Mad Bum Neither
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 11:42 AM PDT
140 comments
Got to see Madison Bumgarner's San Jose debut last night. Fabulous seats, and my son and I were two of three -- along with a long-time SJ Giants ticket holder who knew the pitching coach -- to be behind Buster Posey as he received Mad Bum's first warmup long-toss throw and one of perhaps eight or 10 who were beside Mad Bum when he made his first warmup throw off the bullpen mound.
Mad Bum got tremendous results (IIRC only two hits and a hit batsman in six innings with two double plays and a near-third). Only one ball was hit hard, and that was a line out to center fielder Darren (?) Ford. Four strikeouts in the first two innings, so he probably wound up with six or seven.
But I'm still not entirely sure of what to make of him, as he threw 80% or more fastballs. His secondary pitches (curve or slider and change up) seemed OK but not great. His control (no walks) was quite good, and he kept the ball down well and got it up around the letters or even shoulders with two strikes.
He threw in the 90's, but I don't remember his exceeding 94 (maybe a pitch or two at 95). He certainly didn't seem to have the electric stuff Tim Lincecum had there two and a half years ago, but the batters didn't hit it any better. And while Tim had already turned 22 back then, last night Mad Bum was only nine days past 19 1/2.
I'm not sure exactly how Mad Bum did such a great job of getting the Stockton Ports' hitters out, but he did. Mostly with the fastball. One low but over the plate curve ball got driven out of the park, but it was 30 degrees foul and never close to fair territory after it left the bat.
Nice movement away from right-handed hitters with that fastball, and hitters had a hard time laying off the pitch even at the letters and above, but I'm still not sure how he was so dominant.
Would that fastball play in the majors already? Well, apparently Manny Ramirez couldn't hit it (being among Bumgarner's four strikeouts in his three scoreless innings against the Dodgers in spring training). Unless the San Jose gun is three or four mph slow right now or Cal League hitters haven't yet caught up to a fastball above 90, I'm not sure he's doing it.
Facing Madison, all one really needs to do is look for the fastball, but apparently you can't hit it even if you're looking for it. I'm just not sure why. Perhaps it is the combination of speed, movement and very nice control. I guess his control and keeping most pitches down must be the key.
Mad Bum gave up a couple of weak popups on which he almost literally took the bat out of the hitters' hands. And he was able to induce a ground ball on each of the three occasions runners reached base. The third time he didn't achieve the double play only because the ball wasn't hit hard enough.
And he did show off his devastating pickoff move, failing to nail a runner breaking the wrong way only because his throw to Angel Villalona was shoulder high. Even then it was bang-bang.
And Angel immediately became my favorite San Jose Giants player. He looks both powerful and very much like a ball player, and even his hands looked soft to me. Good speed for such a big man, perhaps about the same level as Travis Ishikawa.
I think AnVil (a guy behind me was even calling him that) had three hits, but unlike his massive homer Thursday night, each was a bloop. But AnVil has closed his stance since I saw him on milb.com video last year, and he looks like a hitter (albeit one who can be fooled by the curve ball, even from a southpaw).
AnVil moved up from first to second very nicely on a short wild pitch, showing good instincts. The only thing I didn't like was that on a bloop he hit to right, he jogged to first while watching the ball and didn't begin to hustle until it fell in and skipped away from the fielder. Made it to second easily, though.
The Giants appear to be keeping the pressure off Angel, batting him seventh. Every hitter in their order except Darren Ford at leadoff and Michael Ambort batting eighth appears to have a legitimate shot at making the Giants. And aside from Thomas Neal, batting an extremely strong ninth in the order, each would seem to have a good shot at being a starter.
Foothill High's Brandon Crawford showed adequate speed for a shortstop and hit the night's only home run, just clearing the wall in right center. Ouch, that means it would have resulted in death in AT&T's Death Valley.
Nick Noonan made two errors in the same inning and was picked off first base (although he was safe on a funky throw to second). But he's batting third in a VERY strong batting order.
Buster Posey is batting cleanup, and failed to get the ball out of the infield. Buster drew one walk.
Getting back to Bumgarner, I have watched only the first inning of San Jose's Thursday night opener, but at this point I think Tim Alderson might be slightly closer to the bigs than the younger (by 10 months) Mad Bum. Tim threw three change ups in that first inning -- one for a ball, one for a swing-through and a followup change that was barely foul tipped.
Although Alderson's fastball doesn't compare with Mad Bum's for speed and particularly movement, his curve is of major-league quality. Seeing him for the first time in San Jose's playoff opener last September, I felt he was little more than a confident change up away from being able to pitch in the bigs.
Clearly Mad Bum has the far greater upside of the two, but Timmy Two might be ready a little quicker. Then again, hitters at no level have yet failed to be overpowered by Bumgarner -- apparently even the big league Dodgers ten days ago.
I'm not entirely sure how Mad Bum is so dominating. But the fact remains that he is.
This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.
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Scout?
