Cards sign Mickey Wiers?

[DannyCooksey]

I heard Bernie Miklasz over the weekend talk about a 5'7 lefty the Cardinals signed named Mickey Wiers. Anyone know anything about this guy? Miklasz talked about some unorthodox breaking ball he throws. Anyone know anything? I thought he said he was from Illinois somewhere downstate?

They could use a good lefty propspect I think.

 

[DannyCooksey]

Miklasz has reported that Mickey Wiers is from Chebanse, IL. Apparently he throws a split-finger screwball? OMG my arm is killing me just thinking about that pitch.

Miklasz thinks he has a future based on a talk with David Duncan. Should be interesting. Kind of a odd name.

 

[thefish7]

Miklasz has reported that Mickey Wiers is from Chebanse, IL. Apparently he throws a split-finger screwball? OMG my arm is killing me just thinking about that pitch.

Miklasz thinks he has a future based on a talk with David Duncan. Should be interesting. Kind of a odd name.

A split-finger screwball just sounds like a fancy way of saying screwball... the screwball, like a curve, can be gripped many different ways. Strange thing though, is that the split finger grip on a fastball is all about reducing the amount of grip you have on the ball, while curve and screwball grips are generally designed to increase purchase.

 

[Da Coach]

I don't know anything about this name.

The only thing I can find on Google about him is another message board discussion on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch site--

http://www.stltoday.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=469249&sid=559aa9c44b039cbad4415ac3ba5a37d7

 

[DannyCooksey]

Miklasz has reported that Mickey Wiers is from Chebanse, IL. Apparently he throws a split-finger screwball? OMG my arm is killing me just thinking about that pitch.

Miklasz thinks he has a future based on a talk with David Duncan. Should be interesting. Kind of a odd name.

A split-finger screwball just sounds like a fancy way of saying screwball... the screwball, like a curve, can be gripped many different ways. Strange thing though, is that the split finger grip on a fastball is all about reducing the amount of grip you have on the ball, while curve and screwball grips are generally designed to increase purchase.

fish

Good points and you are probably right. That makes sense. I haven't heard of anyone throwing a screw ball since Valenzuela when I was a kid. Miklasz said he had Tommy John surgery (who hasn't it seems? ) a few years ago, so maybe the torque from this pitch has been a problem? Maybe.

When i first heard about this kid and this pitch, I thought about former Cardinal reliever Steve Peters. He was with them briefly in the late 80's, I think. he was a situational lefty with a tremendous curveball. I remember he gripped it by crossing his index and middle fingers over one another across the seems. Most unique grip I'd ever seen. He had a great deuce though.

When I was reading about this little Mickey Wiers guy, I immediately thought of Peters. He was also a short lefty. I am intrigued. I'd like to see this guy pitch.

 

[thefish7]

Miklasz has reported that Mickey Wiers is from Chebanse, IL. Apparently he throws a split-finger screwball? OMG my arm is killing me just thinking about that pitch.

Miklasz thinks he has a future based on a talk with David Duncan. Should be interesting. Kind of a odd name.

A split-finger screwball just sounds like a fancy way of saying screwball... the screwball, like a curve, can be gripped many different ways. Strange thing though, is that the split finger grip on a fastball is all about reducing the amount of grip you have on the ball, while curve and screwball grips are generally designed to increase purchase.

fish

Good points and you are probably right. That makes sense. I haven't heard of anyone throwing a screw ball since Valenzuela when I was a kid. Miklasz said he had Tommy John surgery (who hasn't it seems? ) a few years ago, so maybe the torque from this pitch has been a problem? Maybe.

When i first heard about this kid and this pitch, I thought about former Cardinal reliever Steve Peters. He was with them briefly in the late 80's, I think. he was a situational lefty with a tremendous curveball. I remember he gripped it by crossing his index and middle fingers over one another across the seems. Most unique grip I'd ever seen. He had a great deuce though.

When I was reading about this little Mickey Wiers guy, I immediately thought of Peters. He was also a short lefty. I am intrigued. I'd like to see this guy pitch.

Screwballs are nasty... Throwing a screwball actually ruined my shoulder, so you could be on to something there. Though, if he's really 5'7 that's the reason no ones heard of them because baseball scouts hate any pitcher who isn't at least 6'3.

 

[DannyCooksey]

There is a nice full length interview with Mickey on the Post-Disptach forum "Cards Talk" located in the thread which bears his name. he seems like a great kid. I hope he makes it. he has his priorities straight, too.

He hasn't pitched in a while due to a tender foot, but hopefully he'll be back on the hill soon.

Best of luck to Mickey!!!!!!

 

[DannyCooksey]

bump


anyone hear anything more about this prospect? Does he have a chance to break spring training with the big club?

 

[Scouter]

anyone hear anything more about this prospect? Does he have a chance to break spring training with the big club?

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I haven't heard anything, but I someone mentioned they don't remember seeing a screwballer since Valenzuela. The Cardinals actually had one about 10 years ago in Rick Croushore. That pitch was nasty on occasion, but he pretty much stunk as a pitcher.