Freeman aims for Gold Glove and batting title, not HRs

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
10:25 am

Like I said, some consistency would be nice.

That would put him head-and-shoulders above every other fifth starter in the bigs. I don’t think such a thing is out of the question, but most guys pitch at the back end for a reason. And, for much the same reasons, teams expect a .500 record in those back-end starts. Anything over that is gravy.

Kat

February 28th, 2012
10:30 am

Lemke’s Knuckler @ 8:52 am ..

With social media anyone can be anyone and can say anything. Hell how many celebs “die” on Twitter everyday? (meaning fake rumors) I agree you gotta stick with the new sources you know are real. I was just entertained how quickly this one guy’s rumor got into my news feed last night by other Braves fans I follow.

Murph

February 28th, 2012
10:33 am

That would put him head-and-shoulders above every other fifth starter in the bigs.

Maybe… I wouldn’t say that a guy who goes out and consistently gives up 4 runs every 5 IP is going to be head and shoulders above anyone, though.

I guess one could argue that Minor is consistent right now… you don’t get a pattern of ER like he has without some consistency. 4, 1, 4, 1… Let’s hope the offense can improve on his already bloated 5 runs of support per game, ’cause then those games where he gives up 4 won’t matter as much.

Bat Masterson

February 28th, 2012
10:36 am

Bitching about Minor beats bitching about Morton or Jo Jo I guess.

DAP

February 28th, 2012
10:36 am

DOB He’s on 40-man roster, so yes, he’s in camp. Haven’t noticed the pinky; he walks through clubhouse quickly and I haven’t spoken with him yet.

golly he is fast. even in the club house hes just a blur…

raleighbravefan

February 28th, 2012
10:37 am

How many teams have a better 5th starter than Minor? MAYBE a small handfull, especially if he continues to improve as he did last year. May be as many teams that don’t have a 4th starter as good. The debate says more about our pitching wealth and potential, than about Minor.

Of course, if you believe Don, it’s all moot, because they will all end up on the DL.

raleighbravefan

February 28th, 2012
10:39 am

If the debate over who the 5th starter will be is our bigest problem…well, WS here we come.

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
10:39 am

I wouldn’t say that a guy who goes out and consistently gives up 4 runs every 5 IP is going to be head and shoulders above anyone, though

But Minor doesn’t do that, does he? At least, he hasn’t in the past. He’s had good outings and bad outings, kinda what you might expect from a guy with fewer than 30 MLB starts and less-than-ace stuff.

I’m only saying that it’s pretty hard to find any other fifth starter who gives you a minimum of 20 quality starts in a year, and thinking that Minor should do so is probably an unrealistic expectation.

raleighbravefan

February 28th, 2012
10:45 am

scoots@10:39 – Spot on, my friend. I think there is built-in bias against Minor by some who still resent that he was picked so high in the draft.

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
10:48 am

I will say this: once Hudson is back, the back end of the Braves’ rotation looks pretty stout, with Beachy at 4 and just about any of the available pulses at 5.

TennesseePaul

February 28th, 2012
10:48 am

I wouldn’t say that a guy who goes out and consistently gives up 4 runs every 5 IP is going to be head and shoulders above anyone, though.

5th starter. His results in his last 14 starts last year would put him “head and shoulders” above any other fifth starter. Not head and shoulders above anyone.

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
10:51 am

I think there is built-in bias against Minor by some who still resent that he was picked so high in the draft.

Hey, you can probably include me in that group, LOL. Still, if he improves his breaking ball to anywhere near the level of his changeup, and his fastball still gets up there in the low 90s, he has a chance to be a good bit more than a back-end guy.

TennesseePaul

February 28th, 2012
10:57 am

I think there is built-in bias against Minor by some who still resent that he was picked so high in the draft.

I find myself in the position this morning of defending the guy. But my bias against him is still there. And my bias against him is as fleet as Scoots’ disdain of the vertically challenged. I am no fan of “polished” pitchers aka, the high floor/low ceiling players. Between 2002 and 2008 it seemed the team was running out “polished” pitchers from the farm all the time with underwhelming to disastrous results. … The high draft pick is just salt in the wounds.

