In the last video comparison of Akinori Iwamura's performance from last year to this one, we looked at some plays Aki made running and in the field. The majority of people, 75%, agreed with me that Aki's perfomance this year seems more related to weight gain over the winter than it did his knee injury.
The consensus to this point seems to be that the Pirates did their due diligence, but Aki showed up to camp out of shape. This also might suggest that if Aki gets into better shape, he might actually still be a decent player.
Here's another look, but at specifically one area - that of speed down the line to first. This study has also produced some very interesting results.
First, we'll see video of Aki with the Pirates, then with the Rays post injury, and then before the injury. The video is at 30 frames per second, so 10 frames is a third of a second. 3 frames slower would be a tenth of a second.
Poll
Do you think the difference between Aki's straight ahead running speed pre and post injury is a significant reason behind his poor play this year?
Yes. If he doesn't have the speed as before the injury. That's a major reason he stinks. (46 votes)
Yes. But that doesn't appear to be the main reason. (37 votes)
No. He's fast enough now, but his seeming extra bulk is making him less quick to the ball on defense. (26 votes)
No. He's fast enough now, but his knee could be bothering him in other ways. (6 votes)
115 total votes
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