Billy Koch worked a scoreless inning for the third time this spring today against the Padres.

The results have been good, but according to reports, Koch's velocity remains in the low-90s. Since he doesn't have a lot to go along with his straight fastball, we're not going to be very optimistic about his chances of reemerging as a quality closer unless he starts throwing 95+ mph again.

I agree with this, unless he's developed another pitch because his fastball is way too straight.

Billy Koch worked a scoreless inning for the third time this spring today against the Padres.

The results have been good, but according to reports, Koch's velocity remains in the low-90s. Since he doesn't have a lot to go along with his straight fastball, we're not going to be very optimistic about his chances of reemerging as a quality closer unless he starts throwing 95+ mph again.

it got up to 94 this spring thus far he could add a couple more mph to his fastball by the end of spring training easily

I used to buy all the baseball magazines in the late Winter/Early Spring and read them religiously. Played Fantasy Baseball and tried to get a leg up on everybody else by following the analysis of these folks, but I soon learned that predictions and analysis done in the Winter and real early in ST don't usually tell you that much. I prefer to hear what Billy Koch feels, how Cooper, Williams and Guillen comment and how the playuers see their team mates. It certainly appears right now that Koch is healthy and is purposely keeping his speed down so as to concentrate on other things such as hitting his spots and being consistent, etc. I think the spped will be back and if it reached the 95-98 MPH area then we have a success.

Tommy G. was effective with his 96 tops fastball but ONLY when he could get his awesome curve over. If Koch is in the mid-nineties again without another pitch, he is gonna get rocked again. Major league hitters can handle that no problem.

What I want to know is.... how the f*** do you just LOSE 5 MPH on your fastball? How does it just happen? We got f***ing reamed in this deal by Beane... lets just hope Cottsy tears it up this year in the number 5 role.

I agree with this, unless he's developed another pitch because his fastball is way too straight.

Just keep calling him William.

Just keep calling him William.

Or Botch. Billy's not goin to throw 100 MPH every pitch in Spring Training, so I wouldn't be too worried yet. He needs a good start in Chicago though to get his confidence going, otherwise we'll prob see Marte closing for the year.

Or Botch. Billy's not goin to throw 100 MPH every pitch in Spring Training, so I wouldn't be too worried yet. He needs a good start in Chicago though to get his confidence going, otherwise we'll prob see Marte closing for the year.

Hey Andrew...I just realized, I forgot to email myself your update on Valenzuela. Its on my other computer, not the laptop.

 

Can ya send it my way and then I'll get it right up

Latest on Koch from Roto

 

Billy Koch pitched two more scoreless innings today, but his fastball topped out at just 92 mph.

Most of his pitches showed up at 90-91 mph. The White Sox are still hopeful that he will regain his velocity, but we're not holding our breath. Koch is only recommended at a bargain price this year. He'll open the season as a closer, but he's not even close to being the team's best reliever.

Maybe I dreamt this, but I could have sworn when he was first coming up with Toronto that he had the 102 MPH fastball and that he could through a wicked slider at like 94 as well. Is this right?

 

If so, what happened to the slider? And I, like most of you, am baffled as to where this velocity has gone.

Latest on Koch from Roto

Thanks for posting this Mike. I have yet to see it confirmed that he tossed 94. Even those down there said he hasn't done this.

As long as he gets people out, I don't care if he throws underhanded.

Everything I've been reading says his location is good and all that.

I'll wait to see how he fares in real games.

He's important to this team, but it's not like there's no other closer candidate in that pen.

I'd say maybe he can take a cue from Foulke and become that rare closer who's out pitch is a change-up, but then again you'd need to have a fastball to change up from wouldn't you?

 

Here's hoping Billy gets it done, but he's got his work cut out for himself.

This is amazing; he's gone from 2 years ago reaching 100 MPH on the gun to barely topping 93. How the hell do you lose 7 MPH? It baffles me...

What I want to know is.... how the f*** do you just LOSE 5 MPH on your fastball? How does it just happen? We got f***ing reamed in this deal by Beane... lets just hope Cottsy tears it up this year in the number 5 role.

I saw a game on ESPN Classic the other night from 2002. Koch was throwing against the Red Sox. He was only throwing 94 then.

Let's just remember that he has pitched well this spring and give the guy a break for a little bit. There are plenty of players who aren't having a decent spring to unload on. I think with Koch, we just have to wait and see.

No doubt Koch lost 5-7 or even more MPH off that fastball in '03 becasue of injuries and that led to poor mechanics. This ST he is working on the mechanics and the location. He appears healthy and on Sunday's game on WGN he pitched 2 innings and looked good. No good to throw 100 MPH is you can't hit the plate. I think he is doing the right things at Tucson and listening to comments on TV the people liked what they saw with Billy. The speed will come with the confidence Koch gets with knowing he is healthy and mechanically sound.

If he is back to his old self it gives us a huge boost. I think we have a couple guys who will fill in if he fails. I wouldn't give him too many chances to keep his role.