Since minor league games get started today and we do not have any actual performances to look at, let’s continue with some of the surprise early assignments. One such assignment is Michael Blazek as a starting pitcher in Springfield. Let’s take a look at him after the jump.
Blazek spent most of last season in Quad Cities as part of a piggyback starting strategy with 32 appearances, but only 11 starts. Blazek would either be the 1st or 2nd starter in that situation and was still functioning as a starter.
First and foremost, he had a great year in 2010 in Quad Cities. He averaged more than a 9 Ks per 9 innings while allowing less than 3 walks per 9 innings. His 2.71 ERA was not an illusion as his FIP was 2.83.
In previous years, he has not had the ERA to match 2010, but he has always been able to get around 9 Ks/9 innings and around 3 walks / 9 innings at all levels. As long as he continues those numbers, he should have success.
Two things we can put together here. First and foremost, the Cardinals have 3 starters on the DL in Springfield in Scott Gorgen, David Kopp and Scott McGregor. With a bunch of young high upside arms starting in Palm Beach, Blazek is more of a veteran (even at 22) and potentially able to adjust to the promotion to Springfield even if it for a short time at the start of the season.
Additionally, the more I look at him, the more intriguing Blazek looks with his ability to miss bats.
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So what kind of stuff does he have? Does he miss bats by blowing the ball by them, or by being craftier than the average low-A-level hitter? One answer is more projectable than the other.
Even the QC manager in an interview last year did not seem overly enthusiastic about Blazek. I dont remember his exact words but implied his stuff left him with less margin for error than some of the other starters on the team.
I’m just hoping for one 2-3 strong candidates to emerge this year from Kopp, Thomas, McGregor, Additon, Schneider, Hooker, and Blazek. If just one of those guys can become a solid 4/5 starter with the guys ahead of them and behind them we would probably have some excess pitching to trade.
I have much higher hopes for Hooker than you do apparently. I see him as a rock solid #3 and maybe a #2 if all goes well. I like him quite a bit.
With that FIP and K/9 over 9, I gotta think it’s more than illusory.
Actually vary similar K:BB ratios as Additon and Walters. Seems to keep the ball on the ground and in the park better than Additon but not as well as Walters.
The difference between a pitcher like Hooker and pitchers like Additon and Walters, is the fact that Hooker has at least an average major league fastball in his repertoire.
PJ failed to keep em in the park last night.
Hmmm… did I miss something? As best I can tell PJ gave up no HR’s last night.
Other than a vague recollection that I read something somewhere praising Blazek’s stuff a couple years ago I know nothing about what he has in his repertoire. I have been intrigued, though, by his consistent K rate over his career and his age relative to the level he’s pitched in. Since we haven’t heard much excitement about him I assume he’s more finesse than power but I think it’s really interesting that he’s been bumped up to AA. Even if he does well he may just be the new Trey Hearne but Ihave a feeling he’ll prove himself to be more than that.
Blazek had the lowest batting average against in the Midwest League last year.