Ray

February 28th, 2012
11:04 am

I don’t know off top of my head, but what other players were available at the time Minor was picked? I would be curious of a couple of the players that were picked by the next lets say 5-6 teams.

raleighbravefan

February 28th, 2012
11:04 am

The draft is not the only way to acquire top talent. Non of the 3 amegos came from the amateur draft. We didn’t even have to pay Viz a signing bonus, courtesy of the Yankees.

Lew

February 28th, 2012
11:09 am

A lot of garbage being heaped upon a Kid who at age 23 has made ll of 23 starts in the bigs. We might want to give him a chance before we start comparing him to JoJo Reyes or Horacio Ramirez.

Lew

February 28th, 2012
11:12 am

Heaped upon a kid who had no say where he was drafted. You don’t like the pick for the Braves’s slot? Blame the Front Office and the scouts – not Minor.

Murph

February 28th, 2012
11:14 am

I think there is built-in bias against Minor by some who still resent that he was picked so high in the draft.

I don’t pay much attention to the draft, and could care less where a guy is drafted… given the performance of many undrafted players around the league I don’t put a whole lot of thought into draft order. I certainly don’t hold it against anyone.

My bias against Minor, if you could call it that, is that I don’t think he’s the team’s best option. I don’t look at Minor as the guy who gives them the best chance to win. After Hudson comes back, and if everyone is healthy, I can’t say that I’d be thrilled with Minor over Delgado or Teheran. Or even Vizcaino or Medlen.

Yes, Minor had some good games last season. He had a winning record. But I see him as a 5 ERA pitcher, and given the Braves’ recent history of offensive struggles, I don’t see a guy like that in the rotation when there are better options available.

I guess the one nice thing I can say about Minor is that I’d rather give him the ball than Lowe. So he has that going for him.

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
11:15 am

I don’t know off top of my head, but what other players were available at the time Minor was picked?

The one that always pops up in my mind is Mike Trout. That one kinda blinds me to all other possibilities.

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
11:17 am

After Hudson comes back, and if everyone is healthy, I can’t say that I’d be thrilled with Minor over Delgado or Teheran.

Maybe that’s where HIllbilly’s earlier point comes into play. Let Teheran make those four starts in April, and then see how the land lays.

TennesseePaul

February 28th, 2012
11:18 am

Blame the Front Office and the scouts…

I know Ef and I do. I would have thought that was clear.

TennesseePaul

February 28th, 2012
11:19 am

Maybe that’s where HIllbilly’s earlier point comes into play. Let Teheran make those four starts in April, and then see how the land lays.

Agreed. They must earn the spot. It’s a solid position for the Braves to be in. There are a lot of very good reasons for each pitcher to make it or not. The best way to sort it out is to let there performance do the talking.

Bravo_F 52

February 28th, 2012
11:23 am

I’m giving out large italisized a’s to all who are waiting’ with great ‘a… nticipation’ the begining of the games. And are like me, a dyed in the wool, Braves fan and yes I believe these guys can go all the way

Ray

February 28th, 2012
11:25 am

scoots on that I agree with you. Minor has had what 23 starts? Its not like his starts have produced awful numbers. What was Glavine’s numbers on his first 23 starts? I know his first 2 yrs he went 2-4 and 7-17. The Braves were one of the worst teams. I am sure if the blog would have been around at that time, we might be having the same or even worse talks about this lefty who doesn’t throw very hard.

raleighbravefan

February 28th, 2012
11:29 am

scoots – I’m usually with you, buddy, but it’s hard for me to jump too hard on the FO because they didn’t pick Trout. Several teams after the Braves passed on him too, but of course, we now have the benefit of hindsight. I’m not sure how many of those 49 1st rounders and comp picks will have a better career than Minor, but my guess is not many. I’m not sure what pitcher…especially LHP, we could have picked that would be better, and that was the priority that year.

