Vulcan changeup
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Vulcan_changeup_grip.jpg/220px-Vulcan_changeup_grip.jpg)
In
The pitch is uncommon in Major League Baseball. Ian Kennedy throws this style of changeup instead of others because he "found it more comfortable and had more movement".[1] Among the others who have thrown it are John Gant,[2] former relievers Randy Tomlin[3] and Joe Nelson,[4][5] and most notably former all-star closer Éric Gagné, for whom the vulcan changeup was considered one of his best pitches.[6] Roy Oswalt adopted this pitch during the 2010 offseason and preferred it over the circle changeup.[7] Number 1 pick of the 2023 draft, Paul Skenes, throws a vulcan changeup.[8]
Nelson explained his choice for naming the pitch: "It was either going to be Nanu Nanu or the Vulcan. Spock just seemed like a cooler character than Mork."[9] The pitch has been nicknamed the "Trekkie", because of the Vulcan symbol, from the television show Star Trek, that appears in the grip of the ball.
References
- ^ Hughes, Phil (2 February 2008). "Ian's Answers ..." The Phil Hughes Weblog. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
- ^ "Keep an eye on Atlanta Braves pitcher John Gant". The Telegraph. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-06-18.
- ^ "Tomlin's change of pace keeping Pirates in step". The Pittsburgh Press. 7 August 1991.
He calls it a changeup. His teammates call it a Vulcan changeup. New York Mets hitters were calling it things that cannot be printed after he sent them cussing back to the dugout time after time last night.
- ^ "Vulcan grip changed RP Joe Nelson's career". Boston Herald. Herald Media. 20 February 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
The Vulcan, as it's known, is the grip Nelson uses for his changeup, and he jokes that it has kept him in professional baseball for 14 years.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Rays Tales: Star Trek fan Joe Nelson hopes to pitch long and prosper". St. Petersburg Times. 3 May 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-06-07. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
- ^ Law, Keith (12 September 2007). "Good fit for Gagne, Brewers". Scouts Inc., ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
- ^ "Phillies' Oswalt tells gripping story of learning to like the changeup". Philadelphia Daily News. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
- ^ "Paul Skenes has 5 (!) pitches -- and here's his take on all of them". MLB.com. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
- ^ "Joe Nelson". They Said It. Sports Illustrated, Time Inc. 2009-05-18. Retrieved 2010-04-26.