75 replies to this topic

[BobPhelan]

I think my biggest question with him is where is he sitting with his velo. Dont care if he pops a 96. Is he sitting 90-92 or 93-94 and is he maintaing it.

93-94 and touching 95-96. Up a couple ticks from college. Same with Caden Hunter who went from touching mid 90’s to sitting mid 90’s with two plus offspeed pitches.

[BaltBird 24]

93-94 and touching 95-96. Up a couple ticks from college. Same with Caden Hunter who went from touching mid 90’s to sitting mid 90’s with two plus offspeed pitches.

Hunter getting the Levi Wells / Forret treatment only going about 4 IP each outing. Seems like they're allowing Dzierwa and Quinn go as long as they can.

[mikezpen]

D. went 6 scoreless against Reading tonite, (8/12) 1 hit and 7 K's. When are they gonna move him to 3-A????

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Get him up where we can start to get better idea on just how good he might be

[BaltBird 24]

https://x.com/i/stat...958292752458063

Filthy.

[mikezpen]

You'll notice he's not striking them out like he used to. 

 

Perhaps they're leaving him at Bowie because they're working on something he has to master before being successful at a higher level. Maybe it's a more effective breaking pitch. I can't possibly imagine any other reason they'd keep him there this long.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Its nearing the end of the year. Innings count getting up. He also could be showing signs of fatigue. Hrs still getting the results. Still expect a cup of coffee at AAA. Was never gonna be more than that in 2026

[glenn__davis]

You'll notice he's not striking them out like he used to. 

 

Perhaps they're leaving him at Bowie because they're working on something he has to master before being successful at a higher level. Maybe it's a more effective breaking pitch. I can't possibly imagine any other reason they'd keep him there this long.

 

He had 9 Ks on 8/6 and 7 Ks on 8/12 prior to last night.  

 

K-rate at Bowie is 10.0, was 11.1 at Frederick.  Obviously you'd assume it would drop a bit as he increases a level.

 

End of the day he seems guaranteed to start next year in AAA regardless.

[mikezpen]

or higher...depending on Spring Training.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

or higher...depending on Spring Training.

Not really. He could have an insane ST and he isn't starting out next season above AAA.

[mikezpen]

2 bad starts in a row.

 

Apparently there's something in there that needs fixing.

[BaltBird 24]

2 bad starts in a row.

Apparently there's something in there that needs fixing.

First full season? I'd expect him to hit a bit of a wall. Also a stretch to consider them "bad" starts.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Not concerned at all. The real test will be next year with the MLB ball

[BSLSteveBirrer]

First full season? I'd expect him to hit a bit of a wall. Also a stretch to consider them "bad" starts.

You don't consider a start in which a pitcher only goes 4 innings and gives up 6 hits, 2 walks, and 3 runs "bad"?

[glenn__davis]

Not concerned at all. The real test will be next year with the MLB ball

 

Correct.  He's shown what he can do at AA.  If healthy he'll start next year at AAA regardless and we'll see what he's got then.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Correct. He's shown what he can do at AA. If healthy he'll start next year at AAA regardless and we'll see what he's got then.

Ive mentioned the MLB ball before but I feel even more strongly not being overly invested in results before AAA. Not only can it be a noteworthy jump to AAA because of the ball, but then the jump to MLB is huge because of the talent gap. Obviously, Id rather see guys performing in AA and below but I really do have to show restraint.


Im sure these guys throw the MLB ball in the offsesaon and practice with it at lower levels. Still dont understand why there isnt a uniform ball.

[mikezpen]

Some of this could be the pile-up of innings and their effect. Some could be the fact that they've figured him out to some extent. But there were lots of calls to move him AAA (me among them). That was premature. Leaving him at Bowie was probably the best thing.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

He has earned the promotion. Its not like hes been god awful. I could still see it happening for his last start or two but Id guess at this point they just let him attack AAA to begin 2027. But he will undoubtedly begin next year in AAA

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Ive mentioned the MLB ball before but I feel even more strongly not being overly invested in results before AAA. Not only can it be a noteworthy jump to AAA because of the ball, but then the jump to MLB is huge because of the talent gap. Obviously, Id rather see guys performing in AA and below but I really do have to show restraint.


Im sure these guys throw the MLB ball in the offsesaon and practice with it at lower levels. Still dont understand why there isnt a uniform ball.

Talked to my wife about this the other day and she said 'it makes no sense to have a different ball..."  And no it doesn't.

[makoman]

From what I can tell with a bit of googling, major league balls are made in one factory in Costa Rica using US leather, are hand stitched, and have tight specs they must meet. Minor league balls are made in China with lower grade leather, different cork, and by machine. It ends up being like twice as much per ball for MLB balls. So as usual with everything, the answer is mostly money. Also Rawlings would have to vastly expand its operations or they'd have to use somebody else.