“ESPN noted that as good as Aiken’s pure stuff is, his delivery is one of the cleanest they’ve seen out of a high school pitcher in quite some time (making the injury concerns all the more confounding).” It’s not just the delivery…it’s overuse….MLB has an affiliate site called Pitch Smart which they developed after doing some studies (with more ongoing) to figure out why TJS and other injuries have spiked so much since the mid-90s. The very first thing they cite that will influence the likelihood of arm injuries is quoted here. “The single most important factor is daily, weekly and annual overuse.” Aiken is from SD CA and I would be surprised if he did not pitch almost year-round. My nephew was drafted in 2003 by the Expos. The scouts been following him since he was 12 years old. He was offered a very reasonable signing bonus because of his mid 90s FB in HS but they did suggest he get a bit more seasoning at a community college because he did not pitch his senior year in HS (he was a great pitcher but a lousy student…lol). He was considered a draft follow at that point and before he could ever sign he ended up with both elbow and shoulder problems and eventually decided not to pursue a baseball career. He pitched almost year-round from the time he was 10 years old playing on multiple teams and in multiple leagues as well as All-Star Tournaments etc. I am thoroughly convinced, not just from his experience (that was merely an example) that overuse by young pitchers in the past several decades is the main cause of the jump in injuries. Just consider that before 1996 the most TJS surgeries done in one year was 2. They knew how to diagnose it, they knew how to treat it. There just were not as many torn UCL’s because there was not as much overuse.
Absolutely….you can date it to the beginning of the showcase and sport specialization movement. Coupled to the post Nolan Ryan/Roger Clemens effect. I was actually thinking about rotator cuff the other day. Remember when those were rampant? Don’t seem to see as many anymore
To loosely quote the late Dr. Jobe…. Throwing is good, throwing hard all the time is very bad and throwing a curveball properly is not hard on the elbow even for youngsters but what is bad is youngsters not being shown the proper way to throw breaking pitches, that is what hurts the elbow.
I was a top level pitcher in my day..attended a major NCAA baseball program. I didn’t start pitching until I was 11. Two of my boys now are 5 and 6…if they were to start playing baseball theyd already be behind the curve locally…and I’m in a cold weather state. Kids their age are already pitching.
Great question. It’s a shame Aiken didn’t take the ‘stros offer last year but it is surprising to see the Indians offered overslot money. I’d have offered something like 30% below slot and worked from there.
tuna411 is correct. He had to attend IMG because of his eligibility issues this past season. I guess if he wanted to rehab that Tommy John on his own dime using non professional facilities… That’d be his call….he could come back next year with a stronger draft class and fall further down the pipe.
tuna411
My guess is around $1.9 million
Rally Weimaraner
Should have taken the 5 MM
vtadave
Well yeah, but at least he didn’t pull a Matt Harrington.
NoAZPhilsPhan 2
“ESPN noted that as good as Aiken’s pure stuff is, his delivery is one of the cleanest they’ve seen out of a high school pitcher in quite some time (making the injury concerns all the more confounding).” It’s not just the delivery…it’s overuse….MLB has an affiliate site called Pitch Smart which they developed after doing some studies (with more ongoing) to figure out why TJS and other injuries have spiked so much since the mid-90s. The very first thing they cite that will influence the likelihood of arm injuries is quoted here. “The single most important factor is daily, weekly and annual overuse.” Aiken is from SD CA and I would be surprised if he did not pitch almost year-round. My nephew was drafted in 2003 by the Expos. The scouts been following him since he was 12 years old. He was offered a very reasonable signing bonus because of his mid 90s FB in HS but they did suggest he get a bit more seasoning at a community college because he did not pitch his senior year in HS (he was a great pitcher but a lousy student…lol). He was considered a draft follow at that point and before he could ever sign he ended up with both elbow and shoulder problems and eventually decided not to pursue a baseball career. He pitched almost year-round from the time he was 10 years old playing on multiple teams and in multiple leagues as well as All-Star Tournaments etc. I am thoroughly convinced, not just from his experience (that was merely an example) that overuse by young pitchers in the past several decades is the main cause of the jump in injuries. Just consider that before 1996 the most TJS surgeries done in one year was 2. They knew how to diagnose it, they knew how to treat it. There just were not as many torn UCL’s because there was not as much overuse.
Dock_Elvis
Absolutely….you can date it to the beginning of the showcase and sport specialization movement. Coupled to the post Nolan Ryan/Roger Clemens effect. I was actually thinking about rotator cuff the other day. Remember when those were rampant? Don’t seem to see as many anymore
NoAZPhilsPhan 2
To loosely quote the late Dr. Jobe…. Throwing is good, throwing hard all the time is very bad and throwing a curveball properly is not hard on the elbow even for youngsters but what is bad is youngsters not being shown the proper way to throw breaking pitches, that is what hurts the elbow.
Dock_Elvis
I was a top level pitcher in my day..attended a major NCAA baseball program. I didn’t start pitching until I was 11. Two of my boys now are 5 and 6…if they were to start playing baseball theyd already be behind the curve locally…and I’m in a cold weather state. Kids their age are already pitching.
Dock_Elvis
Why go over slot? Is there an actual chance he’d not sign again and go back in the draft next season? He already lost about 3m.
kingjenrry
Great question. It’s a shame Aiken didn’t take the ‘stros offer last year but it is surprising to see the Indians offered overslot money. I’d have offered something like 30% below slot and worked from there.
mrkinsm
Absolutely, he still has 3 years of college eligibility and possibly 4 with a red shirt.
tuna411
No he doesn’t. He was clearly and publicly declared to have representation.
mrkinsm
Incorrect, he can still play college ball, he was never a member of the NCAA.
mrkinsm
I should say “could” – since he’s signed now.
Dock_Elvis
tuna411 is correct. He had to attend IMG because of his eligibility issues this past season. I guess if he wanted to rehab that Tommy John on his own dime using non professional facilities… That’d be his call….he could come back next year with a stronger draft class and fall further down the pipe.
mrkinsm
He attended IMG because he wanted to reenter the draft this season and it was late in the process…it was an easy choice.
rockiessufferer
High risk, high reward.
Giolito fell and now looks like a future true ace. Aiken has talent and if he stays healthy, Cleveland could pair him with Kluber and Bauer for wow.
Dock_Elvis
Aiken was also a QB…so he took some reps throwing a football from a position that put his elbow under stress.