Is the actual rotation the worst in the last 10 Y?

[sk7326]

Yup, tough to say a pitcher is being held back, when he hasn't pitched an inning in the majors.

 

I think innings in general - if he has a cap of say 150 innings this season, easier to massage it in AAA ... unless you think the Nation will be happy with him being pulled 85 pitches in regardless of how well he is doing (and given how sensitive the management often is to that sort of thing).

[iortiz]

Well, there's no need to talk more about Porcello. He sucks, plain and simple.

 

Milley on the other hand has had 4 solid starts in his last 5 games which is pretty encouraging. If the new 2 kids on the block perform decently, and Buch and Miley can stay this good, we will have some chances to emerge IF our offense awakes.

Edited May 28, 2015 by iortiz

[Kimmi]

I know some people are convinced that our hitting has been a product of bad luck, but on the Sunday night game one of the analysts provided a stat that debunks that notion. The Red Sox are at the bottom or toward the bottom in velocity of batted balls. We just don't hit the ball very hard. That is bad hitting not bad luck. Hanley looks injured, Ortiz looks old and overmatched by good heat, Sandoval is atrocious against lefties and Nava has been completely useless. He used to be useless from the right side and that dragged down his stats, but now he is used almost exclusively as a lefty (his good side) and he has been atrocious.

 

Interestingly, to date, out of 237 batters who have at least 50 at bats:

 

Hanley ranks 10th in batted ball velocity with an average velocity of 93.49 mph. Granted, his velocity has very likely declined since the shoulder injury, and most of this ranking is probably attributed to his strong April.

 

Napoli ranks 30th at 91.96 mph.

 

Ortiz ranks 36th at 91.73 mph.

 

Betts ranks 40th at 91.40 mph.

 

Sandoval is 83rd at 89.90 mph.

 

Pedroia is 165th at 87.38 mph.

 

Bogaerts is 223rd at 84.79 mph.

[Spudboy]

Those are good numbers!!!!!

 

No wonder the Sox hit so many HR and score so many runs!!!!

[a700hitter]

Interestingly, to date, out of 237 batters who have at least 50 at bats:

 

Hanley ranks 10th in batted ball velocity with an average velocity of 93.49 mph. Granted, his velocity has very likely declined since the shoulder injury, and most of this ranking is probably attributed to his strong April.

 

Napoli ranks 30th at 91.96 mph.

 

Ortiz ranks 36th at 91.73 mph.

 

Betts ranks 40th at 91.40 mph.

 

Sandoval is 83rd at 89.90 mph.

 

Pedroia is 165th at 87.38 mph.

 

Bogaerts is 223rd at 84.79 mph.

 

Are there team rankings for this? That would be the telling stat, not individual stats.

Edited May 28, 2015 by a700hitter

[Bellhorn04]

In a related story, on Yawkey Way the s*** has been hitting the fan with a velocity of 111.11 mph.

[a700hitter]

In a related story, on Yawkey Way the s*** has been hitting the fan with a velocity of 111.11 mph.

Please elaborate.

[Bellhorn04]

Please elaborate.

 

Sorry, that was just a joke.

[cp176]

With Rodriguez on the mound at least it gives me something to get excited about. New blood - a change from the norm-try something different. It has been so damn sad watching them. Either too young or too old or too whatever. Sholuld have been a little more cautious before I bought in to all the early positive projections and hype. There were plenty of things to be concerned about coming in to the season. The stars had to align for them to be successful. Maybe they will turn it around, but it really doesn't feel that way right now. Tonight is a start toward finding out what our young pitchers have. Hope things work out of the kid.

[a700hitter]

With Rodriguez on the mound at least it gives me something to get excited about. New blood - a change from the norm-try something different. It has been so damn sad watching them. Either too young or too old or too whatever. Sholuld have been a little more cautious before I bought in to all the early positive projections and hype. There were plenty of things to be concerned about coming in to the season. The stars had to align for them to be successful. Maybe they will turn it around, but it really doesn't feel that way right now. Tonight is a start toward finding out what our young pitchers have. Hope things work out of the kid.

