Traveling The Same Path
Max Sherzer’s first career start (4 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) reminded a lot of Tim Lincecum’s last year (4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 5 K). Oddly enough, both came against the Phillies. Sure, the lines look similar, but that’s not what I found reminiscent. Watching Max on May 5, 2008, I saw a guy a bit overwhelmed, a guy carrying some unnecessary pressure and a guy simply pressing too much, trying to impress us all a little too much. That was Tim on May 6, 2007. Lincecum, in his second start, settled down and pitched 7.0 innings and gave up 2 ER, while walking 1 and striking out 6 for his first career win. In his second go-around, Max pitched 6.0 innings, gave up 1 ER, while walking 1 and striking out 6. Unfortunately, he was denied the win by a faulty bullpen. I point out all these comparisons only to say Max will be fine. He was well worth all those waiver wire grabs and will be a factor this fantasy season, albeit possibly from the bullpen (at least for the time being) as it has been reported that Doug Davis is one more rehab start from regaining his spot in the Diamondback’s rotation.
Deep Keep
I’ve been hearing whispers about a sixteen-year old pitching prospect by the name of Michael Inoa (aka: Micheal and Michel). He a Dominican right-hander and supposedly has MLB teams intrigued and lining up to sign him. Why? Word has it he’s 6-foot-7, 200-pounds and is already touching 94-mph with his fastball, again, at the age of sixteen. Add in a breaking ball and a splitter and it’ll be fun to see the news on him around July 2nd (scouting source: Baseball America). That’s when the international signing period begins and when we’re sure to hear more about this kid.
Missed It By That Much
How good was James Shields’ outing against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night (9 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB 8 K)? You might have heard he only faced 28 hitters, however, there’s more. Tori Hunter, in three at bats, saw a total of 13 pitches from Shields, yet he managed to make contact with only one, which resulted in a groundout to the shortstop. That’s, well, almost perfect.
That Was Fast
A few weeks ago, when I said Blake Dewitt’s bat would eventually catch up with his stellar defense, I’ll be honest, I did not expect it so soon. However, it’s happening now, in Dewitt’s second stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Check out the numbers yourself, but he is seeing the ball, hitting the ball and having a ball in the process. The kid plays with poise and vigor, something that is a lot of fun to watch.
Call Webster’s Dictionary
kei-igawa -- verb:
1. to play with no ability and no enthusiasm -- “Hey, Dorn, what was with you keiigawaing it today in the ninth?”
2. to throw a pitch and have it hit to perfection, as if the batter knew what was coming -- “Charlie, here comes the keiigawa. And when you speak of me, speak well.”
3. spending an exorbitant amount of money in a flashy manner, yet yielding no results -- “That professional dancer in Las Vegas had me keiigawaed all night.”
Byrd In The Hand
Aaron Laffey needs to stay in the Cleveland Indians rotation. A Byrd-less rotation of CC Sabathia, Fausto Carmona, Cliff Lee, Jake Westbrook and Aaron Laffey is just plain better, smarter and more formidable. And that’s a knee-jerk reaction on my part after his 7.0 innings of 2 hit ball against Toronto on Saturday. If you’ve been reading this column the last few weeks, you know I’ve been watching the kid and he could/should very well be 3-0, in turn, making Cleveland a better team. It’ll be interesting to see what the Indians do when Westbrook returns.
Thanks For Stopping By
A day after he went 3-for-4 with a home run, the Red Sox sent Jed Lowrie back to Triple-A Pawtucket in order to make room for Alex Cora. Ugh.
Keep Walking, Nothing to See Here
Watched Nick Adenhart’s second start with the Los Angeles Angels and, well, it was nothing special. I had concerns about his walk rate when he was in the minor and he’s now walked 10 in 6.1 major league innings.
Bold-Stupid-Absurd Prediction
While watching Fausto Carmona pitch in an attempt to decipher what’s been wrong with him this season, I was reminded of something. When I was a kid, my dad woke me up one night to watch the last 3 innings of Lenny Barker’s perfect game as a Cleveland Indian. It was May 15, 1981. The game was against the Toronto Blue Jays and Lenny’s pitches were falling off a table that night. It was a moment in time I’ll never forget, a moment I recalled while watching Fausto. I saw nothing wrong with him, which got me believing he’s going to figure it out really quick, which, in turn, got me reminiscing about Lenny. Call it a gut feeling, call it a premonition, but I think when Fausto does figure it out, that night just might be perfect for him and the Indians. Crazy, I know. So absurd, you should consider never bother to read me again. However, you also heard it here first.
Who/What You Should Be Watching This Week:
Fausto Carmona, Kevin Slowey, Clayton Kershaw
Kenji Johjima, Jarrod Saltamacchia, Jeff Clement
Jody Gerut, Chase Headley, Matt LaPorta
Yankees at Rays, Tigers at Diamondbacks, Mets at Yankees
Major League Words of Wisdom: Yo Padres! You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Lollygaggers.
Phil Brody resides in Los Angeles, California. He works as a freelance writer and director. In his spare time, he devours everything baseball. He can be reached at: philbrody@earthlink.net.