I have been thinking about this for some time now. Since Contreras throws from either over the top or drop down is that a form of tipping his pitches. Since the drop down is mainly sliders, with the occasional 2 seam fastball, wouldn't the hitter expect slider every time he sees Jose drop down. Conversely when Jose throws over the top its either 4 seam fastball, splitter, or occasionally the change up. So depending on the count and situation (as well as scouting report) isn't the drop down vs. over the top thing a form of tipping pitches before the pitch is thrown. In the very least it seems to narrow down the possibilities, IE you know Jose isn't throwing splitter from the drop down motion.

Edited July 3, 200817 yr by joeynach

When Jose is locked in, the hitter can know what coming and can't hit it. His problem isn't tipping pitches, it's hanging pitches.

To answer the actual question though, yes, it does tip the pitches. I've heard this on a visiting team's broadcast. Can't remember who, but even they said it didn't matter.

Edited July 3, 200817 yr by G&T

Well at the major league level you can tell if a curveball is coming when the pitcher is releasing it since his arm motion is slightly different and he's holding the ball different, and if you're really good you can even see the reverse spin. The thing is, this is the major leagues, and their breaking pitches are disgusting.

He'll throw a splitter from the drop down.