Bat Masterson

February 28th, 2012
11:29 am

I wonder if the Braves recent success bring up theses kids has generated unrealistic expectations. Hanson, JJ, Kimbrell, Venters, Heyward, Freeman……..

Murph

February 28th, 2012
11:30 am

With Hudson on the shelf, who gets the ball on Opening Day? Hanson? Beachy? Teheran?

raleighbravefan

February 28th, 2012
11:31 am

Bat – Hard acts to follow, indeed.

Lew

February 28th, 2012
11:31 am

TenPaul – Like you say, you’ve been defending him this morning. There’s a lot of others besides you and Efrim that were unhappy with the pick, but many of them seem down on Minor and like I said – not his fault where he was picked. I guess many would be happier if he had been a third round selction. Seems to me he’s the same pitcher and he wears a Braves’ uniform. That’s all that should matter.

But – in reference to Murph and his claims of a 5+ ERA pitcher – like you pointed out – take away the ONE start at the beginning of last year and he went 10-4 with a 3.79 ERA. That’s hardly a 5+ERA pitcher. Consistencey? Yeah a bit more that should come with experience, but hardly something lacking in a 23 year old pitcher.

richbrave

February 28th, 2012
11:34 am

“…….I’m not sure what pitcher…especially LHP, we could have picked that would be better, and that was the priority that year………” RaleighBravesFan

Wasn’t the scuttle-buttback in ‘09 that they wanted another LH’er but he was already off the board when the BRAVES got on the clock [7th] so they ’settled’ for MINOR?

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
11:34 am

I’m not sure what pitcher…especially LHP, we could have picked that would be better, and that was the priority that year.

I know. And a quick rise through the system was needed, and like that. And at that time, there was still hope for Schafer in CF, etc. A perfect storm of circumstances that led to a high-floor pitcher at the pick instead of a high-ceiling HS OF.

I can understand the logic of it without having to like it, though, can’t I?

Lew

February 28th, 2012
11:34 am

Actually – the team went 10-4 in thise 14 starts.

Murph

February 28th, 2012
11:38 am

Bat, I don’t think it’s a matter of having unrealistic expectations for Minor. At least, it’s not with me. I expect him to pitch the way he pitches.

For me it’s always about playing the guy who gives your team the best chance to win and, given the other options in the Braves’ system, I can’t point at Minor and say “that’s the guy”.

I’m a big Delgado fan. The way he pitched in September against division rivals in the heat of a playoff race showed me a lot about the kid and his mental makeup. Yes, he only had a 1-1 record in his seven starts, but he also got under 3 runs of support per game versus Minor’s almost 5 runs of support.

I think Delgado gives the team the best chance to win.

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
11:39 am

I am sure if the blog would have been around at that time, we might be having the same or even worse talks about this lefty who doesn’t throw very hard.

Oh golly, think about what we’d have had with Smoltz and his injury problems. Blog would have wanted him traded at the first suture.

raleighbravefan

February 28th, 2012
11:42 am

Murph – I, too, was quite impressed with Delgado…but I think it’s WAY too early to make a real judgement on which of the 4 will end up being the best, much less which is the best right now…That person (best right now) may very well be Medlen, BTW.

raleighbravefan

February 28th, 2012
11:45 am

scoots – Smoltz injuries…but his phsyche early in his coreer, even moreso. He was the first player I ever heard of being associated with a sports psychologist. Dr. Lewellen became famous. Just think of the treatment the blog would give now (head case, doesn’t have the emotional make-up, and worse).

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
11:48 am

Just think of the treatment the blog would give now (head case, doesn’t have the emotional make-up, and worse).

Maybe I’ll make up a back-in-time thread to discuss that, just for chuckles. Hafta get some doom-and-gloomers on board to do it justice, though.

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
11:54 am

head case, doesn’t have the emotional make-up

Dudes who would have called him “head case” early are probably the same ones who called him “warrior” later, I’m guessing. However, pointing out that dichotomy to them would probably have elicited only a blank stare.

