Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

by hairball on Mar 5, 2008 2:47 PM PST

Merkin Valdez, seen here throwing lightning, courtesy GF9's excellent spring blog.

ST so far:

3 games, 4 IP, 4 K, 2 H, 1 BB, 0.00 ERA

No doubt that I'm jinxing him, but this 26 yr-old's career minor league numbers are nothing to shake a stick at:

3.36 ERA in 115 games, 392 K in 396 IP, 1.26 WHIP, and around a 2.5:1 K:BB ratio

Apparently, he's still throwing heat after last year's surgery. Could this guy be a force in our bullpen? Pienso que si...

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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El Mago

The kid is out of options so a big spring could do wonders to his career and the SF bullpen. Continued success Merkin!

by wilriv21 on Mar 5, 2008 2:49 PM PST reply actions

Re: Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

I'm wondering if anyone knows exactly how fast he's been clocked at lately. Maybe GF9 listed it and I missed it. Anyone?

***

Succumb to the Enchanted t-shirt! Adopted dad of Minor Izzy

by hairball on Mar 5, 2008 2:52 PM PST reply actions

Re: Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

Merkin has to make the roster, if only for Baron's puns!

"I think I'd trust Amy Winehouse to guard my bag of coke before I'd trust Sabes to build my offense." -Dan Szymborski, Baseball Think Factory

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Mar 5, 2008 2:53 PM PST reply actions

Re: Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

Everyone discarded a certain Joe Nathan after a multitude of injuries and his lack of minor options and he had a great sprig that carried into the regular season and on to Minnesota. My belief on TJ surgery is that it takes the missed time AND a full playing season to fully recover, but if he shows promise this early that gives more justification for him to make the squad than Tyler Walker, who we know sucks.

Frandsen for 3B (til July 08)

by NeifiChicken on Mar 5, 2008 2:57 PM PST reply actions

Re: Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

Tyler was decent. Like you probably do, I have a bunch of memories of Tyler Walker devastatingly blowing saves in big games but he really doesn't suck. He just isn't a closer.

All you guys talk about is the baseball boogie and Angel Villalona.

by Woody Wins on Mar 5, 2008 3:22 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

That's not even it for me. I felt Walker did better as a closer than he did as a reliever. He's not chopped liver, but all he really is to me is a long reliever that can miss some bats, but also misses the plate just as often.

He's far too wild for my taste considering his strike out stuff, while not bad, is still not exceptional. Walker doesn't have much upside, so I see no point in keeping him if it means costing a guy like Valdez a shot

Frandsen for 3B (til July 08)

by NeifiChicken on Mar 5, 2008 5:22 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

There are far worse candidates to send down/away then Thighler. Such as Messenger, who was optioned today. I'd much rather have Walker around than Messenger.

Right now I think the bullpen is shaping up something like this:

CL: Wilson
Setup: Thighler
6th/7th inning: Hennessey, Chulk, Merkin
LHRP/LOOGY: Taschner, Kline or Threets
Long Relief: Misch or Sanchez

That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more!

by tobias on Mar 5, 2008 8:04 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

Maybe Bochy can have him make his 2008 debut vs. Pujols in a tie game. That went well the first time.

by KCE on Mar 5, 2008 3:27 PM PST reply actions

He can do it

As long as Bocock's at short, Merkin's got it covered.

Nate Schierholtz cannot play third base. Nate Schierholtz cannot play third base. Steve Kline is pretty okay. Nate Schierholtz cannot play third base.

by groug on Mar 5, 2008 3:42 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

That's silly. LaRussa wouldn't have Pujols in with the game on the line.

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Mar 5, 2008 4:32 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

And Bud Black will keep putting Hoffman in the game to get that one last, crucial save. Because a HOF arm can't breakdown in the clutch.

it's always noonan somewhere

by sectionop92 on Mar 5, 2008 8:46 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

It's the control that left Merkin when he got hurt. Not the velocity.

Feliz gone, team still bad

by oldjacket on Mar 5, 2008 4:03 PM PST reply actions

Re: Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

I remember hearing reports that Valdez had trouble hitting 90 on the gun not too long ago. For a guy that's basically a pure fastball pitcher, that ain't a good sign.

Brian Anderson: I can has spot in Fresno 'pen?

by JT Jordan on Mar 5, 2008 4:37 PM PST reply actions

Re: Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

He's since managed to pitch 4 scoreless innings. FOUR. What does it take to make you believe?!?!?!

The 2008 San Francisco Giants: Years of neglected rebuilding, continued.

by jasomack on Mar 5, 2008 5:14 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Reason for optimism: Snatch-Wig?

Four hundred four would do fine.

by wcw on Mar 5, 2008 6:09 PM PST up reply actions

Wow FOUR?!?!?!?!/1/1/1

Anyone can pitch 4 innings perfectly. By your logic Merkin Valdez is the perfect pitcher and will do great this season and Barry Zito is a terrible pitcher and will have a two digit or maybe three digit ERA this year. While I agree he's a terrible pitcher he'll probably be in the 4s this year. And Merkin will get lit up sometime.

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Mar 5, 2008 7:58 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Wow FOUR?!?!?!?!/1/1/1

Wow, I can't believe you fell in.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Mar 5, 2008 8:43 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Wow FOUR?!?!?!?!/1/1/1

I too expected better from WalrusMan. I mean, it's a well known fact that walruses are the most sarcastic animals on the planet. "Oh, nice tusks," one of them will say to the other. It will be years before that other guy realizes his tusks suck by walrus standards.

So guys, I'm apparently going insane. Don't be too surprised when I turn into victor.

Nate Schierholtz cannot play third base. Nate Schierholtz cannot play third base. Steve Kline is pretty okay. Nate Schierholtz cannot play third base.

by groug on Mar 5, 2008 10:36 PM PST up reply actions