So apparently you are an expert on pitching prospects? How many years did you play in the majors? Kid dominates in low A, has a good spring and goes lights out in his first start for San Jose but you’re not sure if he really has what it takes? It’s April on a cold night, he’ll be fine. Get over yourself. Gotta love the internet and the complete lack of accountability.
by mikeivie on Apr 11, 2009 12:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You must not read this site very often.
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by Natto on Apr 11, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think your reading comprehension of SharksRog’s post could use some work.
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by jponry on Apr 11, 2009 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude, a) chill, you’re picking a fight with maybe the single most knowledgeable poster on this blog. And b) go to San Jose and watch MadBum pitch and then give us your opinion. I think sharksrog makes some very good points about MadBum’s pitch selection. With rare exceptions, only sinkerballers survive as starters in the bigs by throwing 80% fastballs, so there is legit concern here.
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When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 11, 2009 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s just offering first-hand observations as a fan. What’s so wrong with that?
by Dan from NM on Apr 11, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Funny you should mention accountability. Besides having thousands of posts here, sharksrog has met several posters from this site. So he actually is accountable. Not to be rude, but you probably shouldn’t say he’s not accountable when he has like 6400 more posts than you. Anyway, he didn’t say he’s not good – he just made some observations and wondered how much bumgarner would have to adjust later on, which is a very real concern.
Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
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by raisingcain on Apr 11, 2009 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This. I gleaned more about mechanics and velocity (granted, it was all about Lincecum) than I ever have talking with sharksrog over dinner.
I don’t share his meh view of Bumgarner, but I haven’t seen him throw all that much either. The few innings he threw in ST this year weren’t enough for me to make a fair assessment.
"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Apr 11, 2009 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the big thing here that sharksrog is picking up is that Bumgarner still doesn’t have a secondary pitch that he trusts. It’s not that he’s a meh prospect. I mean, it still looks like he has a plus-plus fastball with velocity, command and movement. It’s just that the fastball isn’t going to be enough (in all likelihood) for Maddy to be a top-of-the-rotation starter, but he could still be a dominant reliever. But if the kid can develop a big league-average off-speed pitch? Woof.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 11, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he mastered the change up, he would then be more deadly.
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by SoFa King Mike on Apr 11, 2009 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would just be unfair.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 11, 2009 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes. But it’d be fun to watch.
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by SoFa King Mike on Apr 11, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Science.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 11, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am such a sucker for a good fastball/change-up combo
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Apr 11, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me too. Jason Schmidt. Noah, when he first came up. A good change-up is devastating.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 11, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Break your ankles swinging type of change up is the best.
Adopted groomer for Mark Gardner's Mullet / Adopted brother of the AnVil
by SoFa King Mike on Apr 11, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
EVERY pitcher should learn to throw a change
by wilriv21 on Apr 11, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tim upped the ante when he started perfecting his change and less on his curve.
Adopted groomer for Mark Gardner's Mullet / Adopted brother of the AnVil
by SoFa King Mike on Apr 11, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the backup
First of all, thanks very much to everyone here for the strong backup and for your good understanding of my post.
I’m definitely not a scout and I’m truly excited about Mad Bum (who shares a birthday with my son and who turned only 19 the night this group was at McCovey’s). When I saw him a year ago on milb.com, I was impressed with his secondary pitches, which I felt needed a lot of work but were better than I had read. Last night I was slightly disappointed with the progress he had made with the secondaries, but moreso that the Giants didn’t have him throwing them more often.
I realize the idea is to win the game, but more important than anything else is to develop the players, particularly the top prospects. I would like to have seen Buster call for more secondary pitches from Mad Bum, who seemed to just overpower the Ports with his fastball.
Believe it or not, Matt Cain gets more swing-throughs with his fastball than Tim Lincecum does, even though Matt’s heater is two mph slower than Tim’s. It appears to me that Mad Bum will easily get more swing-throughs on the fastball than either Tim or Matt, who obviously both have very good heaters.
I do wonder if Madison will be able to throw the heater past as many hitters at a higher level, and keep in mind that he struck out only one batter after the second inning. But there was no doubt that Mad Bum was in control, in more ways than one.
The two hits off Bumgarner weren’t hit well, and the only hard-hit ball anywhere near fair territory was a line drive easily caught in center field by Darren Ford, who could actually be a very nice player if he could ever learn to hit. Ford, who came over with Steve Hammond in the Ray Durham trade, is trying by switching from a right-handed hitter to a switch hitter this season.
Darren tried to bunt for a hit (from the right side), and the third baseman threw him out only because he was playing in so close. Darren flat-out flies. Give him wings, and it might almost literally be the case.
I remember watching the SJ Giants play during the 1994 lockout and was very surprised at how many players they had who looked as if they could play in the majors. I believe eight of them went on to do so. This year’s crop in SJ equals that squad in quantity of possible major leaguers and FAR surpasses them in quantity.
The Giants have seven of their top nine prospects (as rated by BA) in San Jose, including the top five. Mad Bum, Posey and AnVil have superstar potential.
