Comments on: Dearth of Relief Pitching in Cardinals System

By: Gruntosaurus

Gruntosaurus — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:06:43 +0000

Consistent with what we saw in ABQ, or at least the lower end of your range is. 91 isn’t particularly exciting. 93 is more so, but I don’t think he ever got there in the game we saw. It was just one game.

Truthfully, he looked better than I expected him to, although he did wild-pitch home one of the guys that King had walked. That was quite a fiasco: King faced three batters to start an inning, walked two and hit one.

By: pitch and hit

pitch and hit — Tue, 24 May 2011 19:53:57 +0000

Fick is up to 91-93 since last season.
His dad is Charles Fick (Chuck), longtime scout for the organization.

By: Gruntosaurus

Gruntosaurus — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:58:10 +0000

Dear Grant,

Think Wainwright.

Sincerely,
Mo’s henchman (not)

By: Indiana Cardinal

Indiana Cardinal — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:32:43 +0000

Thanks.

By: Mrs. TLR

Mrs. TLR — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:13:38 +0000

Boggs, Ottavino, Cleto, Swagerty, Kelly, Samuel, Blair, Butler, etc., etc.

By: JC

JC — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:09:47 +0000

That’s the key – on draft day it was known that he was a high risk/high reward guy. Injury concerns turned many teams off. So hopefully he can get it in gear this year for us.

By: Gruntosaurus

Gruntosaurus — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:20:08 +0000

McReliever. 25 years old, big tall guy, skinny as a rail, doesn’t throw especially hard but not a complete soft-tosser either, has been decent but not great in Memphis, walks too many. There are a zillion like him in the minor leagues. He’s better than most, probably, but still quite generic.

When I saw him in Albuquerque (disclaimer: first time I ever saw him in person, and I’m not a scout), he looked a lot better than Valdes, King, etc., which is kinda damning with faint praise. There are a lot of moving parts and it may be difficult to refine his delivery to where he doesn’t walk 5+ guys per 9 as he does now. Even though they are of very different body types, I was reminded of Kelvin Jimenez for some reason.

By: Indiana Cardinal

Indiana Cardinal — Tue, 24 May 2011 11:45:26 +0000

Another question, does Chuckie Fick have any possibilities? What does he throw? He has done fairly well and is only one step away. Just asking?

By: Felonius_Monk

Felonius_Monk — Tue, 24 May 2011 11:08:27 +0000

Definitely agree. Weak fastball + stuff that gets figured out 2nd or 3rd time thru a MLB rotation = move him to relief IMO. His FB might gain a couple of ticks (with a 92, 93mph heater his changeup would be much more effective) and he’s had enough success in a hitters’ league at AAA to suggest he has a shot at being a big-league setup guy. Can’t be any worse than Batista or Franklin.

By: Felonius_Monk

Felonius_Monk — Tue, 24 May 2011 10:56:33 +0000

Didn’t realise Bittle was still in the system. One of my favourite draft picks of the last few years. Really looking forward to seeing what he can do, if his arm hasn’t dropped off completely!