Ryan Sadowski: Fluke or Fixture?
by Grant Brisbee on Jul 6, 2009 9:08 AM PDT
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PrintThe Giants are winning. It's easy to take the Copenhagen interpretation of the Giants' success: don't peek under the hood, don't try and figure out how they're doing it. They're doing it. Shut up, and enjoy it.
The same could be said about Ryan Sadowski. Keep your minor league numbers in their holsters, naysayers. The Dude has 13 scoreless major league innings. Isn't the point of the game to avoid giving up runs?
"(Ryan Sadowski) has kind of defied the law of averages - batted balls in play sometimes find holes, but they haven't in these two games."
Hah. Whatever, hater. Just because you're the one doing the pitching doesn't mean that you know, uh...wait, Sadowski said that? That makes me root for the guy even more. He knows that in a perfect world, he'd be a strikeout machine so he wouldn't have to leave anything to chance.
But the strikeout isn't everything. Jonathan Sanchez is one of the better strikeout pitchers in the league. Out of the rotation. It's possible for a pitcher to have sustained success without a strikeout pitch...
...if he's a lefty, a knuckleballer, an ace sinkerballer, or Russ Ortiz from the middle part of this decade. If you take Sadowski's minor league strikeout and walk numbers without any translation and plug them into Baseball Reference, you don't find a lot of repeat performers you'll find knuckleballers, guys who improved their strikeout numbers for future successful seasons, guys who improved their walk numbers for future successful seasons, and Russ Ortiz.
Maybe Sadowski will develop a strikeout pitch at the major league level. Hey, it can happen. Maybe Sadowski's strikeout rate won't be hurt as much as we think by the promotion. Really, the biggest problem I have with Sadowski's minor league numbers isn't the K-rate -- it's his control. He's been presented as a Ryan Jensen type who survives on hitting his spots, and teasing the hitters. It's a good story. But Sadowski's walk rate in the minors was worse than Jonathan Sanchez's walk rate in the minors.
Pause for dramatic effect.
With Randy Johnson's shoulder strain, there isn't going to be anything resembling a rotation controversy, and I'll pull for Sadowski to buck the odds. I'll pull for a whisper in the ear from Dave Righetti that gives Sadowski an extra inch of break on his sinker. I'll pull for the arm slot to repeat and the control to improve. I just won't expect it. And I'm almost sure the front office feels the same way. There is almost no chance that a pitcher with Sadowski's track record can succeed without making a marked improvement in some area. He can't just be the Sadowski from the minor leagues. He can't even be the Sadowski from the last two games. He's pitched well, but he's also pitched lucky. Even he knows that.
I just wish I were positively sure the front office feels the same way. I'll just enjoy the story while it lasts. But I won't expect it to continue.
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We hope the Big Sadowski remains a Little Urban Achiever.
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
And proud we are of all of them.
"Forget it Donny, you're out of your element"-Walter Sobchak
by icanplaythird on Jul 6, 2009 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m just happy he’s on the giants. He’s the exact pitcher they can’t hit. a sinker baller. To answer your question, he just seems like the type of pitcher that will be figured out and have a career 5.00+ ERA.
For now let’s enjoy the ride.
fixed
I’m just happy he’s on the giants. He’s the exact pitcher they can’t hit. A pitcher.
by Classy_Argonaut on Jul 6, 2009 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
That’s one of the points in the post, though, that in his career he’s had less control over the pitches he’s throwing than Sanchez. Happy for the two starts so far, but I don’t see much reason for optimism going into the future.
by Missing Barry on Jul 6, 2009 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Sanchez was a strike-thrower in the low minors (77 BB in 208.1 IP below AAA) and clearly isn’t now (193 BB in 364 IP in AAA/ML), so it’s not much of a comp. But, yes, if Sadwoski’s walk rate were to increase by 50% over his minor league rate like it did for Sanchez, it’s safe to say that he won’t be very succesful up here.
