Nationals @ Braves, Game 2

[JCA-CrystalCity]

So, what is the line on Crowe getting through 5 with a lead?

and we have the answer almost before the line went up

[Elvir Ovcina]

and we have the answer almost before the line went up

Meanwhile, Dane Dunning is pitching for the White Sox.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

So Crowe was another guy who threw mid 90s but is now a soft tossing nibbler.

I like Menhart as a coach, but our pitching development is pathetic.  And I haven't finished my 2d beer

[Dave in Fairfax]

From balks to wild pitches to hitting the base with a line drive, I like it when the bad breaks go our way.

And GIDPs

[Elvir Ovcina]

I like Menhart as a coach, but our pitching development is pathetic.  And I haven't finished my 2d beer

What strikes me is that our pitching development is non-existent.  In normal times, I go to a lot of A-ball games and then don't see these guys much or at all until they're in MLB.

But the pitchers look like freaking same as they did in the Carolina League.  Same strengths, same weaknesses.  No improved command, no smoother or more repeatable deliveries, no improved secondaries, no additional pitches.  That's the complete opposite of what you see with other teams. 

Just one example because he's pitching tonight for the Dodgers - I saw Dustin May in high-A two summers ago.  Even though it's barely been two years, in that time he's added an effective cutter, more command on his curveball, and he's added velo across the board.   And he was already one of the most advanced pitchers I've ever seen in high-A.

[Natsinpwc]

What strikes me is that our pitching development is non-existent.  In normal times, I go to a lot of A-ball games and then don't see these guys much or at all until they're in MLB.

But the pitchers look like freaking same as they did in the Carolina League.  Same strengths, same weaknesses.  No improved command, no smoother or more repeatable deliveries, no improved secondaries, no additional pitches.  That's the complete opposite of what you see with other teams.

Not quite. They all seem to throw 2-3 MPH slower when they reach the bigs.

[hohoho]

What strikes me is that our pitching development is non-existent.  In normal times, I go to a lot of A-ball games and then don't see these guys much or at all until they're in MLB.

But the pitchers look like freaking same as they did in the Carolina League.  Same strengths, same weaknesses.  No improved command, no smoother or more repeatable deliveries, no improved secondaries, no additional pitches.  That's the complete opposite of what you see with other teams.

So why do like him as a coach?
Oops directed to wrong poster.

[Elvir Ovcina]

So why do like him as a coach?

I don't, especially.  That was JCA who said that.

[hohoho]

I don't, especially.  That was JCA who said that.

Yep tried to correct it not in time.

[Elvir Ovcina]

Yep tried to correct it not in time.

No worries.  It's Friday night, and even jerks like me relax then.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I don't, especially.  That was JCA who said that.

mostly, he seemed to be a lot better than the guy who started last year  who stunk. Menhart seemed to communicate well

[DCFan]

How many people are googling Herman Munster and baseball right now?

[hohoho]

Finnegan may never winnagain.

[Bookman]

Finnegan may never winnagain.

Whole pitching staff seem to not know where their catcher is located

[hohoho]

Uhoh.

[hohoho]

As I expected.

[Elvir Ovcina]

That's amazing.  A grand slam in a four-run game. And it was even Freeman.

[DCFan]

Why were they dicking around with Swanson when Freddie Krueger was on deck?

[hohoho]

Why were they dicking around with Swanson when Freddie Krueger was on deck?

You mean Herman Munster.

[Elvir Ovcina]

Apparently that's Freeman's first career grand slam.

[Bookman]

FP has stated many times the Freeman likes the ball low in the zone, soooo where does Rainey pitch him?

[GataNats]

Crowe was never a hard thrower.   Waste of a draft pick.   

[tomwvr]

How the hell did this team that is not much different then last season win a World Series?  I almost wish they would lose out the rest of the games for a special losing season

[NatNasty]

Poof.  dave should have just let Crowe stay in until he gave up 7 runs.

[Elvir Ovcina]

Crowe was never a hard thrower.   Waste of a draft pick.

He was pretty consistently 91-92 in the low minors, with movement.  That's enough if you have secondary pitches to go with it.   The problem is development, not the talent level of the guys coming in.