Comments on: Can the farm produce a 5th starter in 2009?

By: Red in Chicago

Red in Chicago — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:21:43 +0000

What’s the two-year outlook on Lance Lynn?

By: azruavatar

azruavatar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:11:53 +0000

2009.

I like Mortensen the best in the long term as a starter but he’s got some command issues to iron out and, as with most minor leaguers, needs to improve the consistency of his secondary stuff.

I think Boggs is the most likely to have a lengthy MLB career but as a reliever.

By: arch support

arch support — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:39:28 +0000

AZ,

The odds you’re citing: are these the chances the pitcher has of being an effective ML starter in 2009 or throughout their career?

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:37:22 +0000

I agree with Driver *and* Bill. I’d say, based upon Todd flying through the system phenomtastically in ’08, and P.J. striking out a batter an inning in AAA, they’re both better bets than Mitch Boggs to pitch well in the Bigs next year–but will they get an honest chance in Spring Training to beat out Boggs for the 5th starter spot, if Carp is unready to join the rotation?

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:31:59 +0000

I think you’re too optimistic, Driver. There has never, in the 40+ years that I’ve been paying attention, been a pitcher that I enjoyed watching more than John Tudor in 1985; his changeup was a thing of absolute beauty, and you’re right, his control was astounding — as Gary Huckabay put it, “84 mph through the hole in a Lifesaver.” But no small part of that was that he was left handed. These guys aren’t. And Tooks wasn’t successful for very long.

Of these five, I personally see Todd as most likely to succeed. What more growth is Boggs likely to achieve that will make him a significantly better major-league pitcher than he was during his trial by ordeal in 2008? There’s a lot more room for growth in Todd, short squat guy or not. BTW, I propose the nickname “Tank” for Todd; he’s proportioned much like a guy I played fast-pitch softball with many years ago who bore that nickname, and had a heater that I’m sure glad I was playing defense behind, rather than trying to hit. He LOOKED like a tank.

By: DriverZn

DriverZn — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:41:17 +0000

I think we are selling PJ a little short. He and Boggs to me are the two most likely choices to start next year if we need a #5 from the minors. Perhaps I spent too much time watching Tewks and Tudor pitch but to me its clear that you can do pretty well with average or below stuff if you have great control.

IMO: The ability to change speeds is often underrated vs the ability to throw hard.

By: cariocacardinal

cariocacardinal — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:33:04 +0000

The fast movement of players will slow tremendously this year as there is no where left for them to go. Other than a few relievers nobody is moving up to the big club so most guys are frozen in place and there are almost no minor league FA’s to replace. In fact, with guys coming back from injury we will have basically no movement from the end of last except for relief pitchers and a few starters at PB and Springfield.

Both Mo and Luhnow are facing their toughest tests as they try to figure out who to keep, who to let go, and who to trade as the system is now log jammed. By my calculations we have about 10 position players too many from QC to Memphis and almost 20 pitchers more than open spots.

By: VolsnCards5

VolsnCards5 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:13:54 +0000

I think Mo needs to consider trading an OF and maybe freese for a starter…I have been stumping for jonathan sanchez…though not sure how much it takes to get him

that is one way the farm system could produce a ML starter