The story of John Lannan

[Harden#40]

Hi guys, I've read these forums for ages but only just decided to sign up!

Basically I wanted to do a dynasty but didn't really have time to do a full team one so I thought I would focus on a particular player. I decided it would be interesting to follow a player on the worst team in MLB, the Washington Nationals.

I decided to choose young lefty starter John Lannan.



John E. Lannan (born September 27, 1984 in Long Beach, New York) is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals.

Following his time as captain of the Chaminade High School baseball team, Lannan was selected by the Washington Nationals out of Siena College in the 11th round (324th overall) of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft.

I don't want to bore you sensless too early, lol.

Next I will post stuff like previous stats, first start preview, spring training and so on.

Rules: Played on BM09. I will play all of Lannan's starts in PBP Player mode (when he is pitching & batting) and then General Manager mode the rest of the time. PBP is set to 'Coach' difficulty, I may review this depending on early results.

[Harden#40]

2007 Stats
Last year was Lannan's rookie year, however he posted very good stats.

He started 6 games, having a record of 2-2. His ERA was 4.15 over 34.2IP. He gave up 36 hits but just 3HR. He walked 17 and only struk out 10, something which he must improve upon in 2008. His opponents BAA was .269 and he finished with a DICE of 5.19.

This year John has said he will be aiming for at least 10 wins and to move up the Nationals' rotation, he is currently #4 starter.

Lannan's first start

Lannan's first start will come on April 5th when he heads to the mound to face Chris Volstad and the Marlins. Volstad is a 21-year old highly-tipped rookie who will make his first ever MLB start when the two teams meet at Dolphin Stadium.

[Harden#40]

Preview

April 5th, 2008 @ Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida. (0-3) @ (2-2).


John Lannan (0-0, 0.00ERA) @ Chris Volstad (0-0, 0.00ERA)

Both these young pitchers will be looking to make an impact as Lannan, throwing in just his 7th MLB game faces off against rookie Chris Volstad.

Game Notes
I started badly by giving up a double to Jeremy Hermida and then Dan Uggla homered off a two-seam fastball to make it 2-0 Marlins.
I then got it together and gave up just a double in the 2nd but again lost the control on my fastball and Josh Willingham homered to make it 3-0.
After that homer in the next 21 at bat's for the Marlins, I gave up just 2 singles and a double. I was then pulled after 7 innings.
I know I will get the loss but after the first few innings it could have ended up a lot worse and I hope that I can improve my secondary pitches ready for my next start @ the Rockies.

			IP 	H 	BB 	HR 	R 	ER 	K 	PIT 	ERA
John Lannan (L, 0-1)	7.0 	7 	3 	2 	3 	3 	7 	90     3.86

NOTE: I decided to do the in-game notes in sort of a blog style. What do you guys think, should I keep it like this or change it to a more 3rd-person style report?

[Harden#40]

Preview

April 9th, 2008 @ Coors Field, Denver, Colorado. (2-5) @ (5-3).


John Lannan (0-1, 3.86ERA) @ Mark Redman (0-1, 22.50ERA)

Lannan was unfortunate in his first start against the Marlins. He pitched well but gave up 2 homer's which in the end condemned him to the loss as the Marlins won 3-0. Redman had a tough outing against the Braves, he lasted just 2 innings, giving up 5 runs on 5 hits to give him an ugly looking ERA.

Game Notes
Another bad start from me, I sat down the first 2 batters in 2 pitches but then on a 3-2 count to Brad Hawpe I threw a fastball right down the middle and it went into the centre-field bleachers.
After giving away a very close walk in the 2nd (I'm sure it was a strike!) and even getting a ground ball I couldn't stop Ryan Spilborghs grounding out which let Chris Iannetta score.
This is like de-ja-vu, just like the Marlins game I managed to straighten out after the first few innings, the first real jam I came up against was bottom of the 6th where I walked the first 2 batters. I managed to get a ground ball double play and stranded the man at 3rd.
If i'm not going to get run support I may aswell do it myself! I led off the 8th and singled on a bloop to centre, Willie Harris bunted me over to second and I scored on a Cristian Guzman single to make it a 2-2 ballgame.
I left the game after I scored and was replaced by Saul Rivera who unfortunately gave up a run and we lose 3-2, I get the no decision. I thought my pitches were good and I have been very economical with my pitch counts.
Hopefully I can dominate the batters a bit more in my next start and start getting a few more K's....and run support!

