Youth Movement

[yankeessuck013]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=rs-youth082605&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

Jon Papelbon – The rookie right-hander has made three starts for the Boston Red Sox, with his longest outing going 5 2/3 innings. I can see him being Boston's closer in the future – he can throw multiple pitches for strikes.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Why the hell is everyone so fixated on making everyone who can pitch good enough a closer? It's annoying as hell.

 

 

BTW, on a Jon Papelbon related note, I must say i love the name of one of the newer members, Jon_Papelboner. god thats so funny

[Zenny]

Papelbon as closer makes no sense when guys like Hansen and Delcarmen are waiting in the wings and both are relief pitchers. Papelbon is a proven starter. Duh, use him there.

[Sizzlin22]

Delcarmen does not have closer stuff, he's set up man material. Hansen obviously has not even pitched in the bigs yet so there is no way we can say.

 

People are high on Papelbon as a closer because he pitches like a closer. He has the prototype mid-90's fastball, with late accelration on it. He also has a great outpitch (splitter) which all great closers have. I actually agree that Papelbon owuld make a brilliant closer.

[riverside sluggers]

its gonna be moreso Craig Hansen than Papelbon will be, Paps has already been indicated by Tito and Theo a starter in 2006

[ORS]

Delcarmen does not have closer stuff, he's set up man material. Hansen obviously has not even pitched in the bigs yet so there is no way we can say.

 

People are high on Papelbon as a closer because he pitches like a closer. He has the prototype mid-90's fastball, with late accelration on it. He also has a great outpitch (splitter) which all great closers have. I actually agree that Papelbon owuld make a brilliant closer.

I'm not sold on Papelbon's control in the closer role. Yeah, he was a closer in college, but plate discipline is not the norm in college. His K/BB ratio and BB/9 ratio in the minors aren't nearly as good as Hansen's, and the only knock on him thus far in the bigs is his control. I know Hansen's IP is very low, but the book on him has always been that he has very good control, which he is proving in Portland.

[riverside sluggers]

thats just Ryne Sandberg's opinion on him, look for him to be the #5 starter in 06

[MC Hammer]

I don't really see a need to change a starter into a closer. It's something you do 1. When the guy can't cut it as a starter or 2. He is getting into the late stages of his career and is losing stamina. Paps doesn't fall into either category so I don't see a reason to do it. I don't see why you would want to change his mind set when he's going to be starting next year. I think keeping him in the bullpen is fine, but I don't think I want him to close.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Yeah, it seems like everyone wants someone who can strike out 2 guys and inning to be closer. In that case, why is Pedro still a starter?

 

I'm starting a petition. Clemens for closer! That way we can have all these guys who can pitch 200 good innings a year,(like Papelbon) only pitch 70!!!

[Sizzlin22]

Papelbon has started 3 times, three. Everyone's talking like he's a bona fide starter. He's very flexible at this point, he has closer stuff, he's not going to be in the rotation after Wells' suspension, why not give him a try at the closer? It's not like he doesn't have expierience.