Jimmy

February 28th, 2012
11:55 am

Murph – I think I read where DOB said JJ is in the running for Opening Day.

monty

February 28th, 2012
12:00 pm

In his last 153 innings Kris Medlen has posted an ERA under 3.50 and leads Mike Minor in almost all statistical categories even with Kris allowing 17 earned runs in his 1st – 24 innings out the gate. Whether he’s 5ft.2 or 6ft.10 the guy can pitch. He throws as hard as “Doggie” did in his prime(91-92) and has better control and a better change up than Minor. I’m not against Minor. Kris just has better numbers and in my opinion, the it factor. I want all of our guys to excel, I just think if Chris was 6ft. 4 and left handed with his present numbers he would already be penciled in as the 5th starter and everyone would be talking about how he’s the 2nd coming of somebody. But because he’s not either of those then…oh well… bull pen…..I guess he’s been fighting that all his life….the creme rises though.

Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)

February 28th, 2012
12:00 pm

The 2011 Atlanta Braves stole 77 bases and gave up 128. With Bourn and Pastornicky anchoring the top and bottom of our batting order this year, those numbers should be in reverse.

Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)

February 28th, 2012
12:04 pm

Murph, Among all our young starting pitchers Randall Delgado is the most seasoned of the bunch. With more than 100 minor league starts and 538 innings under his belt.

Ray

February 28th, 2012
12:05 pm

Smoltz would have been destroyed on here with his early mental aspects not being able to get it done. What was he at one all-star break like 1-2 wins with double digit losses? And then had an unbelievable second half.

nolie

February 28th, 2012
12:08 pm

Delgado is prtolly not all that much better than Minor

Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)

February 28th, 2012
12:09 pm

nolie

February 28th, 2012
12:08 pm

Delgado is prtolly not all that much better than Minor

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Only time will tell the tale.

nolie

February 28th, 2012
12:13 pm

That’s right coach, I was mostly pokin’ Murph…..

TennesseePaul

February 28th, 2012
12:27 pm

I can understand the logic of it without having to like it, though, can’t I?

Of course. Because that logic I believe is also failed. I’m of the frame of mind that a team should draft the best talent regardless of position. Why? Because as RBF pointed out: “The draft is not the only way to acquire top talent.” That is to say, if the team had need for a particular positional player, they could acquire him through other means. But utilize the draft to stock the system with the best talent possible. If you end up with 17 top notch Willie Mays-esque CF as a result, fine. You can take your pick for each of the three outfield spots and two bench spots and trade the rest for that pitcher you need.

Venice Jim

February 28th, 2012
12:28 pm

Chipper time on 680 in a few minutes…

TennesseePaul

February 28th, 2012
12:28 pm

*is also flawed. It is a failure riddled with flaws.

Lemke's Knuckler

February 28th, 2012
12:29 pm

richbrave…”Wasn’t the scuttle-buttback in ‘09 that they wanted another LH’er but he was already off the board when the BRAVES got on the clock [7th] so they ’settled’ for MINOR?”

They wanted hometown boy Zach Wheeler, but Giants scooped him up #6. There’s debate to whether they should have drafted Leake, Turner, Matzek or Crow, but the word I remember reading was they drafted Minor due to signability and because the Braves were weak in the upper levels of the system and Minor would rise quickly because of his college experience.

Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)

February 28th, 2012
12:30 pm

TennesseePaul, which is exactly what the Philadelphia Phillies do.

TennesseePaul

February 28th, 2012
12:31 pm

That whole sentence was high jacked by some other thought which then crapped all over the keys…

**But that logic, I believe, is also flawed.

Lemke's Knuckler

February 28th, 2012
12:32 pm

That 2009 draft was pretty strong in pitching: Strasburg, Wheeler, Minor, Leake, Storen, Matzek, Crow, Shelby Miller, etc.

