We have a really rough time with pitchers like Byrd. Changes speed a lot and locates all over around the 'zone. McCarthy did it on Labor day. Rodrigo Lopez pitches the same way and gives us fits (usually, not last week). If a team in the East had 3 righties that locate and 2 lefties (with 3 of the 5 being rookies) we'd go 0-19 against them.
Holy crap to we struggle with these type of pitchers. Fella's, these type of guys aren't going to walk you, you've got to move the lumber and hit it where they ain't.
Also, I don't mean anything malicious by it. But it does ring true to me, and it makes me laugh when I think about it. Same thing with the Shrek thing. Both nicknames have a degree of credibility because of the similarity of their looks to the names. Besides, only the players that hurt a team most get this type of treatment. Nobody is calling Flaherty or Mirabelli anything other than their names.
It wouldn't bother me, but others may take serious issue. Remember where you are. I wouldn't call Mo the Fruit Bat on a Yankee board out of respect, but I'm not on one. If you don't want to hear bad things about the team we all hate most, then why are you here?
I'd be very surprised if he isn't starting the year in Pawtuckett. If he starts off well there, we might see him mid-summerish for a spot start or just some big league experience.
Jon was the Game-1 starter for Portland in the first round of the Eastern League Playoffs. He got a no decision in Portland's 5-3 win over Trenton.
7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K