Former Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Daniel Bard, one of the best in baseball from 2009-2011, is attempting a comeback with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Before transitioning to the starting rotation in 2012, Bard was the Red Sox’ primary set-up man in a bullpen anchored by Jonathan Papelbon. In 192 games pitched between 2009-2011, he posted a 154 ERA+ with a 2.88 ERA and 213 strikeouts in 193 innings pitched.
His move to the rotation was a failed experiment that derailed his once-promising career. He started the 2012 season 5-6 with a 5.24 ERA, including 34 strikeouts, 37 walks, and eight hit batters. He last appeared in the major leagues in 2013, joining the Red Sox for five days in August before getting designated for assignment and picked up by the Chicago Cubs. Since then, he’s bounced around the minor leagues, attempting to regain his control.
He hasn’t fared much better outside of the MLB. In 12 minor league appearances since 2014, he’s pitched just 3.2 innings with 21 walks, 12 hit batters, and just 2 strikeouts. His loss of control has culminated in 21 wild pitches since 2013.
Bard, now 31, will attempt another major league comeback this season. He’s under contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and has seemingly developed a new delivery. The former stud reliever has garnered some attention, tempered as it may be after Peter Gammons tweeted a video of him prepping for Spring Training.
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The former flamethrower used to possess a fastball that sat in the high-90s and was capable of touching 100 mph when he was at his best. Since his demise began in 2012, he averaged just 93.3 mph during his final two major league seasons.
In Gammons’ video, Bard features a new delivery that seems to work from what we can see. He used to come over the top with a traditional delivery that generated power from his lower half, as seen here. His new mechanics feature a side-arm delivery and a 96 mph fastball. He also mixed in an 86 mph changeup, a pitch that he rarely used during his successful stretch with the Red Sox, but could be of value as he attempts to work his way back to the bigs.
For someone that hasn’t thrown a pitch in the major leagues since 2013, Bard has garnered some attention with this video. He last pitched in high-A with the Cardinals, so any hope of him making it back to the MLB should be limited, but it’s worth watching nonetheless. He was one of the best relievers in the league over three seasons since moving to the rotation, so I for one am hoping that there’s a chance we see him in the MLB once again.
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There’s obviously no reason to expect that Bard is any better of a pitcher now than he has been over the last four years, but it’s worth being optimistic right? Here’s to hoping that he can correct the control issues that have plagued him since he last pitched in the majors.