628 replies to this topic

[BaltBird 24]

Realistically, they'd probably like to have 6 capable starters just to save some wear and tear on Bradish, Wells, and Kremer as the season goes on. Gibson, Irvin, and Rodriguez will have to eat some innings.

[Mike B]

Realistically, they'd probably like to have 6 capable starters just to save some wear and tear on Bradish, Wells, and Kremer as the season goes on. Gibson, Irvin, and Rodriguez will have to eat some innings.

Maybe they go to the 6 man rotation when the rosters grow by 2 in September.  By that time, maybe we have added a starter or John Means is ready to pitch.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

I hope I was clear there.
There is no doubt his future is in the rotation.

I understood you and I think its a real possibility. Consider that hes surely on an innings limit anyway. Not sure where he stands on that between AAA and the show.

[BaltBird 24]

Maybe they go to the 6 man rotation when the rosters grow by 2 in September. By that time, maybe we have added a starter or John Means is ready to pitch.

Really can't rely on Means for anything this year.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

The only way this makes sense to me is if they want to get him a few starts before the deadline as a means to further judge how much they need to go after a high end guy. Otherwise I can see calling him up but not starting him against the Dodgers.

[Slidemaster]

The only way this makes sense to me is if they want to get him a few starts before the deadline as a means to further judge how much they need to go after a high end guy. Otherwise I can see calling him up but not starting him against the Dodgers.

I think that's exactly what it is.

[Mike B]

Really can't rely on Means for anything this year.

Probably right, but the Orioles need to let it play out to see if there is a way he can help.  An all men on deck type of thing.

[Mike B]

The only way this makes sense to me is if they want to get him a few starts before the deadline as a means to further judge how much they need to go after a high end guy. Otherwise I can see calling him up but not starting him against the Dodgers.

I think they made the decision about a week ago.  Grayson threw 3 innings.  I was pretty sure he was coming after that.  I think you are right, it probably is a test.  If he pitches well against the Dodgers, it should provide a big boost of confidence.

[hallas]

His arm angle was slightly altered comparing the beginning of the year to his last couple starts in Norfolk. Maybe that was a change he needed to unlock his potential. It's possible his injury affected his mechanics and he needed a bit of a reset.

Attached Files

•  20230706_004733.jpg   77.35K   18 downloads

[BSLChrisStoner]

• Rodriguez fires 100+ mph stuff in return to O's

[BaltBird 24]

• Rodriguez fires 100+ mph stuff in return to O's

Didn't look much different except some extra velocity out the gate.

[BobPhelan]

Didn't look much different except some extra velocity out the gate.

 

@AlexFast8

 

"Some changes I noticed from Grayson Rodriguez yesterday:

 

- Release closer to 3B

- Season low vert on FF

- Season low VAA on FF

- Less horizontal break on CH

- Just one cutter"

 

https://twitter.com/...2581280768?s=20

 

 

• Orioles Grayson Rodriguez returned from a long stint at Triple-A. While his velocity was the most notable factor during the outing, looking at the entire outing, his velo was up <.5 mph. He did throw his 8 hardest pitches of the season, all in the first inning (likely adrenaline with the recall + the Dodgers?). His fastball actually had 1.5-2” less vertical break (ride) as well. So there’s a slight downtick in Stuff+ here from 122 to 118. What’s helping maintain the stuff score despite a notable drop in carry is a slightly lower release height (1-2”) and added extension (1-2”).

  • It also seems like he’s ditched his cutter, cutting the usage from 14% in his April-May MLB starts to just 1% yesterday. Perhaps the most encouraging part of this outing to me is the slider improvement. The pitch averaged 81 mph with 2” vertical break and 13” sweep. Yesterday’s slider had more lift (4” vertical break), a comparable amount of sweep (11”) and more velocity (83mph). FanGraphs Stuff+ here ticked up from 121 to 143. The caution here is just that he only threw 8 of them, so I’ll be monitoring it in his next outing. "

• https://lancebroz.su...ayson-rodriguez

[Slidemaster]

<p>
@AlexFast8

"Some changes I noticed from Grayson Rodriguez yesterday:

- Release closer to 3B
- Season low vert on FF
- Season low VAA on FF
- Less horizontal break on CH
- Just one cutter"

https://twitter.com/...2581280768?s=20

• Orioles Grayson Rodriguez returned from a long stint at Triple-A. While his velocity was the most notable factor during the outing, looking at the entire outing, his velo was up <.5 mph. He did throw his 8 hardest pitches of the season, all in the first inning (likely adrenaline with the recall + the Dodgers?). His fastball actually had 1.5-2” less vertical break (ride) as well. So there’s a slight downtick in Stuff+ here from 122 to 118. What’s helping maintain the stuff score despite a notable drop in carry is a slightly lower release height (1-2”) and added extension (1-2”).
  
  • It also seems like he’s ditched his cutter, cutting the usage from 14% in his April-May MLB starts to just 1% yesterday. Perhaps the most encouraging part of this outing to me is the slider improvement. The pitch averaged 81 mph with 2” vertical break and 13” sweep. Yesterday’s slider had more lift (4” vertical break), a comparable amount of sweep (11”) and more velocity (83mph). FanGraphs Stuff+ here ticked up from 121 to 143. The caution here is just that he only threw 8 of them, so I’ll be monitoring it in his next outing. "
• https://lancebroz.su...ayson-rodriguez

In your mind, is there any reason to worry about Grayson's eventual big league performance based on what you've seen? It is deeply disturbing to me how often they have had pitchers dominate in the minors only to turn to ash in the majors.

[makoman]

In your mind, is there any reason to worry about Grayson's eventual big league performance based on what you've seen? It is deeply disturbing to me how often they have had pitchers dominate in the minors only to turn to ash in the majors.

Who did that with this regime though?

[BobPhelan]

In your mind, is there any reason to worry about Grayson's eventual big league performance based on what you've seen? It is deeply disturbing to me how often they have had pitchers dominate in the minors only to turn to ash in the majors.

Absolutely no worry whatsoever.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Absolutely no worry whatsoever.

There is some concern he isnt a stud. I dont worry hes gonna completely flame out

[BobPhelan]

There is some concern he isnt a stud. I dont worry hes gonna completely flame out

Exactly. Not going to say “worst case” but lower end result would be a 3/4 SP.

[BSLChrisStoner]

He's going to be a #2 at worst imo.

I think he makes the leap to a league average 3/4 next year, and takes off from there.

[Slidemaster]

He's going to be a #2 at worst imo.

I think he makes the leap to a league average 3/4 next year, and takes off from there.

Didn't we hear this about Gausman and a slew of others in recent memory? What makes him different?

[Mackus]

Exactly. Not going to say “worst case” but lower end result would be a 3/4 SP.

 

I agree with this.  Always a chance a stud prospect doesn't make it, so can't completely rule that out.  But if we're making a pie chart, I think "not an MLB player" is the smallest segment, even smaller than "ace" and the other positive outcomes at least as likely as any of the less exciting outcomes.