Cardinals analyst Brad Thompson

·14 min·1 clip

Cardinals analyst Brad Thompson explains why Dustin May is getting hit hard despite no signs of tipping.

The episode features an interview with Brad Thompson, the Cardinals analyst for Cardinals TV, who appears weekly on 101 ESPN. Hosts BK and Alex Ferrario open by noting the Cardinals are two weeks into the season with an off day. Thompson first addresses the team's overall start, emphasizing that their spring training talk about energy and competitiveness has translated into action, with even losses being competitive. The discussion shifts to pitcher Dustin May, whose early struggles Thompson attributes to execution and missed location over the plate, not tipping pitches, despite the team's video review. Thompson notes May's velocity is up but his breaking pitches have been inconsistent, suggesting he should be evaluated like a younger pitcher given his limited innings history. The hosts ask about May's pitch usage change from sinker to four-seam fastball; Thompson explains the league-wide trend for swing-and-miss at the top of the zone but advocates letting May throw what feels comfortable. When asked about pitchers outperforming expectations, Thompson mentions being impressed with the bullpen's back end, specifically Jojo and Riley O'Brien, but no one stands out head and shoulders. The conversation turns to Jordan Walker's surprising offensive start, with Thompson noting Walker is now laying off low-away sliders and doing damage on outer-half pitches. Thompson predicts pitchers will start challenging Walker inside, which could open up opportunities for him. He connects Walker's breakthrough to a story about Torii Hunter's early career struggles and eventual self-directed success. The episode concludes with well-wishes for the upcoming series against the Boston Red Sox.

As heard by us

Brad Thompson frames the Cardinals' pitching questions around confidence, pitch usage, and the results that matter.

Brad Thompson gives the Cardinals' early pitching talk a clear shape, tying pitch choice to confidence, presence, and the kind of contact a pitcher wants.

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Why you'd press play

You want to know whether the Cardinals should lean back into a sinker, keep chasing swing-and-miss up with the four-seamer, or just live with whatever gets outs.

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