I don't think there is really blame to put around at all. Pitching a baseball is a very unnatural thing to do. Some pitchers like Glavine, Maddux, Clemens, etc are just born with rubber arms. Both these guys throw hard, and game after game it builds on you. They're just too fragile. Shit happens.
Also, wasn't Ben Sheets another one of those overworked young guys? He's having a ton of arm troubles the last few years and I believe he went like 250 innings in one of his early years.
Actually just looked it up. At 22, he went 151 innings. At 23, he went 216, then 220 and then 237. Since then, 156 and 106 thanks to injuries. Not 100% sure if the early work did him in or not though.
Actually just looked it up. At 22, he went 151 innings. At 23, he went 216, then 220 and then 237. Since then, 156 and 106 thanks to injuries. Not 100% sure if the early work did him in or not though.
Clemens came into the majors but only did 133 and 98 his first two years, after that he's gone crazy.
Maddux went 31 and 151 his first two but I don't think he really falls into the category we are talking about since I don't think he's ever been a power pitcher really.
Glavine started at 50 then didn't go over 200 until year 4.
Prior started at 160 his first year then went to 211.
Wood never was overloaded his first few years.
Hell, maybe some guys just can't handle 200+ innings. I don't see a major correlation between pitching a ton at the start and arm troubles but I'd say there seems to be a minor one.
IMO, I also think they don't pitch enough growing up. Guys get on pitch counts early and in the minors hit 110 pitches and are done. They don't ever get used to throwing 130 or so pitches. Their arms aren't conditioned for throwing a lot and throwing often like they used to be.
A could way to check would be to see how the arm history of some of the Japanese pitchers is since they are generally on much higher pitch counts. I think Dice-K has gone upwards of 200 pitches in a game before if I'm not mistaken. I believe he averaged like 150-160 in Japan. I'm assuming the youngsters pitch more as well.
Prior is definitely a case study. Perfect form when pitching to avoid injuries and he's the most injured. Too much velocity maybe? But velocity doesn't hurt all pitchers. Preexisting injury that is getting worn more and more over time? Maybe... This topic is making my head spin trying to figure out how guys with perfect deliveries can get hurt where guys that pitch like their arm is about to fall off can stay healthy.
