His breaking stuff is a little more advanced than his contemporaries. His change up as well.
I'm going to stop defending myself, as all I'm doing is agreeing with a professional scout's opinion, as well as my own eyes in a game where he gave up 9 runs in 2 innings.
He probably has the stuff to where, if he really improved his command and approach, he could be a #2, while if he just has average command it probably plays down to the #4/5 level. Fair?
But you're not just going to come up to the majors with a 55/55 FB/CH and an average CB and fringy command and be a #2 starter.
do multiple MLB average or slightly above average pitches make a guy an above average pitcher? Yes, if he has command. Cole lacked that last night, so he has more work to do.
I don't see him as a Clippard replacement candidate. Don't the great relievers who were former starters usually have one wipe out pitch and 1-2 other pitches they throw that can be effective playing off the wipe out pitch?
I think a lot of great relievers who were former starters are the ones who get big velocity boosts from working an inning at a time. It Cole was throwing 96 instead of 91-92, I feel like that whole arsenal looks different. But I also don't think all pitchers can boost their velocity like that in short stints.
