Mariners Spring Training: Felix Using New Mechanics

Mariners ace Felix Hernandez started Spring Training with a small tweak in his mechanics, which he hopes will improve his numbers in 2016.

Although Felix Hernandez won 18 games for the Mariners last year, almost all of his numbers were down. He failed to strike out 200 batters in a season for the first time in seven seasons, his 3.53 ERA was his worst since 2007, and his 23 home runs allowed were the most since his first full season in the majors in 2006. So what does the six-time All Star and Cy Young Award winner do heading into Spring Training? Fix his mechanics, of course.

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Hernandez has a slightly different schedule than the other Mariners pitchers every Spring Training. Eric Wedge, Lloyd McClendon, and now Scott Servais have all allowed the King to start throwing a week after the other pitchers start their annual spring warm-ups. Servias brushed aside questions about the late start yesterday: “We’re just slow playing it,” he said. “He’ll be ready to go April 4th.”

Here’s the new wind up (I don’t think he’ll be twirling in the air after every pitch):

If the wind up produces better results for Felix, he could be in the Cy Young running once again. In 11 seasons with the Mariners, he’s produced a 3.11 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 8.5 K/9. All of those numbers (except K/9, which was the same) were worse in 2015.

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With a few tweaks to the wind up and to his hair style, he could dazzle hitters all season. New mechanics don’t always solve problems, but the prospect of Felix Hernandez improving is a scary thought for the rest of the American League, especially in the West.