Next Thursday Mad Bum is scheduled to pitch (six man rotation), and the game will be on channel 104.
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I realize the idea is to win the game, but more important than anything else is to develop the players, particularly the top prospects. I would like to have seen Buster call for more secondary pitches from Mad Bum, who seemed to just overpower the Ports with his fastball.
This being his first start of the year, I don’t think I would worry too much. If this continues to be the case after a couple starts into the season, then it’s time to get concerned.
That’s just me, though.
by kaliber on Apr 11, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So if Mad Bum does continue to dominate the Cal league with just a fast ball, do you call him up where the league will better handle his fastball and force him to through to more offspeed stuff, or do you leave him in A ball and just have him work in more offspeed stuff?
We're all basically Pedro Feliz.
by SF Pete on Apr 11, 2009 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Moving on up to the East side
Baseball Prospectus yesterday had an article on 10 minor leaguers placed at unusual levels. The first guy on their list was Tim Alderson, who despite being the best pitcher in the California League last year (and I realize Kevin Pucetas was actually selected the league’s pitcher of the year) is returning to San Jose.
As the article mentioned, Timmy Two is there only because the spring weather in Connecticut tends to be quite cold in April. It also mentioned that if we want to see Tim, Madison Bumgarner or Buster Posey, we should so early in the season, since all three will likely be moved up to Connecticut as the weather warms (or at least soon thereafter).
I didn’t know the San Jose opener would be on TV, but I picked Friday night because the Sharks weren’t playing and because I figured it would be the San Jose debut of Mad Bum (not necessarily in that order).
I have to believe that as they are presently constituted, the San Jose Giants must be one of the best teams in California League history. They are presently using a six-man rotation, so I’m guessing that when Alderson and Bumgarner move up to Connecticut, maybe one of the Connecticut starters will move down, filling out a five-man rotation for San Jose.
And with former San Jose manager and former SF Giants catcher Steve Decker having been moved up from San Jose to Connecticut, surely Posey — whose development will probably come more with game calling and other fine points of catching than with the bat — will soon be moving on up as well.
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Posey
what becomes of Jackson Williams if Gerald Posey is promoted to AA?
by wilriv21 on Apr 11, 2009 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
if he stays in Connecticut, he’d be the backup. Whatever one thinks of Williams, Buster is the org’s #1 catcher prospect and takes priority re playing time at the position. I don’t think this would be as likely as him heading back down to SJ, especially if Williams struggles in AA.
Then again, Williams could conceivably move up to Fresno and take Holm’s spot once he gets to be the big league backup again, particularly if Williams shows that he can handle AA. This possibility increases if Williams handles AA well enough to warrant the promotion.
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by nostocksjustbonds on Apr 11, 2009 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Witter is being wasted in AA, too. One of he or Williams moves up – I’d bet Witter goes to AAA first.
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Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Apr 13, 2009 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps this entire move will take place at once, with Holm going up to the ML, Witter going up to AAA, Posey going up to AA…
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by WalrusMan on Apr 14, 2009 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another question about Posey...
Thanks for your post and subsequent comments, sharksrog. About Posey and the game calling…
Has Buster caught many pitchers with Bumgarner’s velocity before? Could that be another factor in determining the gamer plan for this outing?
by Sabertooth on Apr 12, 2009 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Considering how much of a pitcher's park Dodd is
I don’t think there should be a huge concern about Bumgarner getting exposed in AA (if, indeed, AA hitters find his fastball easier to handle).
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by Bhaakon on Apr 11, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point
Good point about its being Mad Bum’s first start. The weather was a tiny bit Candlestickian, as well, so perhaps the Giants will wait for another day to work on Mad Bum’s secondary pitches. He threw quite a few of them during his pre-game warmup.
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
uh oh
serious viewing listening choice next Thurs… Giants vs. Bums, or Giants’ Bum vs. Ports?
I chose Giants/Padres last night, instead of Giants/Ports… and I was so, so wrong.
Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."
by natteringnabob on Apr 11, 2009 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks
Thanks Rog for the first-hand report on MadBum. Your comments and insight are appreciated. When the Little Giants come to Visalia in mid-May I hope to catch MadBum on the mound. This is a very exciting minor league team, isn’t it. :)
by APGiantsFan on Apr 12, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thinking
I’m thinking that with the Giants having one of the top minor league systems now and all five of their top prospects according to Baseball America playing in San Jose (along with #7 and #9), the San Jose Giants might be one of the best teams for their level in a long time.
I suspect Alderson, Bumgarner and Posey won’t remain for the full season, but as of now there are potential SF starters at more positions than not.
by sharksrog on Apr 12, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, gotta love the internet for its complete lack of accountability.
For example, you are benefitting from that lack of accountability right now.
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by Mayor of 311 on Apr 11, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Since I have to assume you never played in the majors either, your opinion on the value of sharkrog’s opinion is worthless.
Try again!
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by groug on Apr 11, 2009 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
HOW MANY YEARS DID YOU PLAY IN THE MAJORS YOU DON"T KNOW YOU DON"T KNOW NOTHING!
