Thursday, May 18, 2006
ROTATION OR RELIEF
I try not to rehash what the big boys and girls report and comment on (for the most part, they do a good job), unless I have something to add or find particularly interesting for whatever reason. I like to tackle other topics not getting enough attention, wildly speculate (which the mainstream really can’t do as pros), or dive into some number crunching. Last night, I just found this interesting article on Craig Hansen and wanted to comment.
Recently, I’ve changed my original assertion that Craig Hansen will be a starter in the short-term future because Jonathan Papelbon’s doing a Mario Rivera impersonation. Pap seems to have cemented his role as the “closer” putting Hansen on the track for the rotation as I thought when he signed last year.
"Craig Hansen has signed for $4 million and a major league deal. Hansen will be a starter for the Sox. The Sox don’t pay some their relievers on the 25-man his $1+ million bonus. Plus, Dave Wallace showed him how to throw his third pitch, a change up, over a short workout. Hansen can easily learn a third pitch."
Hansen is doing just that…
“Craig is working hard and making great progress with his pitch development, command and ‘pitchability,’ ” Epstein said. “He has started working from the full windup at times and has displayed good body control and mechanics. We’re pleased with his development and look forward to him making an impact on our major league team in the future.”
Other than the obvious concern that Hansen has limited experience starting, one would not call his delivery “clean” or “free and easy”, which could prove to be a health issue down the road if he takes the ball every fifth day. Regardless, the Sox have and are developing their top prospects to be flexible - start or relieve, play second or short, and any outfield position - to give the club more options each winter and in-season.
I try not to rehash what the big boys and girls report and comment on (for the most part, they do a good job), unless I have something to add or find particularly interesting for whatever reason. I like to tackle other topics not getting enough attention, wildly speculate (which the mainstream really can’t do as pros), or dive into some number crunching. Last night, I just found this interesting article on Craig Hansen and wanted to comment.
Recently, I’ve changed my original assertion that Craig Hansen will be a starter in the short-term future because Jonathan Papelbon’s doing a Mario Rivera impersonation. Pap seems to have cemented his role as the “closer” putting Hansen on the track for the rotation as I thought when he signed last year.
"Craig Hansen has signed for $4 million and a major league deal. Hansen will be a starter for the Sox. The Sox don’t pay some their relievers on the 25-man his $1+ million bonus. Plus, Dave Wallace showed him how to throw his third pitch, a change up, over a short workout. Hansen can easily learn a third pitch."
Hansen is doing just that…
“Craig is working hard and making great progress with his pitch development, command and ‘pitchability,’ ” Epstein said. “He has started working from the full windup at times and has displayed good body control and mechanics. We’re pleased with his development and look forward to him making an impact on our major league team in the future.”
Other than the obvious concern that Hansen has limited experience starting, one would not call his delivery “clean” or “free and easy”, which could prove to be a health issue down the road if he takes the ball every fifth day. Regardless, the Sox have and are developing their top prospects to be flexible - start or relieve, play second or short, and any outfield position - to give the club more options each winter and in-season.
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Thank you - Red Sox!
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