John D'Acquisto: Former MLB RHP Several teams

 

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

  I was having trouble getting a hitter out named Enos Cabell so I decided to drop down on a fastball and struck him out on a drop down slider...used with other righthand hitters later in my career. It was easier to though in a drop down position than three quarters.

 

2. What are some of the advantages you had from mixing up your arm angles?

It gave me something else to show the hitters especially throwing at 90 plus

 

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

I would have had the same success whether I dropped down or not. But dropping down did give another look to the hitters

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

  Dropping down has worked for a lot of pitchers in the past Tellkuve, Ziegler in Arizona today, Quisenberry, just to name a few very tough to hit.

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

Same motion just drop down and stay square to,the target the catcher

6. What pitches did you throw?

I threw a fastball 93 tops at 95 slider88 tops 89 curveball touch yo hit 80 tops 82. The curve was really effective

7. How did you pitch to lefties/righties? when would you drop down? 

Used it mostly to right handlers... Fastballs away curves and sliders middle of the plate away...never used it against lefties

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

Keeping the ball down was easy and I had a riser from down under with my fastball