BravesFanSince80's

February 28th, 2012
12:33 pm

TERRIBLE song DOB, I know you shoot for the “off the beaten track” types of music, but bad music is bad music. period. this coming from a former musician with a song-writer dad and years of gritty bar-hopping experiences behind me. not much of a voice on that guy, poor phrasing, basic almost juvenile arrangement, just not good music. my dad always told me and my brothers that he didn’t care what kind of music we listened to, but just to pick out the good stuff from whatever we did listen to. that should hold true for anybody. terrible song…

brian

February 28th, 2012
12:33 pm

Smoltz was admittedly a head case for a while and he was a warrior later on in his career. They are not mutually exclusive. Being a “head case” also does not mean one has a bad attitude. Smotlz was almost too competitive and too hard on himself. He started psyching himself out on the mound, sought help, worked through the problem, and became a Hall of Fame pitcher

Jimmy

February 28th, 2012
12:34 pm

10Paul – I agree with your 12:27

Baseball differs from the NFL or NBA when it comes to the draft. The Falcons will draft according to their needs , knowing the player will be in the big game the next season. It will take several years for the player to have an impact on a MLB team (some exceptions, I know).
In MLB, you SHOULD take the best talent, no matter what position it is.

That is my opinon. Nothing more than that.

Jeff R

February 28th, 2012
12:35 pm

I think Minor has the potential to be a capable back of the rotation pitcher. I don’t believe he’s a 5 ERA pitcher. I think that underestimates Minor’s ability significantly. I sure don’t think he’s ahead of Teheran or Delgado in terms of talent or potential. But talent and potential aren’t the only determinants of whether or not a player has staying power in the MLB.

The Braves are fortunate to be as deep as they are in the rotation and bullpen (or potentially in both, factoring in the kids). Let’s see what Minor and the others do moving forward.

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
12:40 pm

I just think if [Medlen] was 6ft. 4 and left handed with his present numbers he would already be penciled in

Might be true. Because at six-four-two-twenty, there would be few concerns as to whether his frame could handle the rigor of 35 starts and 200+ innings. And as a lefty, he would be a rarer commodity. All these attributes would make him more desirable as a starter.

However, he’s neither of those things. Instead, he’s a smallish, low-90s righty with low odds of being a stellar starting pitcher. That has nothing to do with a like or dislike of Medlen. It’s just a realistic projection of what he might be able to do with his ML career, given his physical attributes and his so-far-displayed pitching abilities.

Now, could he beat those odds and become a stud starter? Sure. Happens often enough to be within the realm of possibility. Do you want to go with that as a Plan A? Probably not.

Jimmy

February 28th, 2012
12:40 pm

BFS80’s – I already know I don’t share the same taste in music as DOB (no offense). So, I just skip it and concentrate on his baseball reporting. And I do enjoy that!

Bat Masterson

February 28th, 2012
12:42 pm

? I think Delgado gives the team the best chance to win.

That’s kind of what I mean. Beachy has had some success but whoknows yet, same with Delgado, or Teheran, or Minor……… Guys struggling some seems more the norm and I wonder if people have the patience for it right now.

Murph

February 28th, 2012
12:43 pm

That’s right coach, I was mostly pokin’ Murph…..

You’d give the 4 year old a run for her money. She acts a lot like you. She messes with the 5 year old all day long and, much like I do with you, the 5 year old just shrugs her shoulders and moves on with her day.

The only difference between you and the 4 year old is that one of you just got out of diapers and the other is just going back into diapers.

Lemke's Knuckler

February 28th, 2012
12:46 pm

nscoots…”he’s neither of those things. Instead, he’s a smallish, low-90s righty with low odds of being a stellar starting pitcher.”

You neglect the fact he has THE best changeup in the entire organization. I give him a better than average shot at being a very solid major league starter.

Murph

February 28th, 2012
12:47 pm

Guys struggling some seems more the norm and I wonder if people have the patience for it right now.

If Minor struggles, does he get left in the rotation all year? Say he puts up a Lowe-esque season… do you continue to give him the ball and hope he works his way through it or do you go with one of the more talented prospects?

It comes down to a decision about whether Minor is viewed as a future part of the organization or if he’s viewed as a guy who is keeping a rotation spot warm for someone better. I personally think he’s a rotation warmer.