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 11, 2009 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is like my post with a jokier tone and more capital letters.
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by groug on Apr 11, 2009 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The capital letters make it legitimate
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by CB30 on Apr 11, 2009 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ALWAYS
I was THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME (for 3 days in 1995).
by Mike Benjamin Hit King on Apr 11, 2009 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But I’ll still take you home.
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I hope.
by Cookyman on Apr 12, 2009 4:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Come on, back yourself up hombre. Don’t let these guys take you down like this!!
by i wish we were good on Apr 11, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the deal...
We all know Sharksrog for his detailed posts that analyze players and their numbers, especially the young pitchers.
None of us had ever heard of you. Now we all know you for this post. Either you were trying to be clever and failed miserably…or you just aren’t very clever.
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by Goofus on Apr 11, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, that guy who posted first in this thread sure did offend us. Let’s keep talking about that, hours later.
Honestly, McCC is great, some of the brightest, most articulate posters on the topic of baseball on the net. But ya’ll need to lighten up a little bit and learn to ignore or educate (without insulting) folks who don’t quite get it yet. It’s a community-driven blog, and being elitist and exclusionary is dumb.
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by Gaahl on Apr 11, 2009 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that’s more just a product of there being a shitload of people who comment regularly around here than us actually trying to pile on in any kind of elitist or exclusionary way. That, and I wanted to be funny.
But really, if we came out in force, this thread would be like 600 comments long.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 11, 2009 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I feel that your comments about being insulting, elitist, and exclusionary apply to the first poster as well. “How many years did you play in the majors?” “Get over yourself.” Even if sharksrog wasn’t a regular, informative poster, that tone (unless it was not intended that way) doesn’t really foster a community atmosphere. Granted, I have seen the fanposts from posters who “don’t get it” yet, and the replies aren’t exactly polite, but even if sharksrog was not a regular this fanpost would not fall into that category.
by Frank144 on Apr 12, 2009 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This
I personally piled on because he came in here with a dickish attitude, not because he didn’t “get it”.
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by Goofus on Apr 12, 2009 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Indeed
It’s the dickishness.
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by Johnny Disaster on Apr 12, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most dickishnessest?
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by Goofus on Apr 12, 2009 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s a community-driven blog
Yes. And a tight-knit one at that. So when one of the most respected regulars gets put down, we aren’t going to like it.
Granted, I think we do come off a little elitist at times. The regulars here definitely have a superior attitude at times. But, it really is directed at things that deserve it, usually.
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by thehavenot on Apr 12, 2009 1:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And it's people like this who probably drive that superior attitude.
I try not to be judging right away with a new member, but your first impression lasts a long time.
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"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Kevin Frandsen should be with the big team.
by WalrusMan on Apr 14, 2009 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ONLY FORMER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS LIKE MIKE IVIE ARE QUALIFIED TO OFFER WORTHWHILE ANALYSIS AND OPINIONS ON THE INTERWEBZ OR ANYWHERE ELSE, ABOUT BASEBALL, PITCHING, HUNTING KNIVES OR ETC…. !!
Why couldn't McCovey have hit the ball just three feet higher??
by tobias on Apr 12, 2009 6:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just wanted to see if could make this the most replied to comment.
Randy Winn is going to catch that. And he'll do it real classy-like too.
by oldjacket on Apr 12, 2009 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree!
Who are you to be posting this shark rod? THIS IS THE mad bum WE’RE TALKING ABOUT!
The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Kevin Frandsen should be with the big team.
by WalrusMan on Apr 14, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m going to the game Wednesday. I’m wondering if we’ll get teh Mad Bum. I saw him throw a few innings in ST and there was no speed gun on.
"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Apr 11, 2009 12:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m guessing he has that je ne sais deception that Jonathan Sanchez also has. I have no idea how Sanchez is one of the best pitchers in the bigs at missing bats, but he is, and that’s without a consistent breaking ball.
by Grant on Apr 11, 2009 12:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think they both have a very deceptive lazy-looking delivery. Both Dirty and Madbum look like they’re lobbing the ball back to get a new ball frm the ump. When it comes in at low 90s, it looks explosive.
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by Goofus on Apr 11, 2009 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sanchez, last night
Innings 1-4: “je ne sais” deception.
Inning 5: Just “je ne sais”.
Why couldn't McCovey have hit the ball just three feet higher??
by tobias on Apr 12, 2009 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
the kid has been dealio in 2009 and we are nitpicking? C’mon if he is not throwing 95 fine but what are his results? Spring training is just spring training but that should at least give us a clue about the kid.
If he is not mixing up his pitches why not call out Buster Posey?
Then he goes lights out in his Hi A debut and people are asking for more Ks and velocity. Keep pitching just as you have kid because you have proven in ST that ML players still need to figure you out.
