Hey yo, Chico

[ronnynat]

He's also accomplished a feat no other pitcher this year has: stayed healthy and in the rotation for every start all year, and earning his keep along the way.  He's earned his spot solely based on that.

I know it means a lot to a team when you stay healthy, but really, isn't that the expectation at the same time? We'll see. I'll still give him a chance, but he's on a short leash.

[2k6nats]

I know it means a lot to a team when you stay healthy, but really, isn't that the expectation at the same time? We'll see. I'll still give him a chance, but he's on a short leash.

By that logic, every other starter has failed that expectation.

[ronnynat]

By that logic, every other starter has failed that expectation.

True, and that's horrible. It's hard to commend someone for NOT getting injured. Getting injured (most of the time) is just unlucky. My point is that Chico is just an OK pitcher on an OK team. He's a #5 on a bad team...not on a good one. He's not horrible, though.

[UMDNats]

He's a 24-year old rookie who should be in AA right now. To me he's been outstanding given the circumstances by being a workhorse and being pretty consistent. He gives us 6 innings a start now and he gives us a chance to win.

[spidernat]

He's a 24-year old rookie who should be in AA right now.

At some point we have to stop making this excuse for him. How long was he going to spend in AA?

[Evolution33]

At some point we have to stop making this excuse for him. How long was he going to spend in AA?

I don't think anyone is making excuses. He has had some bad starts and some good starts and some in-between starts. He has looked like a good back of the rotation guy, but he has a mental make-up that is very good to see in a young player. He is learning and improvement is noticeable between starts. If you look at his perfomance last night against the Marlins and how he responded to the bad strike zone that was special for him and not having comand of one pitch. If you look at that and how he responded to the last homer by strike out the remaining batters and finishing the sixth inning it is clear to see a maturity in him that means he possibly has a bright future. Chico is young and he is learning, but young players with his mental make-up don't stagnate like swamp water they grow and develop and get better.

[spidernat]

I don't think anyone is making excuses. He has had some bad starts and some good starts and some in-between starts. He has looked like a good back of the rotation guy, but he has a mental make-up that is very good to see in a young player. He is learning and improvement is noticeable between starts. If you look at his perfomance last night against the Marlins and how he responded to the bad strike zone that was special for him and not having comand of one pitch. If you look at that and how he responded to the last homer by strike out the remaining batters and finishing the sixth inning it is clear to see a maturity in him that means he possibly has a bright future. Chico is young and he is learning, but young players with his mental make-up don't stagnate like swamp water they grow and develop and get better.

I get that and I completely agree with your assessment on Chico. My only aim was to say that at some point we need to stop bringing up the 'he should be in AA' bit.

[UMDNats]

Not making excuses. Just saying, he was put in a situation most people don't get put into. He's responded real well; he's shown good composure and doesn't let the bad starts affect him on his next one. I think he's gonna be a solid spot starter for us down the line.

[2k6nats]

Not making excuses. Just saying, he was put in a situation most people don't get put into. He's responded real well; he's shown good composure and doesn't let the bad starts affect him on his next one. I think he's gonna be a solid spot starter for us down the line.

Down the line meaning next year?  If so, then I couldn't agree more.  But he's shown that there's a good chance he becomes a back-ender of our good rotation in the future, assuming "The Plan" works.

[hammondsnats]

whoa, whoa, whoa.  the guy had one non-effective start and some are saying he's not going to turn out to be a solid pitcher?!?!

Nobody is predicting him to be an ace.  He's still young so no one knows where he'll end up in the rotation in the long run.  Right now he's looking to turn into a solid #3/#4 pitcher.  But what I think we do know is that scouts/analysts/fans need to give up on saying he probably belongs @ AA level.  He belongs in the majors and he has proved it. 

He's made 19 starts.  In five of those he's given up 5 or more runs.  Other than those starts he's been like an ace for this team. 

In his last 10 outings, he has an ERA of 3.90.  He's given up 25 earned runs in the span of 57.2 IP, and in two of those outings he combined for 13 runs. 

He doesn't over power hitters, but he doesn't need too.  His control and location is what makes him dangerous.  I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I know he's like top 3 in a bunch of categories for rookie pitchers.  I do know that he leads the league in starts (for rookies).

Stop with the questioning and look at the results.  Matt Chico belongs here and will stay here.

[2k6nats]

Chico has become my favorite pitcher, and my favorite player along with Belly and Zimmerman.  He's earned my respect because he's outperformed every other starter on our team, and a lot of people seem to forget that.

[ronnynat]

Chico has become my favorite pitcher, and my favorite player along with Belly and Zimmerman.  He's earned my respect because he's outperformed every other starter on our team, and a lot of people seem to forget that.

You think he's "outperformed" Hill? Performance wise, no one pitched better than Hill on this team. Chico really hasn't even outperformed Bowie. He's not bad and he hasn't gotten injured... the latter is what should be praised compared to others on the staff, if any.

[Evolution33]

You think he's "outperformed" Hill? Performance wise, no one pitched better than Hill on this team. Chico really hasn't even outperformed Bowie. He's not bad and he hasn't gotten injured... the latter is what should be praised compared to others on the staff, if any.

Part of perfomance is the ability to actually play the game. Hill might be great when he is healthy, but when has he demonstrated any ability to stay that way? Durability is part of performance.

[spidernat]

Part of perfomance is the ability to actually play the game. Hill might be great when he is healthy, but when has he demonstrated any ability to stay that way? Durability is part of performance.

QFT

[2k6nats]

Part of perfomance is the ability to actually play the game. Hill might be great when he is healthy, but when has he demonstrated any ability to stay that way? Durability is part of performance.

And that's what I was referring to.  Now, if Chico absolutely sucked, we'd be singing a different tune.  But he's been a carbon copy of 2006 Livan Hernandez; staying healthy and having good (not great) starts.

[UMDNats]

You think he's "outperformed" Hill? Performance wise, no one pitched better than Hill on this team. Chico really hasn't even outperformed Bowie. He's not bad and he hasn't gotten injured... the latter is what should be praised compared to others on the staff, if any.

Come on.

[2k6nats]

Cortizone shot: $24

Leg brace: $132

Tommy John surgery: $1,725

Staying healthy: priceless

[hammondsnats]

hey 2k6, what's the going rate of a use in the hyperbaric chamber and tiny lasers up in canada?  8-)

[2k6nats]

hey 2k6, what's the going rate of a use in the hyperbaric chamber and tiny lasers up in canada?  8-)

Going rate of a use in the hyperbaric chamber and tiny lasers up in Canada: $6,792

The fact that JP is using a hyperbaric chamber and tiny lasers up in Canada: priceless