Noah Syndergaard Is Ready To Be Thor Again

Noah Syndergaard Is Ready To Be Thor Again

by Tim Reilly February 26, 2019

Noah Syndergaard came out firing in his Spring Training debut, striking out a pair in two scoreless innings while hitting 99 on the radar gun. After the game, Noah made note of an old approach he’s looking to bring back this season.

"Yeah, I fell in love with the two-seamer last year," Syndergaard told reporters Monday, "just because it's an artsy pitch. It's cool when you harness it, but sometimes if you've got a little tweak in your mechanics the two-seamer might move way too early and so it just ends up drifting to the middle of the plate."

"So, yeah, I just want to establish myself with the four-seamer. It was encouraging to see some swings and misses against my four-seamer today."

If you’re wondering what exactly Noah is referencing, this is what it looked like when he lost control of his two-seamer last season.

Yeah, that looks like a wiffleball coming in. The thing about throwing a wiffleball is that you only have a broad idea of where the ball is going to end up, but damn is it fun when you throw it just right. I can't blame the guy for trying all year to master it. 

Now I’m ready for Thor to return. That’s the last time I ever want to hear Syndergarrd use the word “artsy” when referring to his arsenal. I’m ready for “meet me 60 ft, six inches” Syndergaard to take his mound back.

I’m not saying I need Syndergaard throwing every pitch at 110% with his sights set on striking out every single batter. I also don’t need him taking a finesse approach either. Power is his strength and his power pitching style is what has brought him so much early-career success. If Syndergaard takes back the inner half of the plate with his four-seamer, the rest of his repertoire will take care of the rest. That's where his two-seamer would excel as a secondary option. 

It’s as simple as that in my eyes for a successful 2019 campaign.

About 2019, Syndergaard likes this squad. 

"The thought of approaching this 2019 season as a whole, it gives me goosebumps," Syndergarrd would later add. "It gets me excited, brings me back to that feeling we had in 2015. It's tough to describe with words, but there's a lot of excitement. A lot of guys are holding each other accountable, pulling for one another, trying to make each of us the best baseball players we can be."

And with that, I’ve got goosebumps thinking about Noah’s performance throughout the 2015 playoffs and what returning to that mentality with a more mature Syndergaard could mean this season.




Tim Reilly
Tim Reilly

Author




Also in The 7 Line Blog

T7LRC PITTSBURGH FUN RUN
T7LRC PITTSBURGH FUN RUN

by The 7 Line June 07, 2025

Join us for a fun run (or walk) 5K the morning of The 7 Line Army outing in Pittsburgh. If you’re not feeling the whole route, just cut it short and head back to the ballpark. All paces, and distances welcome.

Read More

June 14th Tailgate With The 7 Line Army
June 14th Tailgate With The 7 Line Army

by The 7 Line June 05, 2025

Kick off your weekend at our tailgate on Saturday June 14th! You don't need to be sitting with The 7 Line Army to tailgate together. Let's get the good vibes started in the parking lot and hopefully they continue until last pitch. Food, drinks, games, music and more in the Marina Lot. 

Read More

PRE-GAME WITH US IN PITTSBURGH ON JUNE 28TH!
PRE-GAME WITH US IN PITTSBURGH ON JUNE 28TH!

by The 7 Line June 02, 2025

Our 3rd trip to PNC Park with The 7 Line Army is set for Saturday June 28th. We're rolling with over 1,400 fans, and we'd love to see as many of your amazin' faces at the pre-game as possible. 

Read More

1