Charlie Zink

[BoSox21]

Charlie Zink, for those that don't know, is a knuckleballer for Pawtucket and pitched a two-hit shutout last night. Now, obviously any pitcher who relies on the "dancing cowhide" is subject to inconsistency but consider his line for the season:

 

9-2, 2.42 ERA, 80 H, 72/34 K/BB, 111 2/3 IP

 

What are the odds this 29-year-old can come in the next time a spot starter is needed and maybe stick with the rotation for a bit to be a valuable innings-eater for a struggling bullpen? Furthermore, can two knuckleballers co-exist in one rotation? Maybe Varitek could use the extra rest...

[yeszir]

It seems like we've been hearing about him forever.

[Jayhawk Bill]

The Major League Equivalent of a minor league pure knuckleball pitcher's ERA is his minor league ERA. MLB hitters at better at hitting fastballs, in particular, but also curves, sinkers and sliders. MLB hitters are no better at hitting knuckleballs than MiLB hitters.

 

Zink hasn't been good enough in previous years to consider bringing him up as anything other than a KOOGY*, but if his improvement in 2008 is real he'd be an extraordinary asset.

 

 

 

* KOOGY: Knuckleball Only One GuY, similar to a LOOGY. There are splits to see which MLB hitters can't hit Tim Wakefield, and bringing up Zink in September expressly to face those batters might be viable with an expanded roster.

[ksushi]

I think Buchholz and Colon will get a shot if we need somebody before Zink will. I know Zink has done well, but I don't think he factors into our long-term plans like Buchholz, and I don't think he could have as much value on the trade market as Colon if we can get him on the field.

 

Both of those things have to be taken into account.

[a700hitter]

I think Buchholz and Colon will get a shot if we need somebody before Zink will. I know Zink has done well, but I don't think he factors into our long-term plans like Buchholz, and I don't think he could have as much value on the trade market as Colon if we can get him on the field.

 

Both of those things have to be taken into account.

Colon will be returning to the rotation whether we need him or not. I think his ability to go deep into games will be very valuable.

[Cityofchampions33]

I could have sworn I heard he has started to use his knuck less and less,, relying more on his other pitchers now, though I could be completely making this up.

[Jayhawk Bill]

I could have sworn I heard he has started to use his knuck less and less' date=', relying more on his other pitchers now, though I could be completely making this up.[/quote']

 

Quite possibly--I'm only pointing out the MLE of his knuckleball work.

[BoSox21]

would this mean Kottaras is getting valuable experience catching a knuckleball or does Zink have his own catcher too?

[TheKilo]

Brown and Kottaras have both caught the knuckleball for Zink...which begs the question why Cash is still on this roster.

 

I do not look forward to Cash flailing at 98 MPH fastballs from Joba tomorrow.

[a700hitter]

Brown and Kottaras have both caught the knuckleball for Zink...which begs the question why Cash is still on this roster.

 

I do not look forward to Cash flailing at 98 MPH fastballs from Joba tomorrow.

... or maybe he'll get lucky and as Tito says he'll run into one.

[jacksonianmarch]

He used to touch 90 with the heater and had a pretty nice slider before he picked up the knuckleball

[ksushi]

Colon will be returning to the rotation whether we need him or not. I think his ability to go deep into games will be very valuable.

 

Have we even seen Colon in the 7th yet? Maybe once? This isn't Old Colon, this is New Colon, not quite the same as the Old Colon. He isn't who he used to be, and I have to think with the way Buchholz is impressing right now Bartolo Colon could best add to this team by being added to another.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Checking BP's MLE page, Charlie Zink has an ERALF (Luck Free ERA) in Pawtucket of 4.03. Using their standard MLE algorithms, which I know count Zink's age against him without counting his knuckleball for him, he's shown as projecting to a 4.59 ERALF in MLB.

 

That's a reasonable range for Zink in MLB: 4.03 to 4.59, or, more realistically, 3.50 to 5.00. That's MLB-caliber starting pitching, even at its worst end; it's not as good as the AAA ERA would lead one to believe.

[RobZombie]

Checking BP's MLE page, Charlie Zink has an ERALF (Luck Free ERA) in Pawtucket of 4.03. Using their standard MLE algorithms, which I know count Zink's age against him without counting his knuckleball for him, he's shown as projecting to a 4.59 ERALF in MLB.

 

That's a reasonable range for Zink in MLB: 4.03 to 4.59, or, more realistically, 3.50 to 5.00. That's MLB-caliber starting pitching, even at its worst end; it's not as good as the AAA ERA would lead one to believe.

 

The reason for the large difference between his ERALF and actual ERA is his extremely low BABIP which stands at .220 or so. As many know average for the MLB is usually about .300 or so.

 

However, knuckleballers have been shown to have lower BABIPs than other pitchers. This means that the ERALF for Zink should be discounted more than it would be for a normal pitcher. Lets also consider that although Zink is in his late 20s, its not unusual for knuckleballers to start to "get it" at that age. Lets remember that Wakefield didn't win a spot in the rotation for good until he was in his mid 30s.

 

Right now there isn't really a spot for him on the roster. I'd certainly take Clay over him as he has much more upside. But if the Sox needed a starter, I think he's incredibly intriguing.

[Jayhawk Bill]

The reason for the large difference between his ERALF and actual ERA is his extremely low BABIP which stands at .220 or so. As many know average for the MLB is usually about .300 or so.

 

However, knuckleballers have been shown to have lower BABIPs than other pitchers. This means that the ERALF for Zink should be discounted more than it would be for a normal pitcher. Lets also consider that although Zink is in his late 20s, its not unusual for knuckleballers to start to "get it" at that age. Lets remember that Wakefield didn't win a spot in the rotation for good until he was in his mid 30s.

 

Right now there isn't really a spot for him on the roster. I'd certainly take Clay over him as he has much more upside. But if the Sox needed a starter, I think he's incredibly intriguing.

 

Pardon my being away. Good points.

[jacksonianmarch]

I hope he comes up. Another MLB pitcher I got a hit off of.

[riverside sluggers]

Tonights the major league debut of Charlie Zink! At 28 years old and being in the Red Sox organization for awhile, adrenaline is definitely pumping through his veins. Heres hoping a decent start awaits him and the Sox pound the Rangers putrid pitching staff

[Dojji]

Zink's earned this shot. He's been at this for 7 years now, trying to break in. Good for him that he finally got the opportunity to do it.

[yeszir]

I hope he comes up. Another MLB pitcher I got a hit off of.

 

What?

[VA Sox Fan]

jacko in the Wakefield on the DL thread:

 

nah, I faced him in college. He played for Luis Tiant at Savannah A&D.