Dakota Hudson

[ronpolk]

Dakota left his start tonight with only 26 pitches. Elbow tightness. Hope everything is ok. Not that there is ever a good time to have elbow problems and need tommy john, but if it’s now that all but ensures he will miss all of next season.

 

[57stratdawg]

That stinks. He’s quietly had a solid year. His era was under 3 entering tonight.

 

[Russ Wheeler]

I mean, what, if anything, can be done to curb this TJ epidemic? It's almost to the point to where I don't want my son to pitch until he's older to prevent it, just in case he MIGHT be decent and have a future. Of course, that's hypocritical if you are still playing baseball (because other kids have to pitch).

And Hudson is a big guy with a rather easy throwing motion.

A guy told me once that it is because kids aren't as strong nowadays. Not sure that's true, because on the whole I think kids are stronger than they used to be. I do think their ligaments and tendons probably aren't properly developed.

 

[johnson86-1]

I mean, what, if anything, can be done to curb this TJ epidemic? It's almost to the point to where I don't want my son to pitch until he's older to prevent it, just in case he MIGHT be decent and have a future. Of course, that's hypocritical if you are still playing baseball (because other kids have to pitch).

And Hudson is a big guy with a rather easy throwing motion.

A guy told me once that it is because kids aren't as strong nowadays. Not sure that's true, because on the whole I think kids are stronger than they used to be. I do think their ligaments and tendons probably aren't properly developed.

I think kids are stronger b/c there is more emphasis on weightlifting but less development of core muscles. Have a friend who is a physical therapist who had two of her sons friends have cracked vertebrae. Don't know how it happened but she thinks it's lifting weights and doing contact drills without developing their muscles in a well rounded way. Her jr. high son was asking to lift weights so she had him do a plank and he could only hold it for a ridiculously short amount of time, and he's a very active kid that appears to be in as good a shape as you could expect.

 

[jethreauxdawg]

Not an expert

I mean, what, if anything, can be done to curb this TJ epidemic? It's almost to the point to where I don't want my son to pitch until he's older to prevent it, just in case he MIGHT be decent and have a future. Of course, that's hypocritical if you are still playing baseball (because other kids have to pitch).

And Hudson is a big guy with a rather easy throwing motion.

A guy told me once that it is because kids aren't as strong nowadays. Not sure that's true, because on the whole I think kids are stronger than they used to be. I do think their ligaments and tendons probably aren't properly developed.

But if my kid pitched, I’d make sure there were super low pitch counts. Let several kids combine to pitch the amount the starter normally handles. This want happen, because that would mean you would likely give up more runs. Also, probably some truth to what that guy told you. Kids don’t seem to do as many outdoor activities that build overall strength. And I’m guessing kids are more interested in throwing as fast as possible. Do kids want to be Greg Maddux when they grow up or hit 100 on the gun?

 

[ronpolk]

I mean, what, if anything, can be done to curb this TJ epidemic? It's almost to the point to where I don't want my son to pitch until he's older to prevent it, just in case he MIGHT be decent and have a future. Of course, that's hypocritical if you are still playing baseball (because other kids have to pitch).

And Hudson is a big guy with a rather easy throwing motion.

A guy told me once that it is because kids aren't as strong nowadays. Not sure that's true, because on the whole I think kids are stronger than they used to be. I do think their ligaments and tendons probably aren't properly developed.

I don’t really know the answer here. I do highly doubt it’s because kids aren’t as strong, if anything I’d say the opposite. Pitchers are putting a lot more spin and speed on pitchers nowadays and that torque has to be part of the issue. I think kids at a young age playing baseball year round is probably part of the issue. I don’t think that’s an issue at the MLB level though. Guys used to pitch way more innings than they do now (at the pro level). I just wonder how much of it is guys used to pitch through the pain.

But I will say tommy john is not a big problem from a recovery standpoint. Most pitchers, especially at the MLB level, come back just fine. It just takes a little longer time frame.

 

[thekimmer]

It's a repetitive motion injury....

I mean, what, if anything, can be done to curb this TJ epidemic? It's almost to the point to where I don't want my son to pitch until he's older to prevent it, just in case he MIGHT be decent and have a future. Of course, that's hypocritical if you are still playing baseball (because other kids have to pitch).

And Hudson is a big guy with a rather easy throwing motion.

A guy told me once that it is because kids aren't as strong nowadays. Not sure that's true, because on the whole I think kids are stronger than they used to be. I do think their ligaments and tendons probably aren't properly developed.

Athletes who are good enough to play post HS and beyond typically play nearly year round from a early age. Didn't used to be that way. Pitchers are uniquely vulnerable because they subject their arm to the same stress over and over and over again. Sure you can limit pitch counts and the amount one plays but that will also affect how one's talent develops relative to others competing for roster spots. I think the strength thing is the opposite also. I think players are stronger today which puts more stress on tendons and ligaments.

 

[kired]

I've often wondered if it was more common than we realized years ago - but people weren't really looking for it in kids. I wasn't good enough and didn't care enough to play past HS, but my elbow hurt like hell from about the time I turned 16. I quit pitching after 10th grade because it hurt so bad. I could throw about 75% with no problems, but as soon as I threw hard - it would feel like someone stabbed me. But we never had anyone qualified actually look at it. My coach would tell me to go run some foul poles then wrap it in ice.

Icy hot before practice / games, and ice afterwards was my daily routine from January through April. Not saying that's what was wrong with mine - but it wasn't even a consideration in young people 20 years ago.

 

[Russ Wheeler]

I don’t really know the answer here. I do highly doubt it’s because kids aren’t as strong, if anything I’d say the opposite. Pitchers are putting a lot more spin and speed on pitchers nowadays and that torque has to be part of the issue. I think kids at a young age playing baseball year round is probably part of the issue. I don’t think that’s an issue at the MLB level though. Guys used to pitch way more innings than they do now (at the pro level). I just wonder how much of it is guys used to pitch through the pain.

But I will say tommy john is not a big problem from a recovery standpoint. Most pitchers, especially at the MLB level, come back just fine. It just takes a little longer time frame.

Yeah that's the trend it seems. Just get the surgery, sit out a year, then come back throwing gas again. It's better if you're getting the surgery in the pros though, you're making money with your arm at that point, do what you have to do. Guys getting the surgery in high school and early in college, that should not be happening.

 

[Russ Wheeler]

I like this video on the subject: