Author Topic: 2008 Following the Minor League Teams  (Read 147315 times)

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Offline blue911

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #350 on: June 03, 2008, 02:56:13 pm »
Hill's been reported as saying he hasn't felt this good all season, but yet had no feel for his pitches, no break, no sink.  But he felt good enough that he might start being able to throw bullpen sessions between starts, the lack of which has prevented him from working on his breaking pitches in situations where he doesn't need outs.

So while he got hit hard his last start, he may be just now working past his pain issues and be on the road to recovery.  It would sure be a boost to the staff if he could get back to form.

I forgot that he hasn't been throwing sides. Still he appears reluctant to throw his breaking balls, which may be because his elbow hurts like hell.

Offline tomterp

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #351 on: June 03, 2008, 02:58:10 pm »
Absolutely but we need to see actual results and not the same talk we have become accustomed to hearing from guys in this organization.

I understand and agree that it's performance we want, need, and expect.  But regardless, I appreciate Hill's candor in describing his symptoms, and in communicating what he's doing in a straightforward and low key manner.  I don't get a sense that he's sugar coating anything.  When he gets hit hard, he says "I sucked".  When he's in pain, he says so.  If anything, sometimes he pitches really well, but still finds flaws or things to improve upon next outing. 

There's no comparison here to Patterson, who was always just one more start away from turning the corner.

Reporters ask these guys questions, and I believe they have an obligation to answer truthfully most of the time, the exceptions being in cases where they are being prompted perhaps to stab a teammate in the back, in which case they should demurr. 

Offline tomterp

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #352 on: June 03, 2008, 03:00:40 pm »
I forgot that he hasn't been throwing sides. Still he appears reluctant to throw his breaking balls, which may be because his elbow hurts like hell.

What I gather from reading the tea leaves (ie Ladson's reports, Chico's, etc.) is that he is simply unable to practice his curve ball without the side sessions, and thus has no confidence or even the ability to throw it in game situations.  Hitters are just sitting on the fastball.  Does it hurt more?  It would make sense that it would, but I'm in no position to know.

Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #353 on: June 03, 2008, 03:05:09 pm »
Hill's been reported as saying he hasn't felt this good all season, but yet had no feel for his pitches, no break, no sink.  But he felt good enough that he might start being able to throw bullpen sessions between starts, the lack of which has prevented him from working on his breaking pitches in situations where he doesn't need outs.

So while he got hit hard his last start, he may be just now working past his pain issues and be on the road to recovery.  It would sure be a boost to the staff if he could get back to form.

We have heard all of this for the past three years and the material is getting stall. So if he gets hard and can't "find himself" the next outing, then that next outing will be the one where he may just now be working past his pain issues. Give me a break. He is done.

Offline tomterp

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #354 on: June 03, 2008, 03:32:56 pm »
Give me a break. He is done.

You said the same thing about Bergmann too, remember?  He of the 1.30 May ERA.

Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #355 on: June 03, 2008, 03:35:48 pm »
You said the same thing about Bergmann too, remember?  He of the 1.35 May ERA.

And gave up four solo homeruns in his last start and has one of the highest ERAs on the team. "He may be just now just breaking back down and be on the road back to Columbus." :lol:

Offline tomterp

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #356 on: June 03, 2008, 03:40:14 pm »
And gave up four solo homeruns in his last start and has one of the highest ERAs on the team.

Oh, well, that clinches it.  We should just send him back, cause 4 runs in 4 starts is just too many.    :bang:

Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #357 on: June 03, 2008, 03:45:36 pm »
Oh, well, that clinches it.  We should just send him back, cause 4 runs in 4 starts is just too many.    :bang:

We've seen it all before Tom. Pitches great a couple games out of the gate and then starts a decline.

This thread isn't about Bergmann anyways. Bergmann doesn't make Hill's arm any better.

Offline blue911

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #358 on: June 03, 2008, 04:48:41 pm »
What I gather from reading the tea leaves (ie Ladson's reports, Chico's, etc.) is that he is simply unable to practice his curve ball without the side sessions, and thus has no confidence or even the ability to throw it in game situations.  Hitters are just sitting on the fastball.  Does it hurt more?  It would make sense that it would, but I'm in no position to know.

I've got no clue. I know they experts say that kids shouldn't throw a curve/slider because of the damage it could cause. But all I know about a curve is that I couldn't hit one.

Online sportsfan882

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #359 on: June 03, 2008, 08:57:09 pm »
More babying of starters in our organization. Balester had only thrown 71 pitches (50 strikes) yet was taken out after 5 1/3 innings tonight. His final line: 5.1 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 0 BB 6 K 1 HR

Offline tomterp

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #360 on: June 04, 2008, 09:08:08 am »
More babying of starters in our organization. Balester had only thrown 71 pitches (50 strikes) yet was taken out after 5 1/3 innings tonight. His final line: 5.1 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 0 BB 6 K 1 HR

I continue to think there are reasons beyond fear of injury.  Innings are precious, maybe get some for the relievers.  Maybe just trying to hold the mileage down before they hit MLB.  I guess this could be interpreted as babying, but protecting their investment might be another view.

Offline blue911

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #361 on: June 04, 2008, 09:29:00 am »
Didn't the Yankees have to limit Chamberlain last year because he had "too many innings". Maybe the Nats want to make sure that doesn't happen with Balester,Clippard or Mock.

Offline tomterp

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #362 on: June 04, 2008, 09:36:35 am »
Didn't the Yankees have to limit Chamberlain last year because he had "too many innings". Maybe the Nats want to make sure that doesn't happen with Balester,Clippard or Mock.

That's another good thought.  There is a rule of thumb adhered to by many clubs that pitchers should not go more than 30% more innings than the previous season.  Lannan ran into this limit last year, and was shelved.  Holding down innings in the minors might be with the intent of being able to pitch for the Nats longer into September, should the opportunity arise.

Offline tomterp

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #363 on: June 04, 2008, 10:07:11 am »
More babying of starters in our organization. Balester had only thrown 71 pitches (50 strikes) yet was taken out after 5 1/3 innings tonight. His final line: 5.1 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 0 BB 6 K 1 HR

Per Spin Man on the MLB board:

Quote
Balester bruised his hand after trying to field a grounder in the 6th inning.
He couldn't continue. They hope it is only a bruise.

Offline blue911

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #364 on: June 04, 2008, 12:07:09 pm »
That's another good thought.  There is a rule of thumb adhered to by many clubs that pitchers should not go more than 30% more innings than the previous season.  Lannan ran into this limit last year, and was shelved.  Holding down innings in the minors might be with the intent of being able to pitch for the Nats longer into September, should the opportunity arise.

I know that people think that some of JP's problems were caused by jumping his innings too quickly.

Offline spidernat

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #365 on: June 04, 2008, 12:18:03 pm »
I know that people thunder thinks that some of JP's problems were caused by jumping his innings too quickly.

He was 30 years old and he debut back in '02 :?  His body just isn't cut out for the demands on a long MLB season. This happens to a lot of players.


Offline hammondsnats

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #366 on: June 04, 2008, 04:13:12 pm »
call up balester to make the start this weekend.

Offline ronnynat

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #367 on: June 05, 2008, 01:54:57 pm »
http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/chatter/2008/Jun/05/weekly-minor-league-report/

Quote
RHP Adrian Alaniz is 16-2 with a 2.40 ERA in 24 games (19 starts) as a professional since being drafted in the 8th round of the 2007 First Year Player Draft...in 2008, he is 8-0 with a 2.43 ERA and a .208 BAA in 11 starts...his 8 wins are tied for tops in the Single-A Carolina League and are tied for 3rd most in minor league baseball...Alaniz, who was a New York-Penn League midseason All-Star in 2007 with Single-A Vermont, has earned the win in each of his last 6 starts, striking out 32 in 33.1 innings...the University of Texas product ranks among Carolina League leaders in ERA (4th) and strikeouts (t-5th, 54)...he is scheduled to make his next start Saturday at Frederick (Orioles).


What a BEAST!

Offline spidernat

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #368 on: June 05, 2008, 01:56:50 pm »
I'm optimistic about that kid.

Online sportsfan882

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #369 on: June 06, 2008, 10:43:20 pm »
Smoker gets lit up again in his second start in Hagerstown: 3 IP 8 H 7 R 7 ER 3 BB 3 SO 0 HR (0-2, 16.50 ERA)

(2 starts): 6 IP 14 H 11 R 11 ER 0 HR 4 BB 8 K

Offline ronnynat

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #370 on: June 06, 2008, 10:46:16 pm »
Smoker gets lit up again in his second start in Hagerstown: 3 IP 8 H 7 R 7 ER 3 BB 3 SO 0 HR (0-2, 16.50 ERA)

(2 starts): 6 IP 14 H 11 R 11 ER 0 HR 4 BB 8 K

Yeah, that sucks. Luckily the kid is only 19, so he has plenty of time to work out the kinks.

MrMadison

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #371 on: June 06, 2008, 10:51:29 pm »
Smoker gets lit up again in his second start in Hagerstown: 3 IP 8 H 7 R 7 ER 3 BB 3 SO 0 HR (0-2, 16.50 ERA)

(2 starts): 6 IP 14 H 11 R 11 ER 0 HR 4 BB 8 K

ouch...........

Online sportsfan882

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #372 on: June 07, 2008, 02:09:30 pm »
Levale Speigner has been promoted to AAA after fairing quite well as a reliever in Harrisburg.

Numbers in AA ('08): 14.2 IP 8 H 1 R 1 ER 0 HR 5 BB 4 SO (0.61 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, .160 AVG against)

Offline KnorrForYourMoney

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #373 on: June 07, 2008, 02:40:26 pm »
It'd be hilarious if both Casto and Speigner become serious contributors to our ML club after what happened last year.

I don't know whether to see that as a good or bad thing.

Offline spidernat

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Re: Following the Minor League teams (2008)
« Reply #374 on: June 07, 2008, 02:45:21 pm »
I can't see it as a negative at all. Speigner just wasn't ready last year and I wouldn't be surprised if he wound up contributing at some point.