Player Profile: John Farrell

     John Farrell is a 6’2” 210lb. closer for the College of William and Mary. In fact, he is the college’s all-time leader in saves. He is a strongly-trusted, late-inning reliever for the Bourne Braves. In the summer of 2011, Farrell was selected to the CCBL All-Star team. In 2012, he pitched 42.2 innings making 24 appearances and recorded 8 saves. John posted a 2.32 ERA with a 42 to 14 strikeout to walk ratio. He posted a 1.35 WHIP for the William and Mary Tribe. This summer for the Braves, Farrell has been lights out. He is 2-0 with a 2.46 ERA, has recorded 2 saves, has 24 strikeouts in 18.1 innings pitched, and has an outstanding .980 WHIP.
     Farrell’s arsenal includes a fastball that sits anywhere between 88-92,  a curveball between 79-83, an 81-84 mph slider, and a devastating 82-86 mph change-up with vicious arm-side tail. As for mechanics, John uses a quick leg kick because he is a reliever. This adjusted slide step would look like it would steal some of his power. This is not true because John has an outstanding back-leg drive (side view slow motion). His upper body stays strong through his delivery; he creates as much angle as a 6’2” pitcher with a low 3/4 delivery is going to create. That low 3/4 delivery does take away some of his downward angle, but it does not take away from his arm side tail. His fastball has good movement. His curveball and slider compliment both his fastball and his change-up. Farrell’s out pitch is a very strong change-up that breaks sharply like a 2-seam fastball, but comes in 6-10 mph slower (slow motion front view). In fact, his arm speed and motion is so similar to his fastball that his own father had trouble distinguishing his change from his heater! John will continue to operate in his closer/set-up role for the Braves, and with his arsenal will continue to find success.