Those in the south bay better rush to see this kid because he soon will be seeing submarines in the great northeast.
by wilriv21 on Apr 11, 2009 12:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Nobody’s asking for anything. Just pointing out facts. Bumgarner might not have many weaknesses, but he does have a few. If you want to ignore them because you’re pleased that he’s doing well, that’s fine, but it’s not a smart way to evaluate players, run a team, or even play the game. Great players always try to find ways to improve, and that can’t be done without first realizing where you need to improve.
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I hope.
by Cookyman on Apr 11, 2009 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was Bumgarner shaking off Posey? Why not call out Posey for his game calling skills? Your catcher keeps putting down “1” and so the pitcher keeps retiring hitters.
by wilriv21 on Apr 11, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d bet that Posey wasn’t even calling the game, that it was the pitching coach. And yes, Bumgarner has a dominant fastball. Big league hitters can hit fastballs, even if high-A hitters can’t.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 11, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Posey is not calling the game then get him another glove. That is why he is in the minors. To hone his catching and game calling skills.
by wilriv21 on Apr 11, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good idea
Let’s dismiss him after the second game of the season.
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by Natto on Apr 11, 2009 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but how do you learn how to call a game? Just stick your hand between your legs? No, you have a coach teach you about pitch sequences, and that’s usually a pitching coach and it starts by having the pitching coach call the game. Hell, Curt Schilling said that Jason Varitek was the first catcher in Curt’s entire professional career that called the game for him (instead of Curt or the pitching coach). I do think Buster should be learning, but it’s a process that needs to be regulated.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 11, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not trying to suggest that Posey doesn’t need to work on his game-calling. I think it’s highly important if he’s going to be the player we want him to be.
At this point, though, I’m not going to blame him for the fact that Bumgarner threw a lot of fastballs as Buster isn’t a polished game-caller and it’s a well-known fact in scouting circles (just check out BA’s analysis of Maddy) that Bumgarner doesn’t have a good secondary pitch. I don’t think it’s cause for alarm, but it’s something that Maddy and his coaches (and catchers) should be working on and something that should be followed going forward.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 11, 2009 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Posey Pitch Path
It appeared to me that Buster was calling the pitches for Mad Bum last night.
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting. That’s a good sign that he was sticking with what was working, but I do wonder how much control the pitching coach had over the game-plan, inning to inning.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 11, 2009 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We don’t care about the game calling (or at least I don’t). The point is that the fact that Bumgarner doesn’t throw many off-speed pitches suggests that he and/or whoever calles his games do not trust his off-speed pitches. If that’s true, then Bumgarner needs to work on improving those pitches, because no matter how good his fastball is, he’s going to need more than that to be a dominant major league pitcher.
Adoptive parent of Noah Lowry. Because he was awesome once, and, goddammit, he shall be awesome once again!
I hope.
by Cookyman on Apr 11, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Listenng to the game Bumgarner did not shake-off or cross-up the catcher. If 80% of pitches were FB then either blame the catcher for continually putting down the “1” sign or the team for coming up with that game plan. Not Bumgarner.
by wilriv21 on Apr 11, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We don’t care about the game calling (or at least I don’t). The point is that the fact that Bumgarner doesn’t throw many off-speed pitches suggests that he and/or whoever calls his games do not trust his off-speed pitches. If that’s true, then Bumgarner needs to work on improving those pitches, because no matter how good his fastball is, he’s going to need more than that to be a dominant major league pitcher.
Adoptive parent of Noah Lowry. Because he was awesome once, and, goddammit, he shall be awesome once again!
I hope.
by Cookyman on Apr 11, 2009 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
In other words
If 80% of pitches were FB then either blame the catcher for continually putting down the "1" sign or the team for coming up with that game plan.
I want MadBum to do well in the majors. In order to do that, I think that he’ll have to throw a higher percentage of off-speed pitches than he does now. Now, if his off-speed pitches are good enough to be thrown at least ~30% of the time, and he just doesn’t throw them that often because of the catcher’s game calling or the team’s game plan, then yeah, it’s nothing to worry about, and the team is to “blame”.
But, if we assume for a second that the these guys know what they’re doing, then that means they have a good reason for not having MadBum throw too many off-speed pitches. That, in my opinion, most likely means that the team and/or Bumgarner don’t think that his off-speeds are good enough, which means that he’s going to have to improve those pitches in order to one day be a good MLB pitcher.
Adoptive parent of Noah Lowry. Because he was awesome once, and, goddammit, he shall be awesome once again!
I hope.
by Cookyman on Apr 11, 2009 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
where/when does he improve these pitches?
by wilriv21 on Apr 11, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
In minor league baseball games. I’m not sure I understand the question.
Adoptive parent of Noah Lowry. Because he was awesome once, and, goddammit, he shall be awesome once again!
I hope.
by Cookyman on Apr 11, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
In space, Tomorrow
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Apr 11, 2009 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
practice
practice practice.
Mischievously implosive purple pitching staff.
by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Apr 12, 2009 2:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We want him making it to AT&T, not Carnegie Hall!
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Apr 12, 2009 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anthony Michael Hall?
