74 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

We've discussed Strop in a number of threads, but it has typically been in the context of the pen as whole.

Wanted to start a new thread, to just discuss him.

After his outing in KC today, Strop is:

3-1, with 2 saves, and has a 1.23 era. In his 17 outings, he pitched 22 innings, allowing 10 hits, 1 hr, 10 bb's, with 19 k's. His OPS against is .517, and he has a 1.72 G/F ratio.

Lefties have a .714 OPS against (27 ab's), while Right-handed hitters have been held to a .379 OPS against (39 ab's).

It certainly feels that if the O's go into the 8th with a lead, that Strop and Johnson are going to secure the victory. That is a great feeling to have.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Strop has been dynamite. I think he'll have some control issues from time to time, but his G/F ratio helps him get out of trouble on the rare occasion he finds himself in a jam. He's induced 3 DP's this year in timely situations.

Even for a reliever, his 14% LD% and 20% SwStr% is just nasty. He's benefited a little with a .191 BABIP, but with 22 innings, it's still a SSS for all of this.

My biggest concern at this point with Strop is his # of innings. We're not quite 1/4th into the season, and he's on pace for 88 innings, which is too much for a reliever. Last year he threw 67 innings.

[Adam Wolff]

Strop has quickly become my favorite pitcher on the O's. He's fun to watch and has absolutely disgusting stuff. I look at him and he just screams closer to me. Agree with RIcker about innings. He's given us a lot so far, we don't want to have him completely worn down by the last part of the year, especially if we plan on being in contention for something meaningful.

[SportsGuy]

If his command stays good, he will be very good.

[Oriole85]

If his command stays good, he will be very good.

I agree with this, the tools are clearly there and he could have the highest ceiling in the 'pen.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Like Johnson, has not pitched since Tuesday. Would expect him to be used tonight.

[Adam Wolff]

Like Johnson, has not pitched since Tuesday. Would expect him to be used tonight.

Glad that they've gotten some rest. Nice to know that if we have 2 close games this weekend, they will be available for both.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Season: 3-2, 3 saves, 1.48 era, 30.1 ip, 18 hits, 1 hr, 17 bb's, 26 k's, .548 OPS against, 2.21 G/F

In '11, Strop threw 69.2 combined innings at Round Rock, Texas, and with the O's.

[Mackus]

Seems to have gotten a bit more wild lately, with 7 walks in his last 8 appearances (7.1 IP) but it hasn't caught up to him yet. Hopefully it's just a brief hiccup in command and he'll get back to his earlier walk rates. He can be dominant at the 3.8-4.0 BB/9 he was at earlier in the year given that his stuff is so good and he doesn't give up a lot of hits, but if he is up in the 5-6 BB/9 range, it'll be impossible to sustain his success for very long. I'm optimistic, I think he can get that control re-established and be a truly dominant late-inning reliever.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Seems to have gotten a bit more wild lately..I'm optimistic, I think he can get that control re-established and be a truly dominant late-inning reliever.

Showed again last night, as he got behind several hitters. Stuff is good enough to get past that any time he throws strikes. I share your optimism.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Seems to have gotten a bit more wild lately, with 7 walks in his last 8 appearances (7.1 IP) but it hasn't caught up to him yet. Hopefully it's just a brief hiccup in command and he'll get back to his earlier walk rates. He can be dominant at the 3.8-4.0 BB/9 he was at earlier in the year given that his stuff is so good and he doesn't give up a lot of hits, but if he is up in the 5-6 BB/9 range, it'll be impossible to sustain his success for very long. I'm optimistic, I think he can get that control re-established and be a truly dominant late-inning reliever.

Yes, the command is a bit concerning, but not particularly alarming with Strop, as far as I'm concerned. A huge mitigating factor to his wildness is his ability to induce ground balls (2.04 GB/FB). He's just got nasty stuff, and has gotten out of several jams with double plays (6 on the year). It's not that you can always count on that, but I do think there's sufficient reason to believe that he'll continue inducing GB's and giving up weak contact, which will help him escape damage fairly often. Not that I'm a big fan of the walks.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Strop looked ridiculously awesome in the 8th today against Zobrist, and Joyce.

[BSLChrisStoner]

With his scoreless outing tonight, Strop has not been scored on in his last 12 times out (since July 3rd).

[Mike B]

When Strop is under control he is as nasty as anyone. He is still learning. Texas has so much pitching that they gave that kind of arm away for Mike Gonzalez

[BSLChrisStoner]

MASN: For Strop, it's no longer about the radar gun
http://www.masnsport...-radar-gun.html

[Mackus]

I love watching him pitch. He's still a little wild, but he can still be a dominant reliever if he's averaging 4.5 BB/9 like he has this season. He doesn't need to develop amazing control to be a stud. He just needs to make sure he doesn't slip to worse than that. If he gets back up to 6-7 BB/9, he's gonna have a much harder time. But at 4-5 BB/9 he can continue to excel, IMO.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Heart skipped a beat on Hamilton's long foul, but coming back to get that strikeout in that situation was beautiful.

[Russ]

I have to channel SG and start thinking that teams could look at Strop as a future closer and be willing to give up a solid package for him.

[Oriole85]

Heart skipped a beat on Hamilton's long foul, but coming back to get that strikeout in that situation was beautiful.

I'd say so and the MASN camera work and crowd reaction compounded that.

[Oriole85]

I have to channel SG and start thinking that teams could look at Strop as a future closer and be willing to give up a solid package for him.

I'd listen to offers for either him or JJ(after this season).