Jon Papelbon

[ACL BoSox]

Hey, I know Ortiz had the big hits tonight, but I wanna give a shoutout to Jon Papelbon who made it possible for those runs to mean something. I feel more confident with him than any other member of our bullpen. Hopefully he helps us out in the Yankee series this weekend and propels us towards the post-season.

[CalvnHobs6]

I was just gonna say that. He's incredible, and without question the ace of the future. I feel more confident with him on the mound than with anyone else on the team. He's truly something to watch.

[Ray10]

He's amazing somone who needs to be in the rotation next year for sure. I would be really surprised if he isn't into the starting rotation.

[Irish Jay]

Papelbon is the real deal. He really should be placed in the starting role seeing that Schilling and Arroyo are easier to score on than a Las Vegas hooker! Papelbon has the makeup of a superstar pitcher. Next year this team needs to make a turn to the young guns.

 

Enough of these free agent pickups of 36 year old 3rd starters, let's build a great rotaton as Oakland and Atlanta does. Papelbon will be a great starting pitcher very soon.

[Sizzlin22]

I'm not sold on him as a starter yet, he's got a great fastball so he can work out of the pen, but I think he needs to perfect that splitter and pick up a decent breaking ball before we put him in the rotation.

[ORS]

I disagree. In Papelbon's first few appearances (3 starts and first couple relief outings) he pretty much had to live on his fastball and its velocity/movement. He was a little wild and didn't look quite ready for the bigs.

 

That being said, he has totally turned it around (perhaps it was some nerves) and is starting to gain some polish. He's locating really well, his slider is looking more effective, and his splitter is starting to look really good. He's not just throwing gas now; he's starting to pitch. Even the hits he gave up last night were on some really good pitches.

 

This kid belongs in the rotation next year. He may experience some more growing pains as hitters get to see him some more, but in a couple of years, he is going to be a bonafide stopper/ace in the rotation. He's got moxie, a big arm, and is really starting the learn the art of pitching. The future's so bright, gotta wear .

[Sizzlin22]

His slider is looking ok at best when he pitches it. It works when he comes out of the bullpen, if he starts guys will be seeing him anywhere from 2-3 times in the same game. If they can get used to it and sit on fastball, he would have trouble in the mid to later innings.

 

I jut think he needs a good breaking ball and perfect his splitter to be his out pitch before we anoint (sp?) the next big thing".

[User Name]

Yeah. None of Ortiz's heroics could have happened without the great pitching from Papelbon.

[ClayBuchholzIsDaFuture]

His slider is looking ok at best when he pitches it. It works when he comes out of the bullpen, if he starts guys will be seeing him anywhere from 2-3 times in the same game. If they can get used to it and sit on fastball, he would have trouble in the mid to later innings.

 

I jut think he needs a good breaking ball and perfect his splitter to be his out pitch before we anoint (sp?) the next big thing".

I agree w/Sizz, Pap needs to perfect his splitter & it would be nice if he added a circle change... Next spring Training from Foulke maybe?

[MANNYHOF24]

His slider is looking ok at best when he pitches it. It works when he comes out of the bullpen, if he starts guys will be seeing him anywhere from 2-3 times in the same game. If they can get used to it and sit on fastball, he would have trouble in the mid to later innings.

 

I jut think he needs a good breaking ball and perfect his splitter to be his out pitch before we anoint (sp?) the next big thing".

 

I disagree about the slider, it has looked great and his splitter over the last oh... 5 apperances, his era as a starter is 2.25 so he is going to be lights out, he has great poise, he acts like a vet out there, Great Job Jon!!!!

[ClayBuchholzIsDaFuture]

And where's the respect ACL? It's Johnathan not Jon ....