NL West TempestTeapot
Nothing matters , and what if it did?
by victor frankenstein on Apr 13, 2009 1:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Both -- and the pitching coach
If Mad Bum threw too many fastballs last night, I would blame him (since he has last say), Buster and the pitching coach, who could have asked Buster between innings or even before the game to call for more secondary pitches.
Hard to argue with the fine results. I just felt that Mad Bum had near-complete control of the game with his fastball and had little to prove with the pitch. His secondary pitches, on the other hand, are merely so-so at this time and could definitely use more work.
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if his across-the-body delivery adds to the deception that makes his fastball so hard to hit.
by Dan from NM on Apr 11, 2009 12:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Movement
Mad Bum’s low three quarter delivery certainly adds to the ball’s horizontal movement, which may indeed add to the deception. Also, since the low delivery would usually result in less sink, it might help to explain why some Ports batters went well above the strike zone. (Almost Pablo Sandoval-like :)
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Having never seen him pitch, I would have to assume that he has stellar movement on his two seamer. Honestly, anyone can hit a straight fastball no matter how hard it is thrown. So is it safe to assume that he pounds hard on the hands of lefties and gets the righties to chase as the ball tails away? In his pitch sequence for location was he moving from in-away-in-away-etc… or was he relentless in throwing specific batters in and specific batters away?
Giant Dirtbags: Brian Anderson, Todd Jennings, Steve Hammond, John Bowker
Wronghanded Affeldt doing it right
by Giant among Angels on Apr 12, 2009 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Moving in and out
Mad Bum was moving his pitches in and out — but even with very good control, no pitcher hits the target every time. What I liked best was that Madison usually kept the ball down — and also was able to get batters to chase the high fastball on occasion.
by sharksrog on Apr 12, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
At age 20, Lincecum had a BB/9 of 6.6 in the PAC-10.
A better comp would probably be Cain, who at age 19 had a ridiculous 72 innings in San Jose before getting promoted to AA. I’d be fine if MadBum followed Cain’s development path.
by mxmob33 on Apr 11, 2009 12:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but
Cain has no swing through stuff
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Apr 11, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cain has no win through stuff.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 11, 2009 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Win-through
Matt has no win-through hitting support. Notice how he did Wednesday night when he got good support? Just pitched easily the best game by any Giants starter thus far, that’s all.
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh I completely agree.
Believe me, I love Matt Cain at least half as much as you love Tim Lincecum.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 11, 2009 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I LOVE HIM MORE.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Apr 11, 2009 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
BITCH HE’S MINE!
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 11, 2009 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw him first
…in high school.
Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005. And winner of the 2012 NL Fireman of the Year Award!
by Lyle on Apr 12, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maddy is much more like Timmy, in terms of arsenal.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 11, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maddy
Considering that Greg Maddux could also have been known as “Maddy,” I’m liking this nickname despite any lack of originality. I’m still waiting for the “Mad Bum Garners First Win” headline though.
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Win
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 11, 2009 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
MAT CANE SUXX!
Adopted groomer for Mark Gardner's Mullet / Adopted brother of the AnVil
by SoFa King Mike on Apr 11, 2009 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s science.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 11, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone must be compared to Lincecum.
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Apr 11, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, of course.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 11, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gotta set the bar high.
With Tim you need to board a plane to see the bar.
Adopted groomer for Mark Gardner's Mullet / Adopted brother of the AnVil
by SoFa King Mike on Apr 11, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, it is a Sharksrog diary.
co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Apr 11, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Much better control
Mad Bum has MUCH better control than did Tim at the same age. He was mostly around the knees and often on the corners.
Tim’s control took a large jump forward in the Cape Cod League three summers ago, a summer in which — like Joey Hernandez the other night — he took a line drive off the noggin. Don’t know if the line drive was the cause, but although Tim had pitched extremely well as a starter to that point, he pitched the rest of the summer as a closer. You can IMAGINE how tough he was in that role.
But Tim was quoted in a New England paper as saying it all came together for him that summer. Fortunately for the Giants, the Cleveland Indians — who had drafted Tim in the 42nd round, in great part because Tim had made his high bonus demands well known through his agent — didn’t react properly to Tim’s improvement that summer. Had they offered him a mill, he would now be an Indian instead of a Giant.
And of course by waiting one more year to sign, Tim doubled that amount. It was a win for Tim, a win for the University of Washington and a huge win for the Giants.
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joey Martinez
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Apr 11, 2009 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A radioactive baseball bit Lincecum and gave him super-pitching-powers!
by kaliber on Apr 12, 2009 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought you were Pedro Feliz?
El Presidente Larry Baer's epitaph
"Nothing important ever happened without me."
by ResDog on Apr 13, 2009 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know who had real electric stuff?
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Billy Ripken is not a fuck face
by Karlifornia on Apr 11, 2009 1:06 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
This.