	        IP   	H 	BB 	HR 	R 	ER 	K 	PIT 	ERA
John Lannan 	7.0 	6 	3 	1 	2 	2 	2 	63 	3.21

[hihot]

i kinda like the blog style its a little bit like what im doing in my Rickey Cobb Dynasty

[Rongar]

Hi Hard,

Interesting start... writing in the first person, is fine, I always like to get inside a character's head, when I'm reading.

What pitches does Lannan throw?...these can make a great difference in "Player" mode

[Harden#40]

He throws a four-seamer (71), two-seamer (69), change (71) and curve (67).

His four-seamer is usually low 90's, two-seamer high 80's. Change low 80's and curve mid-high 70's.

[Rongar]

Dunno how long you've done "Player" mode Hard, but you might like to share your thoughts on the "art" in this thread, created, especially, for we happy few "Player" players.

http://www.sportsmogul.com/vbulletin...d.php?t=185631

How come a Brum is so keen on baseball? Not much of it about, Over There, is there?

[Harden#40]

Update, April 11th, 2008: I have just had a call from Manager, Manny Acta and he let me know due to my impressive start I would be moved up to #3 starter in the rotation!

Preview

April 14th, 2008 @ Nationals Park, Washington D.C. (9-3) @ (3-8).

Brett Myers (2-0, 2.63ERA) @ John Lannan (0-1, 3.21ERA)

Lannan suffered the same way against the Rockies as he did the Marlins. Giving up the long ball, he did however straighten out and lasted 7 frames, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits. Myers has pitched well so far picking up wins against the Nationals and Mets.

Game Notes
As I warmed up pre-match I felt a twinge in my left arm, I told pitching coach Randy St. Claire and he had me looked over quickly by the Head Trainer Lee Kuntz (unfortunate name) who told me I had strained my foreram muscle and would have to sit today out. I was gutted. Justin Bergmann took my place but hopefully I'll be fit for my next start.

[Harden#40]

Nope, baseball is extremely limited over here. Baseball used to be on UK TV twice a week and I was extremely bored one night and couldn't sleep so I switched the TV on and a baseball game was on. Before this I had the stereotypical British view that it was just glorified rounders.

It was the Cubs v. Brewers and the Cubs won it, I watched the whole game and was amazed by the sport. This was a few years ago and I've followed baseball, and the Cubs ever since!

[Harden#40]

Update, April 16th, 2008: I threw a bullpen session with pitching coach Randy St. Claire and felt good, it's confirmed that I will start against the Mets in 2 days time.

Preview

April 18th, 2008 @ Nationals Park, Washington D.C. (7-8) @ (4-10).

Pedro Martinez (0-1 7.71ERA) @ John Lannan (0-1, 3.21ERA)

Both pitchers come into this game win-less. It is the Nationals' John Lannan however that looks the more likely to end that stat. He missed his last proposed start against the Phillies with a strained left forearm. Pedro who is in his 17th season struggled in his opener against the Phillies in which he lasted just 4.2 innings, giving up 4 runs, he will try to use his experience today against the Nationals weak lineup.

