Tim Lincecum performed on Friday in his long-awaited showcase for MLB teams interested in signing him.
Around 20 teams plus reporters attended the showcase to watch the former longtime San Francisco Giants pitcher throw. According to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez, Lincecum threw in two sets. He reportedly maintained a velocity of around 90-91 mph in his first set of 20 pitches.
Tim Lincecum maintaining 90-91 mph velocity and showing a good change in second set of pitches. pic.twitter.com/zxTXY9rFB4
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) May 6, 2016
Lincecum then threw another set of pitches after a five-minute break and was around 89-90 mostly, per Sanchez. Sanche reports that Lincecum topped out at 92 mph.
Given Lincecum’s drop in velocity on his second set of pitches, it might make sense for him to pitch in relief.
The good sign from this showcase is that Lincecum’s average velocity appears to be up from last year, when he averaged 87.2 mph on his fastball, per Fangraphs. Unfortunately, he still does not seem to be at his average of around 92 or more, which was what he threw mostly when he posted his best seasons from 2008-2011.
Lincecum went 7-4 with a 4.13 ERA in 76.1 innings last season. Clearly many teams had interest in him as evidenced by the strong attendance at the showcase, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him signed soon. And at least this time teams could watch him without being thrown out.