Sir Alex Omar Hinshaw: It's not right if it's not left.
by The Enchanter on Apr 11, 2009 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
O-ver-RAY-ted
j/k
"You ask for game winning hits, I give you Eugenio Velez"
by The Gene Hackman on Apr 14, 2009 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t see what’s new here…we all know that Bumgarner just started working on his offspeed pitches LAST YEAR. To expect him to be comfortable at all with them is just absurd. He’s 19…and 1 year into his offspeed development. It’s not a cause for concern.
by Nibbler on Apr 11, 2009 1:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
SharksRog went to the game last night and he’s giving a detailed report on it. That’s all…
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Apr 11, 2009 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gamer
I was at the game last night too, and Bumgarner was just dominant. He rarely threw offspeed pitches and I couldn’t tell the difference between his changeup and slider, in terms of mph and the angle of my seats. Only saw 82 MPH and 91-94 MPH pitches.
In his last inning, Matt Spencer called time late and Bumgarner still pitched, and then they started jawing at each other. Next pitch Spencer lines one to center, hardest hit ball of the night, that Ford caught. Bumgarner proceeded to stare down Spencer as he walked off the mound to end the inning, and then jawed some more. Glad to see that kind of fire.
by henwo on Apr 11, 2009 3:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Pass on that type of fire. Kid should just deal. Then concentrate on the next hitter. Sans any antics
by wilriv21 on Apr 11, 2009 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
Forsan et heac olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
by Mayor of 311 on Apr 11, 2009 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll second that emotion
I think you guys are right on the money that Mad Bum should merely concentrate on pitching. I could understand why Madison was upset with the late time out call, but that is at the discretion of the umpire.
And you really don’t want to upset the ump (who called a MUCH bettter game than the fans behind him).
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Disagree
Talking trash is totally old school, especially between pitchers and batters. Only reason it doesn’t happen anymore is the game is so scrutinized by TV, and anything that can be portayed as controversial that fits into a 10-second video clip gets replayed until the baseball world knows it by heart. Some might say it isn’t setting a good example for kids, but what is better; Throwing a fastball at a batter’s head, which ultimately says if someone pisses you off you should take a shot at causing them physical harm? Or, Jawing at someone, albeit vehemently, which ultimately says if someone pisses you off you should use your words to communicate your anger?
I thought the move was great form by Bumgarner. Maybe a bit immature, but in baseball, maturity isn’t necessarily a virtue.
by StickRat on Apr 11, 2009 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But the jawing and trash talk can lead to throwing at heads.
I think Madbum is better served by not letting batters get under his skin. “Cool and unflappable” is a lot more intimidating that “red ass”.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Apr 12, 2009 8:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But that was part of the magic of the Big Unit and the Rocket in their primes. Yes, Greg Maddux would bite your head off – or throw a nasty back-door sinker – without blinking, but Johnson and Clemens were just as likely to put one in your earhole. Batters were uncomfortable in the box and bailing out on anything on the inside corner, and then they had to deal with whatever was being thrown. Who would you rather the face: the bird-killer, the bat-thrower, or the nebbish, professorial-looking gent?
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 12, 2009 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That all depends… is the nebbish, professorial-looking gent holding a calculus exam?
by Merope on Apr 12, 2009 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, it’s Greg Maddux, so yes.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Apr 13, 2009 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can’t believe nobody’s made a swagger joke yet.
by Dan from NM on Apr 12, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Especially since we have yet to find it.
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Apr 12, 2009 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Depends on the pitcher. The way Bumgarner handled it, he just sawed off the next two batters. I think it’s unwise to hold players to one uniform code of conduct for playing the game. Better to let players do what they do best. If that means a pitcher is going to jaw at a hitter, then amp up his game and break a couple of bats, then a pitcher should jaw at hitters.
by StickRat on Apr 12, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is it possible that the lack of offspeed stuff on early season, and the Giants not wanting to tax his arm before he’s ready. It seems like this is a very similar situation to Rick Porcello (of the Tigers) who breezed through Low A at a similar age using essential nothing but his sinker. They didn’t unleash him, because they did not want to risk anything.
Granted, the main complaint with Bumgarner is his lack of a good #2 pitch, but maybe the Giants as an organization are waiting on that.
by MonkeyChow on Apr 11, 2009 3:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Long-time lurker, 1st or 2nd time poster...
…and I just want to say that people, especially the new ones here, need to learn to appreciate posts like the one that sharksrog wrote. Get off his back and let him continue to write fantastically detailed and well-thought out musings about our awesome minor leaguers in peace. Stop abusing the internet like a poor red-headed step child.
by sammybahamas on Apr 11, 2009 4:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Well , there's this damned dearth of redheaded stepchildren.
NL West TempestTeapot
Nothing matters , and what if it did?
by victor frankenstein on Apr 11, 2009 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Little lack
Little lack of red on the other end, however.
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
this
of course it’s opinion, but were you at the game? There’s actual information in here too, and that’s better than 99% of the crap you read on sports message boards.
by microwave donut on Apr 12, 2009 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Prioritizing
I think Mad Bum is a FABULOUS prospect. Here are my three worries, the last two of which are minor.
