Brewers in first

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Originally Posted by Reade

As a pitcher or college receiver?

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Well, can't speak for RedSoxRockies, but considering the "Rockies" part, I'd bet this was a comment (perhaps wishfull thinking) about the pitching part. But, again can't speak for RedSoxRockies.

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Originally Posted by Reade

Minor league stats don't mean everything when it comes to development of players. There's been ton of players who put up great minor league numbers who never make it in the pros and there are guys who played terrible in the minors but blossomed in the pros

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Yep, lots of cases. And I've been wrong way more than I've been right, but man this kid is impressive. This is another area where stats don't tell it all. For example, big league debut, he has a blown save.

Looking at the "stats", just another overblown hype. But I watched that game, and this one. Here is a kid who made his major league debut, MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT NOW (for those who don't believe in "clutch" please read no further), which is stressful enuogh, but he makes his in late July, in the middle of the pennant race, in a 2-1 game, in Wrigley Field. Yep, he gave up the tying run, but it was on a 2-strike pitch with his third best pitch. It was a breaking ball (curve/slider???) to a left-hand hitter with 2-strikes. It wasn't that bad of a pitch, it broke down and in (right where a lefy likes it), and it was smashed over the fence. Something I'm bettting he got away with in the minors. This is one of those "learning" experiences vets talk about. (Note to self: this is the big leagues, re-think going for strike three with your third best pitch).

Then, in his SECOND MLB appearance, he throws a two inning save, when the Cubs are right in the middle of the pennant race and have seen there lead slip away. And, oh, BTW, I don't think he faced a 3 ball situation in those two innings (could be wrong, I was running between kitchen and dining room cooking Sunday meal).

Nope, I've seen lots of kids with great arms and great stuff. They're a dime a dozen in the minor leagues. This kid has the stuff (and I'm telling you, its for real) AND he's got the guts. If I had to bet on a rookie (and all rookies are really long shots), I'd bet on this one. I just really believe he's got it.

The only question I have after watching him in two appearances (one in which he did sort of fail), is how is going to react to failure. Baseball is a game of failure and adjustments, so how is going to react when he gets shelled in two or three straight outings. Thats the test.

Most young pitchers suddenly develop "shell shock" where they don't throw strikes, which leads to more shell shock. They no longer trust their "stuff" and try for the perfect pitch. This kid, I dunno, I really think he's got the mental stuff to match the physical. It is too early to tell, but man I like this kid.

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If I had to bet on a rookie (and all rookies are really long shots), I'd bet on this one. I just really believe he's got it.

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I totally agree with you. That 96-97 mph fastball sure did move alot and with that 84-85 mph splitter sure makes him look good in that bullpen, if they keep him up after Wood comes back. With Wood, Marmol, Howry, Samardzija makes the 7 inning and after look pretty dismal for the opposition.

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Originally Posted by Reade

I totally agree with you. That 96-97 mph fastball sure did move alot...

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Yep, and not only moved, but moved left to right "naturally." AKA Greg Maddux and the way his fastball moved "back over the plate" when he started it inside against the lefties. That natural movement, with that nasty splitter (once he makes it consistent, to me THAT'S ONE LAST BIG HURDLE), that's all you need for a closer. Just ask Gagne. For those who don't remember Gagne a few years ago, to me there for a year and a half that guy was as nasty as I've seen. And, I've seen Koufax, Ryan, Seaver, Carlton....... There for awhile, Gagne was THE MAN. In no way am I saying this kid is the next MAN, but I am saying he does have that potential. Man, I wish the Nationals had this kind of arm/kid in the waiting.

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Originally Posted by Reade

Minor league stats don't mean everything when it comes to development of players. There's been ton of players who put up great minor league numbers who never make it in the pros and there are guys who played terrible in the minors but blossomed in the pros

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I know, but they do need to be considered. Of course, there's some players with underwhelming minor league numbers that suddenly put it together and then get called to the majors (see Miguel Cabrera, .781 OPS in 1428 minor league at bats, than broke out for a 1038 OPS in his first year of AA, got called up, and the rest, as they say, is history), but if I had to guess, I'd say that happens more with position players than it does pitchers. Sure, it can happen with pitchers too, I'm not saying that, but his minor league performance record can't be discounted while discussing his future in the big leagues.

Note also that his college stats weren't anything special, either - 6.7 K/9, 3.15 BB/9, 3.82 ERA. In the minors, he struck out 5.24 batters per 9 and walked 3.60 per 9, and had a 4.26 ERA. Now, he got off to a great start once he got called up to AAA. That's only 37.1 innings though - 9.64 K/9 and 3.86 BB/9. He was doing pretty poorly at AA before the call up though, walking 42 batters to 44 strikeouts. Pitchers with such underwhelming minor league stats aren't good bets to succeed in the majors.

I'm NOT saying that he won't become a very good pitcher. Scouts do give good reports on him, and as I said with his stats, that can't be discounted. Both the scouting reports and his track record need to be considered. I think he'll become at least a solid middle reliever, but he'll need to rack up more strikeouts and limit the walks if he's going to become a major league starter or closer.

Stupid Cubs :angry:

Retarted Red Sox