I think that’s a pretty gross mischaracterization of everything, really. Sanchez’s career BB/9 in the minors is 3.5, compared to 4.8 in the majors. That’s not a 50% increase. It’s probably an unusual increase, and Sadowski isn’t likely to follow it, but the point is Sadowski’s control in the minors wasn’t exactly stellar. 3.9 BB/9 isn’t great, and combine that with the fact that he won’t be striking out a batter per inning like Sanchez, and it doesn’t look very promising for him.
by Missing Barry on Jul 6, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, that was a little stretch...
…Sanchez’s walk increase was closer to 45%, from 3.3 in the low minors to 4.8 above. My point was just that the amazing peripherals of a hard-throwing lefty in the Sally league in 2005 don’t really help us project a future for Sadowski. I would imagine the pool of Sadowski comps (26-y-o righties with mediocre minor league peripherals and velocity) would contain a few success stories and a vast desert of obscurity. “Doesn’t look very promising” sounds about right.
He seems like a perfectly good #5 starter to me. As Kruk said, everything he throws has movement, so I think he’s always going to be hard to square up. He also seems to go after hitters with a plan and seems very mature for a guy just called up. Considering all he’s gone through, it’s a great story and from the interview I saw with him, he seems very likable.
He’ll start giving up some runs, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him keep the ERA under 4.50.
At the very least, we can be thankful for the two starts he gave us in the midst “Situation Sanchez”.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
This
When his sinker doesn’t sink, he’ll give up some runs. When it works, he’ll be perfectly acceptable. No way to predict which occurs more often, but I’d expect an ERA under 4.5 and reasonable longetivity (6+ innings per).
Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005. And winner of the 2012 NL Fireman of the Year Award!
That’s not a bad guess. minorleaguesplits.com has his MLE FIP as 5.57 and he averaged about 5.5 IP per start in Fresno (they’re likely to keep pitch counts down there, and the substandard defense probably raises pitch counts).
Sadowski is a guy who will likely benefit a lot from a major-league defense behind him. I think he can post a ERA like Sanchez’s this season – low 5s – but in a much less frustrating way. Plus. when TBS is on, he’ll likely pitch deeper into games as a result of quick innings. Even when Sanchez is on, you get games like May 20 – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 99 pitches.
Sure, there are going to be nights where Sadowski is knocked around the yard, but he’s a perfectly serviceable 5th starter even were he to have an ERA over 5.50. If Sanchez can figure things out – and I hoped Randy Johnson would be the guy to help – his upside is much higher than TBS’s, but if you wait forever for that to happen then Sanchez has no trade value.
by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Jul 6, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Also, FWIW, ZiPS had Sadowski projected for a 4.71 ERA this season, albeit as a swingman with more time in the pen
by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Jul 6, 2009 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions
whos TBS?
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
ahh gotcha thanks
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
Crappy cable channel.
Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Jul 6, 2009 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions
telly bull shit
As my brother coined it years ago.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 6, 2009 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions
but if you wait forever for that to happen then Sanchez has no trade value.
But hasn’t this already happened?
"Catcher are base running. Hitters are offense."
Only [hella] games left until the end of Zito's [no, make that Rowand's] contract.
Adoptive father of "Poncho" Villalona: This Angel don't fly. Nothing about him is light.
I don’t know about no trade value. Certainly less!
by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Jul 6, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
An ERA under 4.5 is a lot better than you think it is – that’s like 3rd starter territory.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
He is your junkballer type of guy who has to make it by getting ahead in the count and changing speeds to keep hitters off balance. I’d be surprised if he has that long a career though. But something had to be done since Sanchez just isn’t a starting pitcher in the majors and is so overrated it’s ridiculous.
I don’t think Sanchez is or ever was overrated. I like Sanchez as much as anyone else, but it was always about what he could be, not what he is.
by Missing Barry on Jul 6, 2009 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions
That’s just it. I never saw him being as good as people seemed to think. He rarely ever pitches well when facing a lineup for the second-third time. His fastball is 91, which isn’t dominant, and his breaking ball tends to break way out of the strikezone and has little command of it so often. Does he even have a third pitch, much less an effective one?
He’s a bullpen guy who is tough on lefties and doesn’t have to worry about pitch selection and setting hitters up for later when facing them again if coming out of the pen. That’s what he is and will always be. His stuff isn’t as good as people believed.