As others have said though, time will tell. And then I’ll come running back here to tell you all I told you so.

interested bystanderss

February 28th, 2012
12:52 pm

Molina. 5@75. Okay liberty. Pay McCann

abeeewright

February 28th, 2012
12:55 pm

I keep reading about Minor’s “nearly 5 ERA.”

He had a 4.14 ERA in 15 starts in 2011.

His ERA in 8 starts in 2010 was dismal (5.98). However, there are few pitchers with a good ERA in their first year in the bigs.

I think the 4.14 is much more representative of who Minor is than 5.98.

BTW …
Delgado 7 games, 2.83 ERA
Teheran 3 GS, 5.08 ERA

Glavine’s first year, 9 GS, 5.54 ERA
Smoltz’s first year, 12 GS, 5.48 ERA
Millwood’s first year, 8 GS, 4.03 ERA
Avery’s first year, 20 GS, 5.64 ERA

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
12:56 pm

I gotta stop talking about Medlen and starting. People are going to think I have some sort of personal vendetta against the guy, LOL.

kenhotlanta

February 28th, 2012
12:56 pm

Murph: “The only difference between you and the 4 year old is that one of you just got out of diapers and the other is just going back into diapers.”
That’s just classic!

George Stein

February 28th, 2012
12:57 pm

No need to pay McCann yet, interested bystanderss. He’s under contract for this year with a club option for next year. Why the rush?

abeeewright

February 28th, 2012
12:58 pm

Kris Medlen, 2009, 4 GS, 4.26 ERA
Kris Medlen, 2010, 14 GS, 3.68 ERA

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
12:59 pm

It comes down to a decision about whether Minor is viewed as a future part of the organization or if he’s viewed as a guy who is keeping a rotation spot warm for someone better.

Is that not what he himself alluded to in the oft-quoted interview? For which, I might add, he was excoriated in this forum?

Lemke's Knuckler

February 28th, 2012
1:00 pm

To me, Medlen is a victim of bad timing. He had the misfortune of being in the shadow of Tommy Hanson, much in the same way Freeman came up in Heyward’s shadow. The kid can flat out pitch, and if it wasn’t for the fact the Braves have 9 viable options for the rotation, Medlen would be starting and the Braves brass would be very happy to run him out there every 5th day.

George Stein

February 28th, 2012
1:04 pm

I actually like Medlen, but not as a starter. He shows some platoon split issues and I also tend to think he won’t hold up with a starter workload. However, he could hold tremendous value as a three inning longman. Unfortunately, Fredi gets confused by players that don’t fit a preexisting mold.

Bat Masterson

February 28th, 2012
1:05 pm

I just think it’s funny some people here want to make Beachy the opening day starter or punch his ticket to the HOF based on his starts last year ……….or get rid of Minor………. bring on Delgado……. trade Teheran or whatever ………….. based on not much really ……… of course if Beachy has a few bad starts it’ll be time to burn his ass down and try someone else.

The Braves need about 8 or 10 more starters

TennesseePaul

February 28th, 2012
1:10 pm

Now, could he beat those odds and become a stud starter? Sure. …. but, I ncscoots, refuse to afford him the opportunity to do so, damn scurvy little runt.

TennesseePaul

February 28th, 2012
1:11 pm

He didn’t fix it, still rather grotesquely swollen.

That is rather grotesquely put. It’s been 5 months and it’s still not looking good…

cabravesfan

February 28th, 2012
1:14 pm

I have nothing to do…

richbrave

February 28th, 2012
1:23 pm

CAB:

Then I suggest that you don’t. Your fav AARON CORP was in the paper yesterday with a very short piece on his NFL combine experience. He’s projected toward the back-end of the draft. Frankly, with his brittle history, I think he falls out of the draft altogether.

cabravesfan

February 28th, 2012
1:24 pm

richbrave-

I would be shocked if he gets drafted. Now, he may end up in someone’s camp as a free agent…

George

February 28th, 2012
1:26 pm

Can we listen to 680 on the internet?

cabravesfan

February 28th, 2012
1:29 pm

George-

Yes. That’s how we listen. http://www.680thefan.com

richbrave

February 28th, 2012
1:29 pm

There’s an epidemic of not fixing injuries going around. Several on the REDSKINS too. Most notably SS LaRON LANDRY who adamantly refuses to repair an injured achilles for two years hand-runnung. If this injury hampers ‘Georgie’s’ ST in any way, color him gone in a BRAVES uni. He’s on the cut cusp as it is in my humble opinion.

