but a pitcher is more likely to do so when he feels good about his stuff.

What I really like about the program is that it was actually originally designed to prevent injuries - hopefully more Jays' pitchers will jump on board and we'll notice a significant difference in our historically fragile pitching staff!

[Raps_Swingman]

With the amount of pitcher's arms exploding we've experienced with this team I 100% agree with this hiring. The proof is there that the program works for velocity, hopefully it works for injury prevention as well.

[duppyy]

Wonder if he had any offers from other teams.

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[Schad]

Can't wait to see Dickey throwing 93 MPH knucklers.

[Avenger]

With the amount of pitcher's arms exploding we've experienced with this team I 100% agree with this hiring. The proof is there that the program works for velocity, hopefully it works for injury prevention as well.

Is there though? I am pretty skeptical, we know Cecil gained some velocity but that's pretty normal for most starters turned relievers, he's throwing as hard as he was when he was a lights out closer for Maryland. And wasn't Casey Jansenn supposed to be on this prgram too? How come he actually lost a significant amount of velocity this year? McGowan is throwing as hard as he was during his last comback, before he was put on the heavy ball program. Delabar is not proof either, most of his gains could be explained by recovering from a devastating elbow injury and regular strength training program.


I have to see evidence that this program works for MLB pitchers who have already been on a regular professional training regimen. A lot of the testimonials about the program come from college pitchers or even amateurs who have never been on a good strength training program.

[Schad]

If it minimizes shoulder injuries -- and strengthening the shoulder muscles should aid that goal, so long as the training itself isn't causing strain -- any velocity gains are gravy.

[Lateral Quicks]

If it minimizes shoulder injuries -- and strengthening the shoulder muscles should aid that goal, so long as the training itself isn't causing strain -- any velocity gains are gravy.

Agreed. From my perspective, the velocity increase is only a bonus; the most important thing is keeping the pitchers healthy.

[SharoneWright]

Can't wait to see Dickey throwing 93 MPH knucklers.

lol.