“His stuff isn’t as good as people believed.”
I have to say I strongly disagree with this. If you rank all pitchers with 100+ innings pitched in the NL last year by K/9, you’ll find Jonathan Sanchez at #4 on the list, behind only Lincecum, Edison Volquez, and Chad Billingsley (ew). Stuff isn’t all about speed – he’s deceptive, get’s good movement, and has decent (though not great) velocity. That’s what we’re excited about.
by Missing Barry on Jul 6, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Keep running him out there until the magic pixie dust runs out.
Randy Winn is in time out until his OBP gets back over .330.
I agree
But once that happens, is Sanchez given another shot?
Or do they bring up another middling AAA arm?
Can’t say that there’s a clear winner for either of those options.
Randy Winn is in time out until his OBP gets back over .330.
well, when he does, logically, come back down to earth and gets rocked by someone…do the ginats brazzsz stick with him for another start or quickly decide the miracle ride is over?
im assuming the prevailing wisdom is that he is doing well because nobody has figured him out yet, and as soon as someone does then get him the hell out of here.
im hoping for john burkett and not mike remlinger
Les Plack = more chicks
I am running roughshod over the dingerz.exe league. the dl is trying to jinx me, but im too guile-y.
by Headhunter Rollins on Jul 6, 2009 9:48 AM PDT reply actions
If we could wring six wins out of him
…I’d be real happy. Best case scenario, he’s Kirk Rueter 2.0. Worst case, he’s back in the minors. I kind of like the three-inning version of Sanchez.
I left my swagger in my other pants.
Kirk Reuter
is exactly who Sadowski reminds me of. Patially because of the goofy facial features, but mostly because the Woody of later years seemed to get groundball after groundball until you looked up at the scoreboard and he had gotten the Giants through six innings and only given up a couple runs.
Small Sample Size Theater applies here, obviously.
"He is Tim Lincecum...the Most Interesting Pitcher in the World."
His ears arent that big
The San Francisco Giants: Where old men go to die.
by GrahamCrakalaka on Jul 6, 2009 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions
ill take that
The San Francisco Giants: Where old men go to die.
by GrahamCrakalaka on Jul 6, 2009 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions
Ryan Jensen 2.0
which I’ll also take if it’s 2002 Ryan Jensen
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
So very this!
Yes, This is still a 79 win squad.
Fuggen Rox! You might want to try beating The Bums more than once in 10 games. Try it. You might find you like it.
It's not always about stuff
Throw strikes. Change speeds. Move the ball around in the zone. Make sure everything you throw has movement on it. Field your position. How many games did we see Rick Rueschel win usng that formula?
Sadowski’s not Rueschel; his sinker and control aren’t that good. But he pitched great his last five AAA outings. He’s earned a rotation spot, short term, and then long-term we bring up Alderson and Mad Bum.
Total pure unadulterated fluff, but Scott Ostler wrote a nice article about Sadowski in the Chron today. I don’t think he can keep it up (well, obviously, no one could) but I’ll be rooting for him.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
Thinking outside the box!
…he asked his mom, a retired elementary school teacher, to phone each of the 30 big-league teams, get the name and phone number of the team’s Miami-area scout, call each team’s scout and say, “I’m Ryan Sadowski’s mother. Please phone my son. He can pitch and he’d like a chance to show you.”
Why didn’t Ryan make the calls himself?
“If you just do something a little out of the ordinary, it might grab someone’s attention,” he said.
A little bit of creativity could help a pitcher with underwhelming stuff.
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
I saw that this morning in the print version of the paper. It’s a good read. I had no idea about the head injury. All I knew is he missed the entire 04 season.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 6, 2009 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions
Fluke
Nobody other than the Brewers and Astros have seen him. He was a surprise callup that hasn’t undergone advance scouting by opponents. He will be adjusted to; they all are.
Yeah, I know…I’m a hater.
by Lars The Wanderer on Jul 6, 2009 10:20 AM PDT reply actions
Wandering Hater!
Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005. And winner of the 2012 NL Fireman of the Year Award!
Scandinavian Hater !
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
Definite Article Hater!
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.