Ease

February 28th, 2012
1:30 pm

You need a computer to be able.

George

February 28th, 2012
1:34 pm

Thank you cab.

Venice Jim

February 28th, 2012
1:36 pm

George – on the website, go to Audio Vault under Buck and Kincade and you can find today’s interviews from Bobby, Chipper and Fredi (which I’m sure you can’t wait to hear)…

George

February 28th, 2012
1:36 pm

Just downloaded thier player, guess I missed CHIPPER.

George

February 28th, 2012
1:38 pm

Oh Thank you VJ, I see Vault on right side of page.

Lemke's Knuckler

February 28th, 2012
1:39 pm

George Stein…”He shows some platoon split issues and I also tend to think he won’t hold up with a starter workload.”

Huh? I don’t see how you can say he has “platoon split issues”. See below

2009: .894 OPS against righties, .568 OPS against lefties
2010: .693 OPS against righties, .765 OPS against righties

If those were going in the same direction, you’d have a valid argument. But there is nothing to suggest that he’s a matchup pitcher that belongs in the bullpen. Also, in 2010 over his 14 starts, he averaged 6 innings per outing, better than the 5.6 averaged by Beachy. And in those 14 starts, he only went over 100 pitches once, which suggests he was efficient with his pitches and should be able to go 7+ innings consistently.

George

February 28th, 2012
1:41 pm

I just caught the end of Bobby live , now will listen to tape.

George

February 28th, 2012
1:42 pm

WOW George Stein is back.

tiger297

February 28th, 2012
1:42 pm

sccots – if we are discussing minor’s abilities as a 5th starter why would you not focus medlen’s longevity in the same vein? We aren’t penciling him in as a 1-4 guy that goes every 5th day and makes 35 starts and 200 innings (do any of our pitchers do that now anyway?) he is a #5 starter much more likely to get 25 starts than 35.

Although I’m guessing 10 fewer starts and 60 fewer innings still wouldn’t change your mind.

Lemke's Knuckler

February 28th, 2012
1:43 pm

oops, he had a .765 OPS against LEFTIES in 2010.

Bayou Brave

February 28th, 2012
1:49 pm

David O’Brien

February 28th, 2012
1:08 pm
DAP: It wasn’t the pinky that’s messed up with Constanza, it’s the right index finger that’s gnarled. Talked to him today. He didn’t fix it, still rather grotesquely swollen. Plans to do it after the coming season in November. Played winter ball this year.

Thanks.

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
1:50 pm

if we are discussing minor’s abilities as a 5th starter why would you not focus medlen’s longevity in the same vein?

I thought those were two separate threads, to tell you the truth. Maybe that’s why.

tiger297

February 28th, 2012
1:52 pm

scoots – maybe I missed it. Thought the discussion was better fit for the 5th spot and why Medlen shouldn’t be considered over Minor.

tiger297

February 28th, 2012
1:53 pm

I tend to link points together even when that might not be the case (wonder if nolie can give me a diagnosis or at least a name for that issue)

Bay Area Steve

February 28th, 2012
1:58 pm

“a diagnosis or at least a name for that issue”

I ain’t nolie, but lemme give her a shot:

I think it’s called reason, or critical thinking, or being intuitive, or… scoots is just a little slow.

ncscoots

February 28th, 2012
2:03 pm

or… scoots is just a little slow.

Not out of the realm.

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Freeman aims for Gold Glove and batting title, not HRs

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