Edwin Quirarte: RHP AAA Giants, Mexico

 

 

1. Could you tell us your story on dropping down?

I started in 2012 when I was struggling with consistency with my pitches over the top.  I was in AA with the San Francisco Giants organization and my pitching coach Ross Grimsley, suggested that I should try it.  I started working on it throwing bull pens 4-5 times a week until I finally felt comfortable. It was a career changing move because it led me to where I’m at now. 

2. What are some of the advantages you have from your arm angle?

A couple advantages throwing sidearm would be deception and movement.  The deceiving part of my arm angle is that I’m throwing off the third base side of the rubber and my release point is behind the right handed hitter.  The arm angle and my wrist position helps create more sink on the ball, which helps me get more groundballs.

3. If you didn't drop down, do you think you would have had the same success?

I definitely wouldn’t have had the same success.   A lot of it was mental and I became more confident in my pitches and movement, once I started throwing side arm. Throwing side arm has also allowed me to recover quicker and as of a result I have been able to throw 4-5 days in a row. Yes because I have had more success throwing sidearm than I did over the top.

4. What would you tell someone debating on changing their arm angle?

 If they personally thinks it’s going to save their career then I would recommend, but I know in the game today, people look for hard throwing pitchers but with side arm there isn’t much velocity.  I think it just depends where they are at in their career.  

5. Are there any mechanical tips that you'd give to someone throwing sidearm/submarine?

These are tips that I tell myself that has helped me.  It has to do with my weight being balanced and not rushing forward.  I used to throw across my body and then it made it harder to throw pitches away to righties and in on lefties. But now I just make sure I open up my front hip a little bit quicker and just focus on finishing forward.  I try to throw everything down the middle because I know it’s not going to end up there. 

6. What pitches do you throw?

Fastball, slider, change up and a splitter.  I liked to add and subtract the velocity on my fastball and slider.  My fastball this year was anywhere from 86-92 mph.  But I would normally sit 88-90 mph.  

7. How do you pitch to lefties/righties?

The righties I like to go fastballs in, sliders away.  Lefties I show inside when I see them leaning but mostly I stay away. I’ll also show them a backdoor slider and a split.  

8. Lastly what is your favorite part about pitching from down there?

The movement and the ability to bounce back quicker.  I love the fact that I’m different from most pitchers.  Coming in pressure situations to face that big hitter and getting out of the jam, that’s one thing that I try to focus on is keeping innings small and stranding runners.