The Brewers are nothing to scoff at.
Bruce Bochy would like you to look at the career numbers and stop complaining.
If I ever have the urge to scoff at the Brewers, I’ll keep this in mind.
by Lars The Wanderer on Jul 6, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Pay no attention
I scoff at the Brewers all the time.
LOL BREWERS
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
Don’t listen to cheno. He’s fairly scoffable.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Jul 6, 2009 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions
No you don’t.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Jul 6, 2009 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions
At this rate, he’s probably got better trade value than Sanchez.
I think he’s a bit of a fluke, but he seems to have a good sense of the game. He takes interviews well, and acts like he’s a veteran pitcher. Maybe with hitters in the majors being a little more patient at the plate, than most minor league players, he’ll have more success… if he can continue to find the strikezone. One of our most consistent pitchers in recent memory was Kirk Rueter, who couldn’t strike anyone out either. I think being on a team like the Giants who have Randy Johnson, Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez and a plethora of guys in the bullpen who can get a strikeout, it’s been a little different for some of these hitters to adjust to The Dude’s stuff… take that with the late movement on his pitches, and guys may just struggle with this kid for a little while.
Is Grant saying Sadowski’s cat is dead?
Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Jul 6, 2009 10:24 AM PDT reply actions
heh
He’s not saying; he’s just saying…
by Lars The Wanderer on Jul 6, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
GRANT MADE RYANS CAT ONE OF THE UNDEAD!!!
Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Jul 6, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions
a whisper in the ear from Dave Righetti that gives Sadowski an extra inch
I thought baseball slash was the Baron’s department, not Grant’s…
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
I like how many groundballs he’s gotten. 72% so far, according to First Inning. Which is 50% more than the number he was getting in AAA this year. So, that’s going to regress. But, hey, the start against the Astros was legitimately good.
Also, for those that didn’t know (I didn’t until yesterday), you can watch condensed games on mlb.com, here. Just go to whichever day you want. It condenses the game to about 12 minutes, just showing the last pitch of each AB and some replays of the big plays. Pretty awesome, it even has the blacked out game from Saturday
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
Whoa, that condensed game thing is totally awesome! Thanks!
by The Double Deuce on Jul 6, 2009 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I know I’m pretty excited about it. I miss at least a game or two a week due to various other commitments, so it’ll be nice to go back and get a general feel for the games.
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
That’s pretty sweet. I wonder how it would look on my blackberry. I’m going to guess shitty, because it sucks.
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
Is this just for MLB.tv subscribers or can us Gameday Audio Luddites enjoy the fun as well?
"He is Tim Lincecum...the Most Interesting Pitcher in the World."
For everyone, it appears, as I don’t have MLB.tv. Although, maybe it’s a free week, but I didn’t see anything about that.
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
Found it. Thanks for the tip! Can’t believe I never saw that before…
"He is Tim Lincecum...the Most Interesting Pitcher in the World."
No problem, I can’t believe I never saw it either. I was just looking for highlights of the weekend games and came across that. In 25 minutes I had watched both of the Houston beatdowns.
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
Grammar! Hurray!
“or can us we Gameday Audio Luddites enjoy the fun as well?”
"Catcher are base running. Hitters are offense."
Only [hella] games left until the end of Zito's [no, make that Rowand's] contract.
Adoptive father of "Poncho" Villalona: This Angel don't fly. Nothing about him is light.
I don’t have opinions on things until Marcello and Xanthan chime in, so I’ll let you know once Xanthan’s user boots him up.
Merkin Valdez? Manuel Mateo? A rose by any other name...
Haha
Xanthan is out this week. I’m in sole possession of your thoughts. Ummmm…he’s pretty ok for now.
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
saidowsker for feelderz
Les Plack = more chicks
I am running roughshod over the dingerz.exe league. the dl is trying to jinx me, but im too guile-y.
by Headhunter Rollins on Jul 6, 2009 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions
The Big Sadowski
For Governor!!
Ron Wotus for Manager or Roberto Kelly.
Billy Ripken is still a douche bag.
Oh yeah , fuck Scott Hairston and the Oakland A’s!