Game Notes
What is it with early innings? Leadoff man Jose Reyes reaches base after an error by Dmitri Young who couldn't hold onto my throw. Beltran later grounded out to drive in the run as Reyes had stolen 2nd and 3rd.
Bottom of the 2nd and another error leads to an unearned run. Carlos Delgado who I had walked to leadoff was sent home after and error on a routine throw by Cristian Guzman who had earlier homered in the top of the inning.
Another bit of hitting from me, well I say hitting, a sacrifice bunt that scores Lastings Milledge. My counterpart Pedro Martinez left the game after just 2 innings after giving up 5 runs.
I do like helping my own cause! I led off the 4th with a single to centre, unfortunately my team mates (yeah the hitters!) couldn't drive me in.
The next hit I gave up was top of the 6th, Beltran led-off and homered off my first pitch two-seamer that was down and away. Still have 2 runs to work with.
It was 5-3 and bottom of the 6th when I was replaced by pinch-hitter Nick Johnson, I was a bit disappointed as I thought I could have gone a couple of more innings but it's early in the season and important to stay healthy.
I got the no-decision as reliver Ray King lost the lead temporarily in the 7th.

	        IP 	H 	BB 	HR 	R 	ER 	K 	PIT 	ERA
John Lannan 	6.0 	2 	2 	1 	3 	1 	2 	54 	2.70

[RedsoxRockies]

Nice job so far!

[Harden#40]

Preview

April 23rd, 2008 @ Nationals Park, Washington D.C. (10-10) @ (6-13).

Tim Hudson (0-1 1.35ERA) @ John Lannan (0-1, 2.70ERA)

Lannan is still yet to record a win in 2008 but had a strong outing last time out against the Mets, he gave up 3 runs, just 1 earned over 6 innings. He walked 2 and struck-out 2. Hudson has been impressive so far in his 3 starts. Against Philadelphia he threw 107 pitches over 7 innings surrendering 2 runs on 7 hits.

Game Notes
This really must be a curse! Still having trouble early in games. I managed to get 2 quick outs but then ran into trouble. Brian McCann singled on a 3-2 pitch and then I walked Chipper Jones. Casey Kotchman then doubled for 2RBI.
It just seems as if this is some sort of script, after the 1st I settle down and throw 4 frames without too much hassle, my pitch count is slightly higher today as the Braves hitters are being very patient at the plate.
I was pitching like I knew I could, dominating world-class hitters such as Chipper Jones and Brian McCann. Bottom of the 7th and with the game tied at 2-2 Ronnie Belliard hit a lead-off single, I was then taken out of the game as Nick Johnson came in to pinch-hit.
It was a big inning as we made it 5-2 thanks to a Ryan Zimmermann 2-run single. Chad Cordero then closed out the 9th for his 6th save and my first win of 2008!

	                IP   	H 	BB 	HR 	R 	ER 	K 	PIT 	ERA
John Lannan (W, 1-1)	7.0 	7 	1 	0 	2 	2 	6 	94 	2.67

[Harden#40]

Update, April 25th, 2008: I had a chat with pitching coach Randy St. Claire and discussed my early game starts. We watched over a DVD of my 4 starts so far. We focused on the first 3 innings in each start and compared them to later innings where I have had most of my success.
One of the things that was pretty obvious was that I was trying too hard to get hitters out early on and this led to pitches being down the middle of the plate, particularly my fastball. I will try and work on this for my next start in Cincinnati.

Update, April 26th, 2008: Whilst watching my teammates lose to the Reds 6-5 I bizzarely pick up an injury. At the end of the 4th inning, I jogged towards the back as I went to get a drink, ironically as I quickly glanced away towards to the field, I tripped over somebody's trainers (nobody has owned up yet!) and fell sideways on to a drinks cooler. Lets just say the cooler won. Luckily Head Trainer Lee Kuntz was nearby and checked me over. At first glance Lee thought I may have broken one of my ribs. An ambulance was called and I spent the evening in Cincinatti's finest hospital. Luckily an x-ray confirmed that it was just bruised ribs. I will definitely miss my next start which was scheduled for April 28th against the Reds in the series finale against Aaron Harang. I'm determined to be back for my next start after that.

[CCamels73]

I like the idea of following Lannan throughout his season/career. Good read so far, but if I may ask, could you let us into Lannans' head as far as upcoming matchups and batters he likes/dislike to face? Maybe even how he feels toward management/coaching staff depending upon how the Nats are doing. I do like it though, I will be reading.