UNNECESSARY PANIC OVER CHAPMAN'S VELOCITY

I hate when the papers get all crazy about a players performance the first week of Opening Day.  I think everyone forgets that this is the human body and nothing in this game is automatic.  Look at Ardolis Chapman and the New York Post for instance...

The headline makes you dive in for more... "Oh my God, what's wrong with Chapman? Is he pitching too slow? What do we do?"  Come on, man.

Aroldis Chapman’s lack of velocity already raising alarm bells 

Seems serious. But is it? It's March 30th.  I look at my own kid playing high school ball and playing exhibition right now. These kids are better than their playing. They seem slower. Their velocity isn't up. The power may be there, but really driving the ball isn't.  My point is, all these players are human. While they have a job to do, it's way early.

The Post writes: "The Yankees closer’s calling-card four-seam fastball that routinely pushes the speed guns into triple digits averaged 95.3 mph, according to Brooks Baseball."  Oh... we can blame Brooks Baseball for the panic. I get it.

The post goes on:

"A scout who saw the left-handed Chapman in spring training didn’t discover any red flags..." It went on to say the scout just noticed he was working in more breaking balls. Another scout was very concerned... "The velocity is down and he threw more breaking balls than I have ever seen him throw. It is one thing to work on things in spring training, but now the season is here and the velocity is down..." 

Relax. There's a reason why that scout wasn't named. That statement is stupid. We haven't even touched April. Please give me a break.

Could there be concern about inflammation in Chapman? Of course. What happens if there is... he's out for a bit. No matter... we still have a great pen and he can heal.  Will he be back... It will be what it will be.

I hate panic folks. One day at a time... one season at a time. Literally one game in MARCH at a time... Please.