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/07/as-acquire-scott-hairston.html
Ron Wotus for Manager or Roberto Kelly.
Billy Ripken is still a douche bag.
Whew. Don’t have to play him again this season.
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.
Cy Sadowski
From baseballmusings.com:
Ryan Sadowski made his second major league start Friday night and earned his second short shutout. Tim Lincecum better watch out. Sadowski had an okay minor league career in terms of ERA and strikeouts, but never anything that screamed ace except for his won-loss record. Maybe it was good luck or good teams around him, but Sadowski has allowed just seven hits in 13 innings of major league work, only one for extra bases. Maybe there was something in his minor league record that no one saw until now.
My take:
While it’s far more likely he’ll get pitch himself back to AAA than it is his career ERA will remain at 0.00, I think he’s got a strong shot at being a solid 5th starter. Remember that even a “good” 5th starter has an ERA around 5.00 and a losing record.
Also, he’s less maddening to watch than Sanchez is. Even if they’re both losses, I’d rather watch a guy who throws strikes and gets beat by balls in play than a guy with great stuff who walks too many and loses his head when he gets in a jam or a call goes against him.
{sarcasm}I’m printing up CyDowski shirts already, look for them on ebay{/sarcasm}
Daily Gameball and Joker at GIANTSBOARD.COM
GB and JK also at Giantsboard Blog
Say Hey Say Willie, that Giant Kid is Great!
He's a fluke...AND a fixture!
He’s a fluxeture!!
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
I was going to say he’s a flukin’ fixture, but Grant doesn’t lke us to cheapen the site with that kind of language
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
Like this place could get any cheaper!
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
Eh
I’m going fluke. Without ever looking up his stats or watching him pitch.
FIRE BRIAN SABEAN... UNLESS HE KEEPS DRAFTING WELL. .. AND SIGNS UNDERRATED PLAYERS LIKE AFFELDT OR PHELPS. .. OR ALRIGHT WHO'S PLAYING WITH THE ALIEN MIND-SWITCHING RAY?
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game currently in early planning stages.
+1
I would like to at least see a game of his before I make a final judgment, but I’m not optimistic
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
I watched his second start
I’ve seen him pitch and his stuff looked a lot more impressive than Matt Palmer’s did last year.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
More impressive than Matt Palmer
I think that’s called “damning with faint praise”, innit?
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
Third best Matt Palmer imitator
…at best!!
Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005. And winner of the 2012 NL Fireman of the Year Award!
As for his Minor League Stats…
When he was called up, the word was that the AAA coaches lobbied for the call up to be him, saying that he had more or less figured it out recently, but had figured it out. Whether this is true in fact, i don’t know, but it would give reason to pay a little less attention to the minor league stats. Control can improve dramatically (not commonly, but not all that rare either), and that may have happened already with him. We’ll see.
Prospective parent of new pick, Zack Wheeler. Projectable Righty stolen from the braves. Of course, I stalk my son's myspace: http://www.myspace.com/zackwheelerbaseball
"Obviously I’m not doing things like going toe-to-toe with a ninja. Find me a ninja, for one."--Brian Wilson
I remember hearing that, but the numbers don’t reflect what the coaches were saying.
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
Are there gamelogs for the minor leagues? I’d be curious to see if is numbers improved the last few starts in Fresno.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
That’s what I meant, his June numbers in AAA were not good. He was a bit unlucky with balls in play, but nothing about his numbers even hinted at improvement. This link has some saber numbers, if you’re inclined, to add to wilriv’s link below.
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
True, but possibly SSS. They didn’t say when he ‘turned the corner’, only that he recently had.
Prospective parent of new pick, Zack Wheeler. Projectable Righty stolen from the braves. Of course, I stalk my son's myspace: http://www.myspace.com/zackwheelerbaseball
"Obviously I’m not doing things like going toe-to-toe with a ninja. Find me a ninja, for one."--Brian Wilson
that is, if one buys that take. Again, we’ll see: not much to lose by seeing what he can do.