I am also excited about seeing this kid.

[a700hitter]

Sorry, that was just a joke.

Oh, LOL! I thought that there was some breaking news.

[Kimmi]

Those are good numbers!!!!!

 

No wonder the Sox hit so many HR and score so many runs!!!!

 

Because I like you, I am going to withhold my snarky response.

[Kimmi]

Are there team rankings for this? That would be the telling stat, not individual stats.

 

I do not have team rankings.

 

I posted the individual rankings mostly in response to a couple of posts regarding Ortiz. Maybe his bat speed has slowed down some, but his batted ball velocity has still been good. His K rate is about the same as it was last year, and his line drive rate is up 4% over last year. He BABIP is a very low .227. The fact that he is not hitting better is an ........ wait for it..........enigma.

[cp176]

I am also excited about seeing this kid.

 

I'm not surprised that the kid was good last night. A little surprised at how good maybe but he has had the tools from the beginning. He looks bigger, and stronger comparatively to most of the guys we currently have. He looks like he his built for the long haul. The rumor mill yesterday said that he was up for just one start possibly. That would be a joke. I enjoyed last nights game immensely. I remember Clemens in '85 and thinking that it was amazing that we finally had a real pitcher on the mound. Everybody has been screaming about the need for a pitching upgrade. Rodriguez will have his ups and downs for sure but he certainly looked to me like a potential power arm last night. Coming into spring training, many thought that he was third or fourth on our list of potential young pitchers. Maybe it was because he is the youngest. I don't know but he has been the best of the bunch since the first pitch this spring. I like his pace - I like how he and Swihart work together- I want to see more.

[sk7326]

I think he will be around for good in the next month - have some patience. I think they want to make sure he doesn't inconveniently run into any innings caps. Remember that entering the season nobody actually thought Rodriguez would be in the show this quickly. It does show that kids make jumps all the time.

[SoxnCycles]

I think he will be around for good in the next month - have some patience. I think they want to make sure he doesn't inconveniently run into any innings caps. Remember that entering the season nobody actually thought Rodriguez would be in the show this quickly. It does show that kids make jumps all the time.

 

Yup, the most innings he's ever pitched was 145 in 2013.

Last year he only pitched 120.

 

The Sox might push it to 180, but I'd be surprised if it's anything past 150.

[sk7326]

Yup, the most innings he's ever pitched was 145 in 2013.

Last year he only pitched 120.

 

The Sox might push it to 180, but I'd be surprised if it's anything past 150.

 

My guess is the 160 ballpark. If he approaches it and the team stinks, he'll get shut down. If the team is in contention, he might get moved to a "Playoff Lincecum" position in the bullpen.

[SoxnCycles]

My guess is the 160 ballpark. If he approaches it and the team stinks, he'll get shut down. If the team is in contention, he might get moved to a "Playoff Lincecum" position in the bullpen.

 

Yup, if the Sox are in the mix and he's still showing the command he did last night, they'll find a way to use him.

 

I just don't want to see the kid abused for the sake of trying to keep the team in contention, or to provide the fans "something exciting to watch".

[GomesBeard]

Between the minors and last night, he has about 55 already, so figuring 7 innings per start, he has about 14 starts to get him to 150-ish innings. So if he stays up, he'd be done by mid-August if they stay with 5 starters. I'd rather have all of those at the MLB level, since I assume they'd shut him down regardless of whether he pitched 150 in MiLB or MLB....

[SoxnCycles]

Between the minors and last night, he has about 55 already, so figuring 7 innings per start, he has about 14 starts to get him to 150-ish innings. So if he stays up, he'd be done by mid-August if they stay with 5 starters. I'd rather have all of those at the MLB level, since I assume they'd shut him down regardless of whether he pitched 150 in MiLB or MLB....

 

That's true.

 

But if, at the end of August, the Sox are three games out of first, with no shot at a WC spot, how much pressure will there be on the club to keep running Rodriguez out there?

 

I'd much rather have him pace himself until the end of the year.

If the Sox need a little extra help to get in the post season, he's available.