1. Can his arm stay healthy? Mad Bum is throwing his way, not the way the Giants wanted him to throw.
2. Will he develop his secondary pitches? A year ago I was pleased with where he was with his curve and change while pitching his first professional season. I thought the curve looked very nice while he was warming up. And the two pitches weren’t horrible when he used them in the game. I just wish he had used them more.
3. Will hitters at higher levels catch up to his fastball? This one hardly seems worth mentioning, giving how well Mad Bum is doing while using little beyond his fastball and given that he struck out four Dodgers (including Manny Ramirez) in three innings during the spring. It’s just that at “only” 94 mph, Mad Bum’s fastball almost seems too good to be true.
I think #2 and #3 aren’t likely to be significant problems. And I hope #1 isn’t. If Mad Bum stays healthy, my nit picking not withstanding, he should be a VERY good pitcher. Mad Bum’s ceiling would seem to approach Tim Lincecum’s, while Tim Alderson’s ceiling might be closer to Matt Cain, even though Matt is more of a power pitcher, while Timmy Two relies more heavily on a very good curve ball and excellent control.
The SJ Giants will be playing game #3 in eight more minutes. I believe Scott Barnes will be on the mound.
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 5:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Everyone keeps saying good hitters can hit the FB. True. However Bummy’s FB is not a straight FB. It has tremendous tail so its action is more than merely a FB.
by wilriv21 on Apr 11, 2009 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Referring?
When you say Mad Bum has tremendous tail, are you referring to his love life?
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's tremendous tail in San Jose now?
Road trip.
Forsan et heac olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
by Mayor of 311 on Apr 11, 2009 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If there’s tail, wilriv’s already there.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 11, 2009 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rog,
I think these are exactly the three areas to pay attention to in the future, and probably in the weighting you indicated. Thanks for an insightful post – as always!
Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005. And winner of the 2012 NL Fireman of the Year Award!
by Lyle on Apr 12, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
both are control pitchers
Bumgarner only at 94 is not a big issue IMO. The thing that excites me about him is his ability to place that fastball. 1.3 BB/9 is crazy. Hitters at any level can hit fastballs down the middle.
Sure his off speed stuff needs work and he probably needs to focus on it more, but if he can really locate his fastball that well, he can be an effective pitcher in the majors even without a plus secondary pitch.
by microwave donut on Apr 13, 2009 12:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good Grief!
I just saw that Mad Bum’s pitch count for his six innings was only 62 last night. Particularly with five strikeouts, that’s fabulous efficiency.Mad Bum was helped by two double plays, and nearly had a third — but the ball was hit too softly and the relay throw was just late. The Giants had a fourth double play try after a nonchalant and hopefully uncharaceristic Nick Noonan error put just the fourth Ports runner on base. But Nick compounded his earlier error by making one of the worst relay throws I’ve ever seen. I think he was trying to hold up his throw, but wound up merely throwing a bounding ball to Angel Villalona that tested AnVil’s range far more than any ball HIT to the big guy. The throw wound up around the tarp, which is more where a throw from left field that was over the head of the player covering second base would be likely to wind up.AnVil made a great pickup to complete a double play on a backhand in-between-hops throw from Brandon Crawford on Thursday night and flawlessly fielded a couple of grounders hit to him Friday night. He looks far better in the field than I had expected.As if Mad Bum’s fine pitching and actually coming a little bit close to inducing a double play after every runner he allowed (including the error), he nearly picked a runner off first base, showing off the move that allowed him to reach double digits in pickoffs at Augusta last season.I’m being nit picky with Madison because I want him to become a great pitcher. The guy is barely 19 1/2 — and already he is giving signs that he could be ready to be at least a reliever in the majors RIGHT NOW! That is certainly not a recommendation on my part, merely an observation. It is almost like watching Tim Lincecum pitch in the minors. Guys just don’t square him up, just as was the case against Tim. The difference is that it was obvious why hitters weren’t hitting Tim, while with Mad Bum, the reasons aren’t so clear.Mad Bum just throws fastball strikes, and batters can’t seem to hit them. He doesn’t really mess around much with setting hitters up. He just blows it by them or allows them meager ground balls or pop ups.Mad Bum isn’t one of those guys who gives you a comfortable 0-for-4. Far from it. But he’s somewhere in between Tim Lincecum’s “I’ll let you know how it looks when I finally actually see one of his pitches.” and Gredg Maddux’s “I can hit this guy even though I have yet to get a hit off him in 20 at bats.”
Much closer to the LIncecum model, but also much closer to the Maddux control. Nowhere near the Maddux level of pinpoint control, but DARN good control for a flame-throwing 19 1/2 year-old pitcher. ESPECIALLY a southpaw! :)
by sharksrog on Apr 11, 2009 6:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
/pretends to read every post
/nods and agrees
Proud adoptive parent of the set-up man.
This is Howry do it!
by CB30 on Apr 11, 2009 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I told you that bitch was crazy!
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 11, 2009 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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