Prospective parent of new pick, Zack Wheeler. Projectable Righty stolen from the braves. Of course, I stalk my son's myspace: http://www.myspace.com/zackwheelerbaseball
"Obviously I’m not doing things like going toe-to-toe with a ninja. Find me a ninja, for one."--Brian Wilson
Or he was called up because we’re lacking spots on our 40 man and he was someone we could put on it for a start and take right back off without losing (or even if he was claimed, we wouldn’t care)…
by Missing Barry on Jul 6, 2009 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Fluxture?
I’m sure he’s been lucky thus far but the Brewers and Astros can swing the bats pretty well and all they got was sinking goose eggs from the Duderino.
His next start against the Marlins should tell soon enough as they can hit pretty well too.
Mo'ped Money, Mo'ped Problems
So if he has a good start against the Marlins, everyone we’ll say he’s not a fluke? From the comments I’m seeing, I think that stat geeks are going to take more convincing than that.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
Two more solid games, and then I’m in.
Oh, who am I kidding? I’m in now.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Jul 6, 2009 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions
He seems like a fluke to me but I’m happy to have a pitcher that isn’t (seemingly) over-thinking himself OUT of his control. Sadowski doesn’t look like he overthinks much. Grimmest look, which I kinda like.
Now look at me. I'm wet nurse to a last-place, dead-to-the-neck-up ball club, and I'm choking to death!
looks like his gameface is a downs-face sorta.
also:
Now look at me. I'm wet nurse to a last-place, dead-to-the-neck-up ball club, and I'm choking to death!
by zodiac_chiller on Jul 6, 2009 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions
or Garland Green
During his first start, my gf and I had him pegged as a Buscemi.
by crazedcrustacean on Jul 6, 2009 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go, I wanna be Sadowski
Nothin’ to do no where to go-o-oh, I wanna be Sadowski
"The dreams ain't broken down here now, they're walking with a limp" --TW
Take me to the dugout, put me on the mound
Hurry hurry hurry, the Marlins are in town
I haven’t got a fastball but I’ll keep my sinker down
Oh no, oh oh, oh oh
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
heh
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
FTR
The Ramones : me :: Rush : jponry
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
D:
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 6, 2009 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I am so sorry.
Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Jul 6, 2009 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions
That’s a bummer do. I take it you don’t enjoy the film Rock and Roll High School. It’s a classic.
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.
Blitzkreig Bop is a pretty boring song.
I like some of the other ones better.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Jul 6, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Verse 2
Don’t send back to Fresno, that would be quite rude,
My nickname’s Big Sadowski, but you can call me dude,
I can control my pitches, I’m not a bad pitcher
I’m really not fluke, might be a true fixture,
Oh no, oh oh, oh oh
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
nice
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 6, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
mmmm Copenhagen....
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Wronghanded Affeldt pitches right
by Giant among Angels on Jul 6, 2009 1:13 PM PDT reply actions
flavor?
Kodiak seems to be really rough on me. Though I haven’t had it in a few years ( I think I had Wintergreen).
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Wronghanded Affeldt pitches right
by Giant among Angels on Jul 6, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions
man, I used to have a coach that would throw in uppers with that. I can’t hang with uppers.
Snuff is fine for me
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Wronghanded Affeldt pitches right
by Giant among Angels on Jul 6, 2009 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Uppers or snuff? or both?
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Wronghanded Affeldt pitches right
by Giant among Angels on Jul 6, 2009 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions
snuff is fine if you live in jamestown and it’s the 1620s
Now look at me. I'm wet nurse to a last-place, dead-to-the-neck-up ball club, and I'm choking to death!
by zodiac_chiller on Jul 6, 2009 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Skoal Mint.....
and on an offday, Camel Frost Snus.
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
I got a free sample of that Snus stuff a few weeks ago. Pretty good
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Wronghanded Affeldt pitches right
by Giant among Angels on Jul 6, 2009 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions
I like the Camel Snus. Tastes good, not enough nicotine though. Yes I am an addict.
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
TBS pitches Wed?
I’ll be at that game. I’d rather see Lince or Cain, but TBS is my 3rd fav on the team right now. We’ll see if he still is after Wed.