 

Again, no team is running away with the division. The Sox can afford to get a clearer picture of what Kelly can do and to be cautious with Rodriguez.

[GomesBeard]

But the only way to 'pace' him is to sit him, which doesn't make much sense. He either has to pitch in AAA or MLB, so why not use him in MLB as long as we can.

[SoxnCycles]

But the only way to 'pace' him is to sit him, which doesn't make much sense. He either has to pitch in AAA or MLB, so why not use him in MLB as long as we can.

 

Yes, and they can sit him much easier in AAA.

 

It's easier to skip a few starts in AAA, than it is in a major league rotation.

[cp176]

I think he will be around for good in the next month - have some patience. I think they want to make sure he doesn't inconveniently run into any innings caps. Remember that entering the season nobody actually thought Rodriguez would be in the show this quickly. It does show that kids make jumps all the time.

 

I think that we should be patient with our young pitching prospects but if they are capable I think that they should be using up their innings with the big club. Maybe most thought that this year would be too soon for him but most of the people who offered reports about him had his upside being better than the rest as well. He is a strong looking kid who deserves the opportunity to show what he has in Boston. Personally I like the fact that he has the solid upper body. Power pitcher with a big frame.

[Spudboy]

It was great to see a Sox young pitcher not crap all over himself. Certainly the highlight of a dismal season so far.

 

Let's not forget that his arrival was not exactly by design. It appears that it was more out of necessity.

[a700hitter]

It was great to see a Sox young pitcher not crap all over himself. Certainly the highlight of a dismal season so far.

 

Let's not forget that his arrival was not exactly by design. It appears that it was more out of necessity.

Definitely this move was compelled by the failure of the 5 starters that started the season. If our starting pitching is to get better, it will be due to an infusion of new blood from the minors or through a trade. The 5 guys that started the season were not going to improve enough to make us competitive. Hopefully, Masterson and Kelly don't make any more starts other than an occasional spot start.

[cp176]

It was great to see a Sox young pitcher not crap all over himself. Certainly the highlight of a dismal season so far.

 

Let's not forget that his arrival was not exactly by design. It appears that it was more out of necessity.

 

I absolutely agree with you. The only problem I am having is thinking that the this kid should have been given a chance earlier. With what the primary prospects have been doing in Pawtucket, I would not be giving too long a leash to Kelly. Miley, Bucchotz, and Porcello I get - not Kelly, certainly not Masterson.

[Kimmi]

That's true.

 

But if, at the end of August, the Sox are three games out of first, with no shot at a WC spot, how much pressure will there be on the club to keep running Rodriguez out there?

 

I'd much rather have him pace himself until the end of the year.

If the Sox need a little extra help to get in the post season, he's available.

 

Again, no team is running away with the division. The Sox can afford to get a clearer picture of what Kelly can do and to be cautious with Rodriguez.

 

I think the Sox need to keep Kelly in the rotation for at least a couple more starts and get a clearer picture of what he can do. Rodriquez definitely earned himself at least another start. I can see the Sox sticking with a 6 man rotation for a couple of turns through the rotation. That will allow them to get another look at both guys, and help a little with Rodriquez' pitch count.

[Kimmi]

Rodriquez was a breath of fresh air last night. Fun to watch.

 

Let's keep in mind, though, that it has only been one start. While we all hope and think that he will continue to pitch well, we shouldn't overreact to one start.

[GomesBeard]

And as I noted in another thread, the league will adjust to him now that they have some tape, so he will need to adjust back - often the sticking point for young pitchers. But I certainly liked what I saw a lot, although I don't think his fastball is consistently mid-90's - I think he can touch mid-90's but think he relies more on location with it than pure power.

[cp176]

It was just one start. You are right about that but based on what he has done since the Sox acquired him compared to Masterson and Kelly personally(certainly just my opinion), I would take my chances with the kid. I think like most that he has great potential. I get the fact that no one wants to rush him. I just don't want him to waste starts in Pawtucket. No leash for Masterson-short leash for Kelly. Rodriguez stays, Johnson or Owens get the next look if Kelly can't get it done. I would get Barnes out of the bullpen at some point as well.