Thursday, June 15, 2006
NOT A BLOCKBUSTER
The Red Sox reacquired lefthanded reliever, Javier Lopez from the Other Sox for relief version of Matt Clement (great stuff but WTF) or as he is better known - David Riske. Lopez was selected in the Rule V draft in 2002 by the Sox, but he was traded to Colorado before the season started. The Front Office opted to keep their other southpaw pick, Matt White. White was a disaster while Lopez flourished in Denver in 2003.
Over the last two seasons, Lopez has dealt with control issues, which has severely limited his effectiveness. If his numbers in Charlotte this season is any indication, six walks in 33 innings (26 K’s too), he could be helpful as a Lefty One Out GuY (LOOGY). From the Sox press release, it seems they see Lopez as their LOOGY.
He has held lefthanded hitters to a .171 (6-35) batting average and has a groundball/flyball ratio of 64/25 (72%), the latter ranking second best in the International League and fourth best in all of professional baseball (MLB and minors) among pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched.
The acquisition could also be a sign that Keith Foulke and Mike Holtz are not making their way back to Boston in the near future. Hopefully, this is only the first trade for pitching the Olde Towne Team will make this season.
***
I’m signing off for the weekend heading to Manchester to check out A.J. Burnett’s rehab start and the few prospects playing for Portland. I’ll be back next week with a report from Manchester and with possible trade targets.
The Red Sox reacquired lefthanded reliever, Javier Lopez from the Other Sox for relief version of Matt Clement (great stuff but WTF) or as he is better known - David Riske. Lopez was selected in the Rule V draft in 2002 by the Sox, but he was traded to Colorado before the season started. The Front Office opted to keep their other southpaw pick, Matt White. White was a disaster while Lopez flourished in Denver in 2003.
Over the last two seasons, Lopez has dealt with control issues, which has severely limited his effectiveness. If his numbers in Charlotte this season is any indication, six walks in 33 innings (26 K’s too), he could be helpful as a Lefty One Out GuY (LOOGY). From the Sox press release, it seems they see Lopez as their LOOGY.
He has held lefthanded hitters to a .171 (6-35) batting average and has a groundball/flyball ratio of 64/25 (72%), the latter ranking second best in the International League and fourth best in all of professional baseball (MLB and minors) among pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched.
The acquisition could also be a sign that Keith Foulke and Mike Holtz are not making their way back to Boston in the near future. Hopefully, this is only the first trade for pitching the Olde Towne Team will make this season.
***
I’m signing off for the weekend heading to Manchester to check out A.J. Burnett’s rehab start and the few prospects playing for Portland. I’ll be back next week with a report from Manchester and with possible trade targets.