Every time I bring up his poor K rates, people mention that you don’t have to be a good strikeout pitcher to be decent. That’s true, if you’re actually good at something else, like not walking people, or getting groundballs, or limiting hits on balls in play, or something. Sadowski has shown absolutely no ability to do any of those things during his minor league career. Fluke.
And regarding the “he looked mature” argument – It’s pretty hard to look immature when you’re allowing 0.85 baserunners per inning. Especially when you do it without striking people out – for something reason, letting every batter put the ball in play makes you look like you know what you’re doing on the mound. Until your luck runs out, that is.
Adoptive parent of Noah Lowry.
:-(
This pretty much says it, but I have to quibble a bit, and it’s probably going to depend on what you mean by “decent.”
His K and BB rates weren’t that good, but they weren’t terrible; I’m not sure that he’s not going to stick as a 5th starter, but I’m with you on the rest of it.
by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Jul 6, 2009 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions
all of his pitches seem to have some pretty wicked movement. I can see why he’s walked a lot of people as he probably didn’t always know where it was going. Now, if he has somehow harnessed the movement and can hit his spots with more regularity, I don’t see why he couldn’t be a serviceable 5th starter for the rest of the year.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 6, 2009 2:48 PM PDT reply actions
I hope he is a fixture
Because
Zito’s a bum
Sanchez is a bust
Johnson is a 5 inning pitcher at best
You cannot vie for a playoff place with basically 2 great pitchers
But until soybean gets his head out of his ass and spends some money(Zito not included as any baseball fan with half a brain knew this idiot was gonna be a bust) guess what nothing’s gonna change
Yep, it’s pessimism.
Realism would be “we are doing much better than expected. We are contending for a playoff spot. Timmy and Cain have been awesome. RJ has done better than expected. Zito hasn’t been awful.”
by positiveuphemism on Jul 6, 2009 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Wild Cards can’t drive.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Jul 6, 2009 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions
EOMMA
Pessimists always say that.
Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Jul 6, 2009 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Some people join with a bang
My first comment was “lol”
Chris Dominguez: Bringing dingerz back to The Bay (In a while)
Baggs reporting Big Unit on the DL, Frandsen up from Fresno.
"He is Tim Lincecum...the Most Interesting Pitcher in the World."
Sweet jesus let him play everyday. I don’t even like him, I just hate Uribe.
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
JUAN URIBE
Still in despair.
BRING BACK MARMOL!
konakona:「つかさに教われと...なんか非常に負けたような気がする。」
Shun Kakazu: MOAR JAPANESE PROSPECTS PLZ
by Zetsuboushita on Jul 6, 2009 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions
garbage in, garbage out
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 6, 2009 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Frandsen’s sinister plan is working :-)
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
I read this as something about Frandsen’s sister.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 6, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions
She’s working.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Jul 6, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Sweet jesus let him play everyday.
They’re calling up Frandsen, not Guzman
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
JUAN U-RBI!
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Jul 6, 2009 7:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Sweet Jesus, let him play every day. I don't even like him, I just want the Frandsvestites on here to GET WHAT THEY WANT!!!!11!
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
This too
Also, I don’t want us to trade a lot for Adam Kennedy.
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
The fact that he’s been placed on the DL before the results come back is probably a bad sign.
"He is Tim Lincecum...the Most Interesting Pitcher in the World."
It could also mean that whatever the cause is, they want to get him some rest. Dude’s old and it wouldn’t be good if he got hurt worse.
GROUGTHINK ALERT
Do they count the days during the break toward the date he’s eligible to return? If they just wanna give him a rest without costing him a few extra days then this is a good move.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 6, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions
His face looked at his shoulder and it broke it.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Jul 6, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions
I know that someone on this site said that if he went on the DL, he’d only miss one start. I can’t verify the accuracy of that statement though (because I’m lazy).
GROUGTHINK ALERT
I can verify
It’s true that groug is lazy.
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
Yes, just 15 days as I understand it.
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
There will have to be another move
So Frandsen comes up, and voila, we have a utility infielder. That’s the easy move. But RJ has another start scheduled before the break, and that’s tricky. We’d have to move someone else so we can bring up Martinez (presumably) to spot start. There’s gotta be a trade brewing
by Giantsfan4life on Jul 6, 2009 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Sanchez taking a spot start (this would be a textbook example) is fine by me. It’s just one start and then, if RJ’s fine or not, he’ll be back to the bull-pen.
