RE: J. T. Chargois
More news from Dodger website:
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Having spent more time on the mend than on the mound over the past five years, newly signed Dodgers right-hander J.T. Chargois said he was already counting his blessings Monday, when he threw his first bullpen session since being claimed off waivers Friday.
Chargois, 27, was a top prospect for the Twins when they drafted him in the second round in 2012, but he soon fell victim to arm troubles. He had Tommy John surgery in '13, missed '14 as he recovered and, after healthy '15 and '16 seasons, was limited to two Minor League appearances in '17 as he dealt with more elbow problems.
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Chargois avoided surgery, but had to make mechanical changes to his delivery to mitigate the force his 100-mph fastball was exerting on his arm.
"I was kind of a violent thrower to begin with," Chargois said Monday. "It really started with my upper half and kind of a jerking motion with my shoulders. My arm was the thing that was accelerating the throw and my arm was the thing that was decelerating the throw. As much as I thought I was using my legs before, I realized that come on, you're breaking down this much and there's nothing deficiently wrong with you, so it's mechanical."
Chargois averaged 96.2 mph on his fastball in 2016, when he compiled a 4.70 ERA over 25 innings for Minnesota, including a 0.79 ERA in his final 13 appearances as a rookie.
"He's got a big arm," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "It really comes out at a lower slot, but the ball has life."
"I was kind of a violent thrower to begin with," Chargois said Monday. "It really started with my upper half and kind of a jerking motion with my shoulders. My arm was the thing that was accelerating the throw and my arm was the thing that was decelerating the throw. As much as I thought I was using my legs before, I realized that come on, you're breaking down this much and there's nothing deficiently wrong with you, so it's mechanical."
Chargois averaged 96.2 mph on his fastball in 2016, when he compiled a 4.70 ERA over 25 innings for Minnesota, including a 0.79 ERA in his final 13 appearances as a rookie.
"He's got a big arm," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "It really comes out at a lower slot, but the ball has life."
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