Seems to me that a thumb is much more important than a pinky when throwing.
"Trippster" wrote:
That was kind of my first thought too, but I remember playing with my thumb right next to my index finger being a goof on the field. I could still throw it accurately, but my 40yd pass became a 33-35yard pass. It essentially required more arm strength.
When my dad and coaches were instructing on how to throw a football... the pinky (and other fingers) was mentioned quite often and where its placed. Some QB's keep it close to the ring finger and some (including me) spread it deep.
So I think if he's one of those who spreads his pinky finger deep, it'd be a problem more so than a thumb. But if he keeps it close to his ring finger, I'd have to side with the thumb being more damaging than pinky.
In reality, it all depends on how he grips the ball and how he releases the ball. It's not as simple as a thumb or pinky being more important.