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.
Yeah, I don’t think there’s anything more to the decision than giving him rest. There might turn out to be more to the injury, but I don’t think there’s anything more than that to the decision.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Jul 6, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Not necessarily
If they were to skip his final start before the break, then move him to the back of the rotation after the break, I believe he’s get 15 days off. So moving him to the DL might have just been a formality to make room for Frandsen to come up.
If Johnson is only out for a couple weeks, the big decision will be what to do when he’s ready to come back.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
Johnson on the DL
CF Rowand
LF Torres
3B Sandoval
C Molina
SS Renteria
RF Schierholtz
2B Uribe
1B Ishikawa
P Cain
apparently, his sinister plan did not involve a quick getaway.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 6, 2009 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions
His sinister sister can’t drive very fast.
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.
In the Merc this morning
it said the Giants prefer to keep Sanchez in the bullpen, and might bring up Joe Martinez.
Wilber Bucardo: Carlos Silva with a younger brother.
Baggz sez
Sanchez taking his spot in the rotation
COMPUTERS DON"T HAVE FEELINGS
Jonathan Sanchez. He's left-handed, like Barry Zito. His fastball breaks 80, unlike Zito.
Xanthan was just inquiring about our mere human emotions in order to deal with us more efficiently.
Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Jul 6, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions
We’ve probably been riding the Big Unit a little too hard. Time to give that Johnson a rest.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
And if you keep working it, you’ll get less and less out of it.
I expect with some rest he’ll be up and ready for more in no time!
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
Sometimes when Mr. Johnson gets older, he needs a little help to stay up. It’s common. It happens to every guy. It’s not a big deal.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 6, 2009 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Extensive overuse can certainly lead to arm problems too. He’ll probably just want to rest for a while.
GROUGTHINK ALERT
Even if you use the stranger?
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 6, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Especially if you use the stranger and are diabetic.
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.
Meh
I’m glad what he’s done so far but I’m not counting on him being anything more than a (fungible) 5th starter going forward.
Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all
If Dustin Pedroia played in Seattle, not many people would be talking about him.
GET THAT VORP SH!T OUTTA HERE!!!
Based on the way people have been talking about his minor league stats, I was thinking that they were going to be a lot worse than they are. I mean, they’re nothing special, but they’re okay. I’m actually encouraged. I know it’s based on a small sample, but I think he’s going to be fine. As long as he throws the sinker with any kind of consistency, I think we’ll … then again, he also reminds me of Brian Dallimore….
But still, not that bad. I’m feeling better about him today than I was last night.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
Fluke
Obviously, anybody who has a 0.00 ERA is a fluke, he will eventually give up runs. And based on what his minor league stats show, he is going to give up a lot of runs. Still, I think he would make a nice back of rotation guy for most pitching staffs. But with Bumgarner and Alderson probably ready by 2010 (and I’m betting the Giants push them off to 2011) and Sanchez maybe finally figuring out things, plus Pucetas ready to come up too, don’t know if the Giants have any space for him, ultimately.
Then again, Brandon Webb wasn’t that impressive in the minors either but he had a sinker too and something click once he was up here, whereas higher ranked prospects like Jerome Williams and another W name pitching prospect had better stats all the way up but didn’t have the longevity that Webb has had until now.
In any case, I say we ride him until he collapses. Remember, the last Giants prospect to start his career with so many shutout innings was Mike Remlinger, and he was considered a top prospect for us, yet, his career fizzled out into mediocrity until Mazzone and the Braves fixed him up in his 30’s and he got a huge contract out of the Cubs before showing that he didn’t really have it after all.
Adoptive parental unit of Ehire Adrianza.
Godfather of Travis Ishikawa.
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum
"Let's go get them in 2009!" - The Kid
"He got his pitch; he did not miss it" - Cainer
"Kung Fu Panda don't get hurt" - Cainer
by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Jul 7, 2009 5:12 PM PDT reply actions
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