Scherzer's Slider

In the middle of May 2010, Max Scherzer (DET) discovered a flaw in his delivery while watching video.  Before he could tell the Tigers staff, he was demoted to the minor leagues, where he fixed the flaw. When Max returned two week later he started amassing high strikeout totals.  What's changed the most for Scherzer since his return is the slider.

Max Scherzer's slider, location and movement, 2008-May 14, 2010.Note that the location of his slider (on the left) is mostly in the strike zone.  It's a hittable pitch.  Since returning from the minor league assignment, he gets the slider down more.

Max Scherzer's slider, location and movement, since May 30, 2010.Scherzer now throws the pitch out of the strike zone frequently.  You'll notice on the movement, the vertical component often goes lower than the previously.  The result is a very good .282 wOBA on the pitch before the he fixed flaw dropped to an excellent .207.  In addition  he now gets a 29.6% strikeout rate with the pitch as compared to 20.5% before.  Max's slider is now a great out pitch.